How algorithms make people, places, and ideas boring (podcast)

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Michael speaks with Kyle Chayka, who is one of his favorite thinkers on technology and how it’s changing our lives—what we see and experience and how we live.

Kyle is the author of Filterworld: How Algorithms Flatten Our Culture, an exceedingly thought-provoking book.

Kyle and Michael cover:

* A rapid-fire where Kyle reveals his death row meal, the best and most annoying parts of writing for the New Yorker, what he learned from his dog, and more.

* How algorithms influence our cultural experiences and lead to a “sameness” in culture worldwide.

* Kyle gives a great example of how the “look” of hip coffee shops worldwide is similar due to Instagram algorithms.

* How algorithms actually work.

* How algorithms filter content based on engagement metrics and what we gain and lose by prioritizing “engagement.” This alters everything from the friends we stay in touch with to the health information we see to the places we go.

* How algorithms are changing content:

* Kyle gives the example of how the rise of TikTok has changed how music is being created.

* Why algorithms often lead online creators to create increasingly extreme content.

* How algorithms incentivize useless and extreme health information.

* The strange rise of videos featuring someone doing something boring while talking about something heinous. E.g. A video of someone knitting with a voiceover saying, “When I was seven, a truck driver brutally murdered my neighbor and ever since then 18-wheelers have become triggering for me …”

* Why getting a recommendation from a human is often more trustworthy and interesting.

* How to be more mindful of the media you consume. This will help you find more interesting and useful media.

* Why understanding the business model behind content is crucial for consumers. “If you’re not paying for media, you’re the product.”

* Why directly supporting artists and creators often leads to better and more diverse work.