Algorithm is God

The concept of fame is a byproduct of media. And media has radically changed over the course the past 200 years:

📚 In the 1800’s…

Print media (books and newspapers) made it difficult to become famous. You had to be literate which was rare at the time. You had to have access to publication companies and there were not many back in the day. And of course you had to be a great writer, which could take decades to develop. 

🎥 In the 1900’s…

Broadcast media (TV and film) changed everything. It was still quite difficult for most people to break into this format. You had to have a very specific look (usually white, thin, very traditionally good looking). And you had to have access to the key decision makers (agents, producers, directors, etc).

📱 The 2000’s…

The internet age and social media in particular radically changed the media game. Now, EVERYONE has free access to their very own TV channel. The platforms want to promote you and spread your content to the world and anyone has the chance of becoming MEGA FAMOUS. 

But in reality nothing is ever free, and here there is a cost:

In order to play the game, we must obey. 

The algorithms of these platforms have set rules or commandments that we must follow if we want to become famous and successful. 

And while I don’t think seeking fame is necessarily a bad thing, my concern is the power these algorithms hold over us. 

Over the course of a few months, I’ve seen business leaders, artists, and entire industries shift their content strategies and started pointing their fingers and dancing in videos. All because the algorithm rewarded those who did.

I did the same. I shifted my creative strategy. In the past 5 months, I have grown my TikTok by over 140,000 followers because I was an obedient creator. 

And still, something about this dynamic really fucking bothers me. I can feel the ever-present influence of the algorithm now seeping into in my creative process all the time and it feels suffocating.

Anyone else feel it too?