18 Comments
User's avatar
Hans Jorgensen's avatar

I remember the "algorithm" of going to a book store and seeing what was on the display table (I'm that old). Thanks for sharing your mindedness here to focus our mindfulness.

Nadine's avatar

And realising how influenced we are by colour and fonts?!

David ☕'s avatar

All those selfies on video thumbnails…

David ☕'s avatar

Ooo - those were the good old days - I loved when the bookshops had sales

Tina Worthing's avatar

The only thing I watch on YouTube (except for when I need an instructional video or two) is your Pastel Painting channel - honest - I don't really do much on social media - as a result I think it doesn't quite know what to do with me when I do stray! I love Time Team, we used to watch it religiously - perhaps I should try it again see if it still holds the same charm.

Sophie S.'s avatar

This is such an interesting observation and I had a similar thing a while ago when I blocked all shorts on YouTube and decide to no longer scroll the homepage, so similarly I found myself in a place where I had to actually search for stuff to find something to watch. And I came to the conclusion that "oh there's actually not that much I really feel like I have to watch right now". It was oddly freeing.

David ☕'s avatar

That’s exactly it @Sophie S. - that odd feeling of freedom is what made me wonder if I had self-imprisoned myself in relying on the algorithm 🤗☕

Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

I have a little list of my favorite writers and visit them frequently then go to visit the people who engage those people with wise comments. I find it quite effective for finding new writers. The scroll of course can be very seductive though I have never been caught by utube. I love this post, David. It made me think again about how I find new people and new things to read. Since I have been in Australia I have started watching Netflix in the evenings - what a bad move! - there is so much shit on there that I went back and began Peaky Blinders from the beginning!! HA! I have never watched Time Team - so what are you reading?

David ☕'s avatar

Actually I’ve just finished a book by @Tina Worthing called Oops I got promoted - now what? It was great and I’ve bought 2 more as gifts for new leaders I know.

I’ve since learned that YouTube never completely clears your watchlist - I watched one subscriber video - refreshed the home page and there were all the old suspects and topics I’ve watched before - like walking out of a casino into a casino - same old slot machines waiting to be pulled

Algorithms are creating digital obesity and laziness - why go looking for fresh food when there’s an abundant artificial buffet that tastes like yesterday served up all the time

Tina Worthing's avatar

I couldn’t ask for a better testimonial that this. Thank you @David ☕

Cecilia At The Kitchens Garden's avatar

Digital obesity - what a descriptive line!

Alexander Andrews's avatar

I'm with Hans below......those were the days, a favorite outing to the bookstore and a review if the "feed" on the display table. My YouTube is all served up for me by my algo and my LinkyLand rely on notifications - in other words, I use different filters for different platforms. That said, the other day I was bored of what YouTube dished up so I hit the "refresh button"......low and behold, it returned EXACTLY the same content! lol

David ☕'s avatar

LOL - I was getting the same results from refresh as well which led me to nuke it and start again - there used to be a lovely book shop down Jetty road in Glenelg we used to enjoy - bought a few excellent ones there off the tables

Alexander Andrews's avatar

It kinda defeats the purpose of the refresh button doesn't it?! ha ha.. Yes I think I know the one, there was one in the city called "Mary Martin" - lots of bargains and an extensive range, sadly, no more!

Nadine's avatar

Hard to beat a Time Team episode, but I applaud your fresh start!

David ☕'s avatar

Fortunately I’ve watched them all so many times I can now go to sleep to them

Nadine's avatar

It's not like you'll miss anything anyway, it'll still be history tomorrow 😉

David ☕'s avatar

Yes I now need to rewatch 2 episodes from this afternoon which did their magic on me