otr

username checks out...

I'm sure there are mods (https://mods.factorio.com/) like that, and if not feel free to write one (https://wiki.factorio.com/Modding#Creating_mods).

edit: now that I think about it factorio is purposely deterministic because otherwise it would break multiplayer almost totally.

That idea is present in the Rainbows End by Vernor Vinge. Basically search engines and the use of discussion forums to find information becomes a subject in schools etc. Though this is not the main point of the novel at all.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbows_End

I think when it comes to news it just ends up being another skinner box for me. Reload the page/pull the lever whatever you want to call it. You almost always will find another story that's interesting. But, almost always it will just be another fluff-filled piece about some topic.

You could have been both: https://dilbert.com/strip/1998-11-21