Hello, and welcome back to In Pursuit of Quality.
Across our expansive digital ocean, we face a critical question: Are we merely floating adrift, or are we actively steering our own course? Today, we explore the essence of our humanity—the power to make choices—and how it's challenged by the homogenizing forces of omnipresent algorithms and the “blanding” of culture at large.
I am obsessed with our ability to make choices. Along with making sense of our chaotic worlds and making changes that align to shifting life circumstances and values, I see making choices as one of our greatest human gifts. And it's a key ingredient to pursuing a life of quality.
I'm not alone in this obsession. Kyle Chayka, a writer for The New Yorker, published an article about how the internet is becoming more boring due to the dominance of leading social networks.1 He's since appeared on podcasts in support of an upcoming book on the topic.2 Chayka's arguments raise questions about the nature of choice and personal freedom in an age where big data tells us what to eat, watch, hear, read, and buy.
How can we transcend this sea of sameness?
The Illusion.
I've been trying to get my head around a paradox. The internet is insurmountably big, growing more expansive by the hour; so, there's more content to choose from than we could consume in a hundred lifetimes. But as the long tail grows, online experiences are increasingly curated by algorithms to help us sort through the noise. So, are we making choices about what to consume? Or are those choices influenced by what others like, served up through machine learning?
The algorithms I'm talking about are the ones that predict and cater to our preferences, giving us "For You" tabs across social media, match scores on Netflix, and AI playlists on Spotify. They create the powerful illusion that we're picking what we personally want rather than what's actually happening—the algorithms funnel as many people as possible into as few choices as possible. So, we're presented with a highly curated internet. One that echoes our thoughts and preferences, but that leads us into a sea of sameness; a world where diversity of content and thought is drowned out by the repetitive waves of the familiar and popular.
Are we really making choices, or are we being steered by the invisible hand of algorithmic influence?
It's Personal.
My tenure working at YouTube, Spotify, and Instagram gave me a front-row seat to the power of algorithms in shaping preference. But a realization struck me—the content being fed to me felt repetitively dull. These suggestions, though seemingly tailored, were narrowing my digital horizon. Dull content was making me a dull human. This epiphany was a wake-up call. And it wasn't just about digital choices; it extended to the broader cultural landscape. Just look at the highest-grossing movies over the past decade. It reveals a pattern of sequels and remakes—a reflection of collective tastes shaped more by consensus than by originality3:
Are we choosing to see these movies because we love them? Or do they break records simply because they're popular, boosted by the mechanisms of review aggregators and social buzz? We can't know those answers. But we can reclaim our right to choose.
Reclaiming Choice.
Our ability to make choices is central to our human identity and experience. To transcend this sea of sameness, we need to exercise our right to choose:
GO MANUAL — While aggregators and algorithms are super helpful, set aside time for manual discovery. Whether it's music, movies, or reading, actively seek out new and diverse experiences beyond algorithmic suggestions.
DIG DEEPER — Recognize the role of algorithms, but don't let them be the sole arbiters of choice. Take a little time to reflect on what truly resonates with you. Then, apply that knowledge to guide the algorithms to take you even deeper to uncover hidden gems.
DRIVE QUALITY — Remember that our individual choices shape the collective digital landscape. We're the product. By prioritizing discernment and quality, we can serve as a beacon to guide others toward more meaningful content experiences. Algorithms give us more, but personal choice gives us better.
The Call-to-Action.
Being intentional in our actions really matters. As we embrace 2024, let's acknowledge the power we hold in our clicks and taps. Each conscious choice is a step towards a richer, more authentic digital experience. Steering our own course in this vast sea is not just an act of defiance against the algorithms. It's a commitment to the pursuit of quality in our lives.
With warmth, respect, and gratitude.
https://www.newyorker.com/culture/infinite-scroll/why-the-internet-isnt-fun-anymore
Drops on January 16, 2024: https://www.amazon.com/Filterworld-How-Algorithms-Flattened-Culture/dp/0385548281
If you’re curious: Barbie would be #11 on this list, grossing $1.446 billion as of January 10, 2024.
Love this. I've been thinking about this a lot - especially when it comes to music. Spotify and their playlists have really narrowed the opportunity for music discovery. The monotony of this, and so much other content uninspiredly (yes...i just used that non-word) presented to me, has made go on the hunt for fresh content...similar how I approached finding content for the homepage in the early days of YT. I've noticed that I've used substack more and more to find new content. And this post just gave me the permission to actually dedicate time to exploring content in my old school "coolhunter" style. TY!
Love the call to action: Be Intentional. Discover the value of your unique inquiries!