Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture by Kyle Chayka

3.79 AVERAGE

rainbowwitchling's profile picture

rainbowwitchling's review against another edition

3.0
informative
agmbrooke's profile picture

agmbrooke's review against another edition

2.0
informative slow-paced
a good primer on why phones are bad for us, but probably better as an introduction

oliviazarroli's review against another edition

4.0
Had me running around the apartment reading passages aloud to my boyfriend with concerning vigor. Chayka def verges on “old man yelling at cloud” at some points but if you let him finish he gets there eventually. Definitely has me thinking about my relationship with ~the algorithm~ as someone who has grown up in an internet almost entirely associated with it.

Also the third book I’ve read in 2024 that references Rachel cusk I fear I have a type…….

And bonus points for the DC references <3 <3 <3

mlreads3522's review against another edition

4.0
challenging informative fast-paced
Thought provoking work on how much we rely on algorithms and apps to influence what we do and who we are.

leannenufc's review against another edition

4.0
challenging informative reflective slow-paced

chibitsy's review against another edition

4.5
informative reflective medium-paced
surefinewhatever_'s profile picture

surefinewhatever_'s review against another edition

4.0
I thoroughly enjoyed this exploration of taste in a world defined by algorithms. A nice pairing with How To Do Nothing by Jenny Odell, though I would argue, this was a stronger/better supported argument. Really gave me so much to chew on, I’m glad this book exists!
calenonemacher's profile picture

calenonemacher's review against another edition

4.0
challenging informative reflective medium-paced
This book caused me to examine how I'm being influenced by the apps I use (Spotify and Google News in particular) and to be more intentional about what algorithms I allow in my app usage. I know we can't really opt out of the technology currently on offer, but living with more intention seems possible. This is one of the reasons I moved away from Goodreads and over to StoryGraph. StoryGraph also uses algorithms for book recommendations, but I like that the founder and her team are building a product that is more respectful of my data and seems to be prioritizing my interests/user experience instead of their profits. 

joga's review against another edition

3.0
informative slow-paced

dirtcult's review against another edition

4.25
challenging dark hopeful informative reflective medium-paced