The Intersection of Music, Technology, and Anthropology

Algorithms run our lives these days, from Netflix binges to predictive policing. And that includes algorithmic  recommenders––like Spotify's Discover Weekly and Pandora––that shape how we consume music. How does algorithmic music recommendation work and, perhaps more importantly, who makes it work? After all, algorithms are made and tweaked by people, who work at tech companies and have their own ideas and values.  An interview with anthropologist Nick Seaver, who has conducted years of ethnographic fieldwork to understand who creates algorithmic recommenders, and why they do what they do.

Nick Seaver is assistant professor of anthropology at Tufts University.

Show notes and more over at soundexpertise.org!

Questions? Thoughts? Share them with Will on Twitter @seatedovation