Tag: internet

The Omniscient Algorithms

We live in a society where the algorithms know us better than we know ourselves. They watch what we click, how long we linger, which words make us pause, and what patterns emerge from our choices. In doing so, they build a portrait of us so detailed that it sometimes feels unnervingly intimate, predicting desires we haven’t yet named, and serving them back before we’ve had a chance to notice them rising within us.

There’s a kind of seduction in this. We find comfort in scrolling, receiving what feels like a personalised gift each time a recommendation hits the mark. Music that echoes our moods, films that speak to our tastes, even news curated to confirm our worldviews. All these create a cocoon where life feels smoother, tailored, frictionless. Yet this ease comes at a cost.

The omniscient algorithms aren’t neutral companions but carefully designed systems whose primary aim is to hold our attention, often shaping our wants rather than simply responding to them. They thrive on narrowing our horizons, because the more predictable we are, the easier we are to keep engaged. Over time, we risk mistaking this curated reflection for genuine choice, forgetting that our deepest longings are not meant to be managed by code.

Perhaps the challenge is to remain awake: to enjoy the convenience without surrendering our agency, to let algorithms assist us without allowing them to define us. For in the end, knowing ourselves must always run deeper than what any machine can calculate.

Ad-Free Site

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There’s so much advertising on the Internet that, at times, it can become very distracting and intrusive. To reduce the amount that can overwhelm, I personally use an ad-blocker in my browser, which gives me a generally ad-free experience – but that’s a whole new discussion for another post.

You may have seen the above logo (or similar) on my blog, it appears in the left-hand column a little way down. By using this icon on my website I’m stating that I’m opposed to the use of corporate advertising on blogs and that I feel the use of corporate advertising on blogs devalues the medium; Similarly, I don’t accept money (or goods in kind) in return for anything I publish.

You will never see advertising on this site because I’m opposed to widespread advertising impacting every aspect of our existence; therefore, I’m drawing a line around this ‘personal’ space (deeming it inappropriate for advertising).

What I write is 100% my choice, and I will always seek to be as open and honest as I can. Be assured that my endorsement of anything (whether it’s a product, a book, a piece of art, an idea) comes directly from me and is not influenced by any outside person or organisation.

This is a helpful quote with which to conclude: If we, as a society, lose our voice completely, and corporations start doing all the talking, then we’ll be utterly lost. To some degree, this has already happened. Our ability to envision a future collectively has already been severely compromised. Kalle Lasn

Note: If you appreciate my varied posts, you might like to donate (click on link) towards my running costs. You can choose a one-off payment or a monthly/yearly subscription. Thanks, John.