The Art of Curation cover image

The Art of Curation

Curation is the caretaking of culture 🧿 Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker

Aug 15, 2023
Journalist Kyle Chayka discusses the impact of algorithms on culture and how they are flattening our experiences. He explores ways to detox from algorithms, the value of human curators, the de-influencing trend, and the impact of generative AI. The podcast also explores the unique experiences offered by physical stores and the history of algorithmic feeds. Chayka shares his recommendations in books, furniture, music, and cooking.
39:10

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Algorithmic feeds on digital platforms lead to a homogeneity of tastes and aesthetics, limiting exposure to diverse cultural experiences.
  • To counteract the negative effects of algorithmic feeds, individuals can take a personal algorithmic cleanse and seek out human curators for more meaningful digital experiences.

Deep dives

The Pervasive Influence of Algorithms

Algorithms and algorithmic feeds have taken over our digital consumption, influencing not only our online experiences but also our actions in the physical world. These algorithms optimize for engagement, leading to a highly curated and spoon-fed experience. The result is a homogeneity of tastes and aesthetics, with people guided towards the same objects, styles, or experiences. This phenomenon becomes evident when we notice everyone around us wearing the same jacket that we were also targeted at on Instagram. While recommendation algorithms can introduce us to new things, the broad control they exert over our consumption limits our exposure to challenging, surprising, and meaningful cultural experiences.

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