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Ok I hate posting on the internet, especially when so heady, half baked and idea-guy-like, but this one’s been mulling about for a while and just needs to come out. One of the most beguiling trends I’ve been noticing lately is that it seems like the type of people who claim to be the most anti ai

(for me, my farmer & musician friends) are also where I hear the most enthusiastic praise for recommendation algorithms. One farmer friend is an evangelist for algorithmic online clothes shopping. “If you just like things you think look cool, eventually it starts showing you SUCH cool stuff!”

A long time radio DJ I know was telling me about his friend who runs a successful record label that only does runs of re-releases. I asked how they find such obscure, amazing music. “Oh, he said he just rides the YouTube algorithm.” And even though it’s not as explicit, all of my

friends that are artists, craftspeople, farmers, musicians, etc. etc. are on and seem to be using instagram (a lot!). (This seems to be a uniquely American situation. It might not have been a lasting movement, but half of the Danish indie music scene joined Pixelfed in early 2025.)

The other day, a new DJ at the radio station said how much they loved discovering new music there — outside of an algorithm. I realized this was the first time I’d heard this sentiment in a very long time! Five years ago though, I remember that this was like THE thing. Now…we are converts.