[specialist]

I don't equate curation with recommenders.

Back in 1989, when Byte Magazine was warning us of "infoglut", I decided that the most valuable job was the editor. I've seen no reason to change my mind since.

I ran the hub of a BBS network, moderated numerous forums, have run a few user / study groups, published a few zines / newsletters, was a (terrible) radio DJ, etc. I even work on recommenders for my day job.

I remain unimpressed. I've tried to be open minded about automated curation. But I've decided recommenders, as we know them, have topped out.

[Bensch]

Recommenders and editors are both curators. My comment also doesn't recommend algorithmic curation, except in linking tribal members.

[specialist]

What's the algorithm for taste, opinion, intuition, judgement, exploration, novelty, criticism?

Machine learning-based recommenders are just feedback loops, automated groupthink.

---

Aha. It's worse than that. Today's recommenders are merely accelerated preferential attachment. aka Fads.

Thanks, articulating myself has been a useful exercise.

[Bensch]

I think you're confusing "algorithm" with "curation".

[specialist]

So you do understand! Terrific.