Earlier, in the seminar, we were talking about Netflix and how television has changed from the 50s-80s, the 80s-90s and the 90s to the present. Firstly, I found it interesting how broad the range was (I mean that’s nearing a forty year span and given how much has changed within my lifespan alone it hardly seems right to – anyway, getting sidetracked) but what really stood out to me was the discussion around ALGORITHMS.

The reason for this is because, despite all the different (and valid and reasoned) arguments being said, they all ran under the same presupposition. That being that The Algorithm^TM is a deeply mysterious and external force that is strictly digital in nature. Which of course is perfectly understandable.

Within the current cultural and technological context, The Algorithm^TM is a term with a rather terrifying connotation. Digital services are harvesting their audiences data, selling it in bulk and then using it to keep audiences engaged to do more of the same thing. No matter how you spin it, it does sound a little nefarious. That said, that isn’t what an algorithm is.

I should say, that isn’t just what an algorithm is. The term The Algorithm^TM encompasses all social media/digital services sites despite how different said algorithms might be. It’s a colloquialism and has taken on a new meaning more than what the original – or should I just say, regular – definition was. And I understand that. Not only do I understand that, I perpetuate it. In most conversations, there isn’t necessarily the need to slow down all conversation so that every term is used in the most pedantic way possible. With that said…

I remember hearing someone say, “I wish we could see our algorithms. I wish we could find it out for ourselves.”

“Point Break or Bad Boys 2?”
“Which one do you think I’d prefer?”
“No I mean which one do you wanna watch first?”

I am surprised that so many are strangers to the legendary “Film Shootout.” I don’t know what other people called it but in my house it was called the Film Shootout. Essentially, you picked out all your DVDs and you put two against each-other. They were all put into brackets, and you determined which out of the two you wanted, moving them on to the next round. Eventually you’d be left with one winner and that would be the film you watched for the night.

This is an algorithm.

Before Netflix and any of the other streaming services, people were still using algorithms to figure out what to watch. Because otherwise… it’s just a bit too difficult init?

Arthur 7/2/26