One constant in our ongoing civilization is a continuous branching of complexity. Assuming civ continues, how does your entertainment become more tailored to you as you imagine it?
Decades ago I wanted a game where a world building economy game, industry and domestic simulators, real time war strategy, and a first person shooter that bridges to an adventure/explorer were all combined into one. This is a game where all of these roles could be filled by autonomous AI characters, but where recruiting and filling roles creates dynamic complexity that is advantageous for all. Each layer of gameplay dictates the constraints of the next while interactions across layers are entertaining and engaging for all.
It does not need to be gaming. What can you imagine for entertainment with tailored complexity?
The trouble with this is you will never stumble onto something you had no idea you liked.
For instance, I’m not a fan of metal music or folk music. If there was a gatekeeper I would have never heard Mongolian metal band The HU.
https://youtu.be/jM8dCGIm6yc
That’s a great song. Their cover of The Trooper is amazing as well. Any other recommendations from their songs?
I mean ironically “the algorithm” is this but with curating instead creating content and people talk about being surprised all the time.
Most models introduce a little bit of randomness or boundary pushing precisely for the reason you mentioned
I think of it this way.
I read people talking about the huge differences in styles between 2024 and 2000 and how everything changed.
Then I look at the styles in 1960 and 1984 and see really big changes.
The algorithm is going to err on the side of what I’ve already liked. It’s not going to jump in with something totally off the wall.
It can even be worse - pigeonhole you and only offer what it thinks your demographic wants.
My music tastes are a bit of everything, but I listened to a bit of classic rock and now it only wants to give me that and conservative podcasts
I started watching YouTube recently but it really seems to have pigeonholed me very differently than what I’ve followed
I might want to read a bunch of Sherlock Holmes stories in a row. It’s going to take the algorithm years to realize that was a one time binge.
Yes and no right? Again randomness or “temperature” is pretty standard
“The same thing every day” is likely to appeal to few.
The echo chamber effect or honestly the worse effect showing just the worst of people you disagree with, is a real issue though. Kind of an effect of selection bias though too
What a great description of creativity!
Back in the day, variety shows and Top 40 Radio did a great job of exposing people to new talent.
These days, the internet gives us exactly what we ask for.