The Good + The Evil + The Messy Middle

Every Breath You Take + Every Click You Make = Algorithms Will Be Watching You

Algorithms are the unseen kings of the digital jungle. They decide what we see, what we click, and how much time we lose falling down yet another rabbit hole. And while AI might be the shiny new buzzword, algorithms have been curating our online worlds for a long time now.

If memory serves, Facebook’s News Feed started the trend back in 2006—when poking was still a thing—and since then, the tech has only gotten savvier (and sneakier). It’s not just news sites benefiting from these unseen forces; almost every media platform now uses algorithms to shape your experience. Every media platform.

Let’s start with the “good” algorithms. Based on my experience, Bluesky, Substack, and Tumblr fall into this camp. Their goal? To help you discover content and creators you’ll enjoy without trapping you in an endless loop. They prioritize connection and curiosity over control and addiction.

Now, let’s talk about the “evil” algorithms. Meta’s trifecta imperfecta of platforms—Facebook, Instagram, and Threads—are classic villains. Their algorithms don’t just want your attention; they want to control it. They serve you just enough dopamine to keep you posting and scrolling while locking you into whatever echo chamber they think you belong in. Forget what or who you want to see in your feed; it’s all about what and who Fuckerberg and his crew think will keep you on the platform longest.

To be (somewhat) fair, TikTok has a similar reputation—if not worse—but I’ve never ventured into that short-form video jungle myself.

And finally, when we have the messy middle, where platforms like YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) reside.

YouTube’s algorithm is like that unpredictable friend who’s a blast one minute and MIA the next. Whether you’re a creator or a viewer, one day it’s delivering exactly what you want—videos or views—and the next, it leaves you confused and ghosted. YouTube is the ultimate moody, judgmental frenemy: sometimes brilliant, usually frustrating, and always keeping you on your toes with its drama/scare tactics.

As for X/Twitter, it’s a chaos machine. If you want a feed that’s all over the place, it’s your place. During photo research, I’ve encountered some of the vilest content imaginable on the platform—and that’s just in the ads. I recently decided to post there again but turned off comments because, frankly, there’s too much noise. For some, that chaos is worth the clicks. Me? I’ll pass on that.

Long story short: algorithms aren’t new, and they’re definitely not all created equal. Some, like Substack’s, genuinely aim to connect and support. Others, like Meta’s, are built to exploit. And some, like YouTube’s, are just…complicated.

The key is learning how to navigate these systems without letting them dictate your life or distort your reality. Know what you’re working with, and remember: your time and attention is yours to use—or not.

At the end of the day, we’re the ones ultimately in control. Usually.

Thanks for reading!
Clint

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FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Secrets of the Substack algorithm

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ON THIS DAY = DECEMBER 14

BIRTHDAYS

• 1895 = George VI of the United Kingdom

• 1895 = Paul Éluard = French poet and author

• 1924 = Herbert Tobias = German photographer 🌈

• 1908 = Morey Amsterdam = American actor, comedian, and writer

• 1911 = Spike Jones = American singer and bandleader

• 1922 = Don Hewitt = American journalist and 60 Minutes creator

• 1934 = Charlie Hodge = American guitarist and singer

• 1935 = Lee Remick = American actor

• 1935 = Lewis Arquette = American actor, producer, and screenwriter

• 1942 = Dick Wagner = American singer-songwriter

• 1946 = Jobriath = American rock musician and actor 🌈

• 1946 = Michael Ovitz = American talent agent and CAA co-founder

• 1946 = Patty Duke = American actor

• 1948 = Dee Wallace = American actor

• 1948 = Lester Bangs = American writer

• 1952 = John Lurie = American actor, saxophonist, painter, and director

• 1953 = James Grauerholz = American editor and writer 🌈

• 1959 = Bob Paris = American-Canadian bodybuilder and actor 🌈

• 1963 = Cynthia Gibb = American actor and model

• 1988 = Vanessa Hudgens = American actor and singer

• 1989 = Amini Fonua = Tongan swimmer 🌈

EVENTS

• 1918 = Giacomo Puccini's comic opera Gianni Schicchi premieres at the Metropolitan Opera in NYC.

• 1948 = Thomas T. Goldsmith Jr. and Estle Ray Mann receive a patent for their CRT amusement device, the earliest known interactive electronic game.

• 1979 = The Jerk, co-written by and starring Steve Martin, is released in theaters.

• 1980 = French film La Cage aux Folles ends its nineteen-month run at New York City’s 68th Street Playhouse.

• 1988 = The film adaptation of Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song Trilogy is released in theaters.

• 1990 = Mermaids, starring Cher and Winona Ryder, is released in theaters.

• 2017 = The Walt Disney Company announces that it would acquire 21st Century Fox, including the 20th Century Fox movie studio, for $52.4 billion.

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PHOTO + QUOTE OF THE DAY

BOB PARIS BY JOHN BALIK

“Every gay and lesbian person who has been lucky enough to survive the turmoil of growing up is a survivor. Survivors always have an obligation to those who will face the same challenges.”
Bob Paris

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