This puts into words a feeling I've had around content assimilation particularly with memes on IG/TikTok - people who are funneled into certain content streams based on their networks not only are not choosing for themselves, but as a result this collective "personality" starts to develop. We agree on things that are acceptable to like, and things that we should dislike. It's the total internalization of this process that's the scariest part, because one day you're just like "yeah I agree with that or I like this and not that" and don't question how that preference came about.
haha yes of course, I have written a bunch of times on this topic too and agree - but if we're talking about making/finding music or literature, that may involve some purchasing
"As you go about your life, ask yourself: are you really making your own choices? How sure are you?"
A thought I unfortunately cycle through my thoughts daily, except in fear of the Sam Harris/Determinism lens and not the normie cultural one, haha. Great piece Adam, couldn't agree more
“We’ve never had more freedom, more choices. But in reality, most people are subtly funneled into the same streams, the same pools of ‘socially approved’ culture, cuisine and ideas.” Amen — fight the algorithms, those pervasive weapons of math destruction, by daring and daring well. Living a perfectly authentic life may well be an asymptote but it’s one worth attacking hard and fast.
This puts into words a feeling I've had around content assimilation particularly with memes on IG/TikTok - people who are funneled into certain content streams based on their networks not only are not choosing for themselves, but as a result this collective "personality" starts to develop. We agree on things that are acceptable to like, and things that we should dislike. It's the total internalization of this process that's the scariest part, because one day you're just like "yeah I agree with that or I like this and not that" and don't question how that preference came about.
Rather than finding your antidote for group think by “going shopping for yourself”… my suggestion would be to put away your wallet and just look up!
There is an amazing (and horrible, scary, and beautiful) world of people places and things to experience that isn’t consumer based.
Just put down your phone and look up!
haha yes of course, I have written a bunch of times on this topic too and agree - but if we're talking about making/finding music or literature, that may involve some purchasing
"As you go about your life, ask yourself: are you really making your own choices? How sure are you?"
A thought I unfortunately cycle through my thoughts daily, except in fear of the Sam Harris/Determinism lens and not the normie cultural one, haha. Great piece Adam, couldn't agree more
Yeah sure but scaling it up to everything is kinda nihilism, you have agency and can choose to do things
Bravo 👏🏼
If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking." - Haruki Murakami
Great post
I responded to the idea that being a "thoughtful creator" will help you become a better curator of whatever type of information you're interested in.
“We’ve never had more freedom, more choices. But in reality, most people are subtly funneled into the same streams, the same pools of ‘socially approved’ culture, cuisine and ideas.” Amen — fight the algorithms, those pervasive weapons of math destruction, by daring and daring well. Living a perfectly authentic life may well be an asymptote but it’s one worth attacking hard and fast.