Topic: Curation

Instagram is rolling out new features that allow users to reset or curate their algorithms by specifying topics they want to see more or less of. The update is characterized as a data-gathering tool for Meta to build more detailed user profiles. References are made to Palantir and potential surveillance implications of these social media adjustments.

An exploration of the TikTok app reveals a highly responsive recommendation engine that quickly personalizes content based on user location and initial interactions. After installation, the feed populated with religious content and specific cultural themes, demonstrating the app's ability to curate a "For You" page with minimal input. This personalization is identified as a key factor in the app's addictive nature and its success in building niche communities.

Tim Cook defended Apple's decision to remove certain content and figures, such as Alex Jones, from its platforms, citing a "clear point of view" against hate and violence. Cook explicitly stated that Apple's values drive its curation decisions, particularly regarding white supremacy and "violent conspiracy theorists." Critics pointed to inconsistencies in this policy, noting that music critical of law enforcement remains available on iTunes.

The Apple Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) featured updates to the Apple News app, emphasizing "trusted sources" and human curation by an editorial team. The hosts mock the repetitive "cool" phrasing used by presenters during the keynote. They express skepticism regarding the "curated" nature of the news, suggesting it serves as a form of corporate propaganda.

President Obama sits for a final interview with Rolling Stone's Jan Wenner, conducted the day after the 2016 election. Obama blames the Democratic loss on a "failure to reach voters" and the influence of Fox News in rural areas. He expresses concern over the shift from curated journalism to social media, suggesting a need for a "common set of facts" and better media responsibility.

Interscope Records co-founder Jimmy Iovine is launching a new music service called Daisy, which aims to use algorithms to replicate the curation once provided by radio disc jockeys. In response to the decline of human curation, a plan was proposed to create a new show featuring interviews and performances by street musicians, potentially serving as filler content during host vacations.

The hosts discuss the appeal of their podcast and others like "This Week in Tech" (TWiT). They explain how news stories are curated using the social bookmarking site Delicious. Adam Curry praises John C. Dvorak's diverse experience as the reason listeners are drawn to his commentary on various media platforms.