I've been thinking about the good old days, back when authors only had to worry about what people would think about their search histories. Would our loved ones be mortified? Would we end up on government lists?
I wasn't too concerned. I figured governments had better things to do and my loved ones already knew what I wrote. So who cared, right?
But that was before AI, before the algorithms got all wonky.
Now, I worry that I won't be able to find accurate data because the algorithms want to show me what it thinks I want to see. Now I have to deal with not being able to put research topics to bed when the book is done because some machine has decided I have a personal interest in it.
It's annoying as hell.
I mean, yes; some topics are perennial. Puppy videos will always cheer me up. There will always be another wedding romance or Christmas romance or small town romance that I'll need ideas for. But the majority of topics I've searched for in the past few years are things I'm finished with.
So here are my two top tips for keeping your feeds and timelines as uncluttered as possible. #1: use incognito windows for ANYTHING that's not personal. #2. Once you're done with a topic, resist the urge to click on links or watch videos (no matter how intriguing they appear) that are related to subject you researched in the past.
It'll take awhile, but eventually your timeline will no longer be an endless stream of gender reveal parties, Mormon housewives, cake decorating how-tos, dollhouse renovations, or really gross and disgusting abscesses in horses' hooves.
Or is that just me?
No comments:
Post a Comment