Algorithms are a Nightmare

I remember when content filtering algorithms first came to the scene they were the hype train. Give us your data and we’ll provide a tool that knows what you want before you get there. This was true but unexpectedly was this something we actually wanted? Do we really want to walk a set trajectory and ignore every spontaneous “not part of the path” experience. It doesn’t take into account the massive ability to be manipulated. You give the information of where you will be at to someone with bad convictions, they will act in bad faith. If a scam artist sees your mind is going through a set of common troupes they can make an educated guess on where your mind will end up at. If they can guide your mind at the right step, then your mind is essentially being controlled. 

Art is also ruined by algorithms. You want your art to be seen. Making something impactful is only a third of the battle. It’s time to be more of a sales man and less an artist. Meet the consumers at the market. That market is the algorithm, and you have no choice but to appease it. As a consumer you are overwhelmed with content. You have thousands thrown in your face all at once with only a title and thumbnail available to make a quick second decision, watch or not? Content used to be accumulated through shared experience, or fed by some higher power (but that’s arguably as bad as algorithms). I believe slow discover is the way it’s meant to be. You don’t want the content to find you at the right time, you want to find it at the right time.