I’ve noticed in the emailing of my posts, some end up in the Junk folder while others cleanly arrive in the Inbox. I’m sure it has something to do with the titles and keywords within, but I find it frustrating an algorithm gets to decide what is junk instead of the reader.
Artists, if they’re not full of hubris, know they don’t get to dictate what people will like. They often experiment and create for their own satisfaction, giving a bit of their soul into every project they tackle. Often, they’re usually surprised at what resonates with people and sometimes, they get overwhelmed at the response and shy away from having to explain their process (e.g. J.D. Salinger).
But yet,
“The algorithm is good at recommending…”
“May we suggest…”
“The people who liked what you’re listening to also listened to to…”
My younger self would often spend hours in the library, wandering around the stacks and pulling random books to see what was inside. It was this serendiptiious discovery that led me to a Monopoly game guide, which had me thinking about statistics in a whole new way. Or, in any way for that matter. However, while sitting in the aisle and reading through the pages, getting ready to borrow the book, I also noticed a section of books that would become my life for a few decades: magic.
Sure, I had seen David Copperfield specials on TV and had an interest in learning, but I couldn’t know that taking one of those books out would lead to a career out of it over a decade later.
Another time, a random conversation with a stranger led me to Terry Goodkind, which then led me to Robert Jordan and my love of the fantasy genre.
A conversation with a friend led me to music I still listen to today. As did conversations with students at the beginning of my teaching career.
Some recommendations of “massively popular” art (books, movies, music, etc.) were not my cup of tea. I didn’t see the appeal and would never recommend them to others. Some of my absolute favourites are too specific and niche to recommend to anyone, but the specific people I know would love them, do.
The issues of the previous generations were breaking into the mainstream media, who dictated popularity. If it was on the radio, or on television, it was ordained. While the Internet was meant to break us free from that funnel, we are right back to where we started.
Except this time, we can ignore what’s offered and decide for ourselves and we should never forget that.
Comments
24 responses to “The Algorithm Decides?”
synthroid medication
synthroid medication
metoprololo
metoprololo
metoclopramide 10 mg tablet
metoclopramide 10 mg tablet
tadalafil 20mg tablets
tadalafil 20mg tablets
doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tab
doxycycline hyclate 100 mg tab
diflucan pill
diflucan pill
lamotrigine 100 mg
lamotrigine 100 mg
mesalamine enemas reviews
mesalamine enemas reviews
finasteride results reddit
finasteride results reddit
semaglutide hoeveel afvallen
semaglutide hoeveel afvallen
doxycycline hyclate how to use
doxycycline hyclate how to use
doxycycline hyclate skincare
doxycycline hyclate skincare
metronidazole gel yeast infection
metronidazole gel yeast infection
toradol short term use explained
toradol short term use explained
ivermectin clinical FAQ
ivermectin clinical FAQ
ivermectin general safety
ivermectin general safety
vardenafil food interactions overview
vardenafil food interactions overview
orlistat medical warnings
orlistat medical warnings
orlistat food compatibility
orlistat food compatibility
orlistat action pathway
orlistat action pathway
penicillin allergy immune mechanisms
penicillin allergy immune mechanisms
Tmax Peak
Tmax Peak
Learn More
Learn More
this explanation of sildenafil’s mechanism
this explanation of sildenafil’s mechanism