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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Our lives are so controlled and dictated by computer algorithms. It’s not necessarily all bad, but it’s wild to realize and think about it.
With our online lives increasingly being dictated by algorithms, recommendations and suggested content, are we losing ourselves? Is culture being flattened into passive content? And when we do find something to truly engage with, are we able to slow down and take the time required to digest and understand it?
These are the kinds of questions brought up in Filterworld, and while the commentary may seem obvious at times, the question remains: can society truly take the steps to protect themselves from algorithmic supremacy, or are we all doomed to watch in horror as everything from music to coffee shops are slowly filtered into homogeneity?
*Note: Kyle Chayka's book is a conversation starter, an opinion piece, and does not use in-depth analysis or academic research. Hopefully that book is being written right now.
These are the kinds of questions brought up in Filterworld, and while the commentary may seem obvious at times, the question remains: can society truly take the steps to protect themselves from algorithmic supremacy, or are we all doomed to watch in horror as everything from music to coffee shops are slowly filtered into homogeneity?
*Note: Kyle Chayka's book is a conversation starter, an opinion piece, and does not use in-depth analysis or academic research. Hopefully that book is being written right now.
Relatively thought provoking about the influence and homogenization of social media, but doesn't provide many insights that aren't already talked about or fairly obvious. I did enjoy it nonetheless and really made me consider my role in the filterworld.
i have many thoughts but i’ll start by saying this is a 2.5 read rounded up.
i can’t say i bought into this fully. his whole thing is like “algorithms are ruining any kind of culture and dulling peoples’ unique taste and it’s the worst thing that’s happening” but like…there’s always been a boring mainstream, and there’s been/going to be fringe culture and pushback against that mainstream culture lmao. regardless of 50 years ago to now, that hasn’t changed. ppl have always been told what they should like (which he acknowledges!! curators and tastemakers, which historically have been white straight cis men so how is that something to mourn??). people who had the time and energy to really dig in and refine their niche tastes can thank their privilege for giving them the free time and resources to do so while everyone else was and is still just trying to survive under capitalism. and honestly i think the diversity of what we are consuming is wider than it ever has been and the things that have historically been gate kept are more accessible than ever. like knowledge and art and cultures from across the world that you’d never get to experience or know about at any previous point in history.
listen. do i think some of his theories hold water? sure. am i going to switch from tidal from spotify? yeah. am i creeped out about AI and want to get off my phone? yes. but i didn’t enjoy this book the longer it went on.
there were also wayyyy too many personal musings and unnecessary pretentious music/art reviews. got so boring about halfway thru it actually made me angry.
personally i’m more scared of how algorithms affect politics and community division than what generic popular coffee shop decor looks like lmao.
and then finally i feel like some of his statements are contradictory - “everyone is consuming the same things!” and “algorithms mold exactly to your unique taste keeping you from exploring other things”
not quite the black and white good vs evil things he’s going for, but like, i get it.
anyway i was relieved when this was over
i can’t say i bought into this fully. his whole thing is like “algorithms are ruining any kind of culture and dulling peoples’ unique taste and it’s the worst thing that’s happening” but like…there’s always been a boring mainstream, and there’s been/going to be fringe culture and pushback against that mainstream culture lmao. regardless of 50 years ago to now, that hasn’t changed. ppl have always been told what they should like (which he acknowledges!! curators and tastemakers, which historically have been white straight cis men so how is that something to mourn??). people who had the time and energy to really dig in and refine their niche tastes can thank their privilege for giving them the free time and resources to do so while everyone else was and is still just trying to survive under capitalism. and honestly i think the diversity of what we are consuming is wider than it ever has been and the things that have historically been gate kept are more accessible than ever. like knowledge and art and cultures from across the world that you’d never get to experience or know about at any previous point in history.
listen. do i think some of his theories hold water? sure. am i going to switch from tidal from spotify? yeah. am i creeped out about AI and want to get off my phone? yes. but i didn’t enjoy this book the longer it went on.
there were also wayyyy too many personal musings and unnecessary pretentious music/art reviews. got so boring about halfway thru it actually made me angry.
personally i’m more scared of how algorithms affect politics and community division than what generic popular coffee shop decor looks like lmao.
and then finally i feel like some of his statements are contradictory - “everyone is consuming the same things!” and “algorithms mold exactly to your unique taste keeping you from exploring other things”
not quite the black and white good vs evil things he’s going for, but like, i get it.
anyway i was relieved when this was over
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
This book changed the way I consume media, and inspired me to intentionally re-engage with old interests lost to before the time of algorithmic suggestions.
hopeful
informative
slow-paced
This book felt a little drawn out, a lot of repetition of the same points in different ways. I appreciated the message overall and the music recommendations.
i got abt an hr and a half in and realized this could’ve been an essay
informative
reflective
medium-paced
This book delves into some unsettling truths regarding algorithmic apps and how they influence culture around the world. It's made me more discerning in how I use my time and how I go about finding new books, movies, music, etc., where before I was more accepting of being spoon-fed content.
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced