4 ms·

That Hit Song You Love Was a Total Fluke

• derbOac 2y ago
  I remember that study when it was published and was always surprised it didn't have more impact at large. It seemed critically important for a number of fields. Ironic, really.
  • gradus_ad 2y ago
    There is clearly some benefit to cumulative returns of the sort measured in this study. Signaling that leads to "the rich getting richer" reduces friction and transaction costs, allows resources (capital, attention) to be allocated to those who can most profitably use it. So to some extent we would want the rich to get richer. But there is some point where snowballing success becomes counterproductive and enables rent seeking laziness.
    • vik0 2y ago
      I think you will enjoy reading about mediocristan and extremistan, mentioned in the Black Swan by Taleb. Great book all around really (as well as the entire book series too)
• droidist2 2y ago
  It reminds me of how media folks always explain to us that people want celebrity gossip and reality shows rather than substantive programming. Do they really or are they just responding to what's popular/promoted?