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That Netflix is even involved in the art of recommendations speaks to the challenge of monetizing independent voices. I find it fascinating the desire that our

That Netflix is even involved in the art of recommendations speaks to the challenge of monetizing independent voices. I find it fascinating the desire that our storefronts be the place where optimal suggestions are found. It's anachronistic, as if we're still rolling up to chat with the mattress vendor at Sears. Last century's version of us would see an inherent conflict of interest and instead rely on newspapers, magazines, journalists, reviewers, editors, scholars for our discovery. But the revenue in those vocations is crushed and instead we're sheep among wolves.

MattGaiser 5y ago
To me it is a bit different with Netflix as I have already paid for the product. They aren’t upselling me or anything.
- throwawaycuriou 5y ago
  You're right, my take hits a weak target. It's more relevant for say Amazon or Steam. I find it stark that many folks browse digital stores, while I generally explore articles or videos of unaffiliated experts/curators. I'm still vulnerable to influence, but at least it's not the vendor itself.
  - MattGaiser 5y ago
    One reason is that Amazon does a great job in some categories. I buy my shoes on Amazon and they are by far the best pair I have ever owned. It is one of the first pairs of shoes I have owned where I can walk for hours and not get crazy callouses on my feet and be sore after. A full read on why here (the slug doesn't represent the post very well)[0] but the summary is that other stores for selling shoes don't let me break down my search by detailed options, particularly width. [0] https://gaiser.io/amazon-is-winning-as-everyone-else-isnt-trying/ https://gaiser.io/amazon-is-winning-as-everyone-else-isnt-tr... So Amazon is amazing in some categories. We just notice when they drop the ball and have terrible results in other categories. We are so used to finding great stuff that it angers us when we cannot.

MattGaiser 5y ago

To me it is a bit different with Netflix as I have already paid for the product. They aren’t upselling me or anything.

throwawaycuriou 5y ago
You're right, my take hits a weak target. It's more relevant for say Amazon or Steam. I find it stark that many folks browse digital stores, while I generally explore articles or videos of unaffiliated experts/curators. I'm still vulnerable to influence, but at least it's not the vendor itself.
- MattGaiser 5y ago
  One reason is that Amazon does a great job in some categories. I buy my shoes on Amazon and they are by far the best pair I have ever owned. It is one of the first pairs of shoes I have owned where I can walk for hours and not get crazy callouses on my feet and be sore after. A full read on why here (the slug doesn't represent the post very well)[0] but the summary is that other stores for selling shoes don't let me break down my search by detailed options, particularly width. [0] https://gaiser.io/amazon-is-winning-as-everyone-else-isnt-trying/ https://gaiser.io/amazon-is-winning-as-everyone-else-isnt-tr... So Amazon is amazing in some categories. We just notice when they drop the ball and have terrible results in other categories. We are so used to finding great stuff that it angers us when we cannot.