"Exploring 'Filterworld' by Kyle Chayka: A Critical Review"

In his new book "Filterworld," New Yorker writer Kyle Chayka argues that algorithms have "flattened culture" by promoting the least disruptive and least meaningful pieces of culture, eroding personal taste and turning it into consumerism. Chayka advocates for depending more on word-of-mouth recommendations and cultivating personal taste through time and effort, but his argument feels unhelpful in addressing the larger problem of tech monopolies and discriminatory practices. While successful in documenting the frustrating impact of algorithms on modern life, Chayka's focus on "taste" seems to overlook the broader issues of power and profit within the capitalist system.