Thoughts on Pagemelt's "be your own algorithm" and my media consumption
"We make the world, and we can make it differently."
Finally finished watching pagemelt’s “Be your own algorithm" video and man, it was so needed. I'll be the first to admit that I am very guilty and falling into the genre of "Internet is bad and here's an Internet video telling you the Internet is bad" videos. Whether they are dissecting how the latest micro trend is killing the sea turtles or how we're about to slowly lose brain power due to an all consuming AI that's just around the corner, they’re everywhere. If you've ever ventured into these videos, you know how intoxicating they are. It feels like you and the creator are the only people in the world who are woken up to the fact that social media is not great for mental health. Of course, this isn't a new sentiment. But, often times creators are able to craft videos that make it feel like a brand new realization. And no hate to these creators, most videos that I've seen are well thought out and well researched. But I have fallen into the rabbit hole of nihilistic anti-Internet content.
This year I have changed my media consumption almost completely. I deleted TikTok (which was a big deal at the time), began rationing my Instagram consumption, and tried to replace it with media that was less overwhelming. Going to sites where the UI is less colorful and simulating; and sites where I can trace the creation back to a creator (i.e. no bots).
So, I switched over to Tumblr for my main social media platform. The UI is calmer and I have found that I have much more control over what I see. Unlike instagram, where almost everything I do is public to my irl friends, family, and workpalce, Tumblr provides a certin anonymity I enjoy. (I am under no delusion that anything I do on the Internet is completely anonymous, but I don’t advertise my Tumblr). I have also taken back up crosswords and sudoku! It provides the same stimulation I get from scrolling without the side effects. Funny how that works. I’ve changed my consumption of podcasts from hours long political commentary, to a 15 minute ‘news of the day’ podcast and when I’m craving something longer I listen to This American Life or Dear Hank and John. This has helped alot with my stress throughout the week. I also mainly watch Dropout, I’ve been a big fan of Dimension 20 for a few years now and when I’m watching it I know that I’m supporting a company who takes care of their artists.
What I'm working towards is being intentional about the content I consume. “You are who you surround yourself with” and I don't want to be an amalgamation of our mainstream polarized media environment.
I think Pagemelt’s video did a great job of vocalizing many of these feelings that have been going through my mind this past year. Because, I don't want to leave the Internet, I don't want to completely unplug. I grew up with access to forums and video games. I've never known the world without instant message. I can’t single-handedly force giant companies to behave a certin way. Can’t make them give me a user experience that both adds to my community, but also doesn't take away from the community as I have off-line. That won’t make them money./
But, I can use the same systems that they use to craft an online world that works for me.
"Computers are a tool, the internet is a tool, and you can decide how to use them." -Pagemelt 2025
So thats what I’m doing here. That’s what I hope to do in other corners of the internet. And I am so glad I have found people and platforms trying to do the exact same thing.
-B
Watch the vid! Pagemelt's be your own algorithm
Pagemelt's indie website! https://pagemelt.zone