I’m one of those hipsters who doesn’t use streaming services.
I did, a while ago, but I quit using them because the experience is kind of awful, and I’m happier now for it. I collect physical media and watch it using Jellyfin on my Linux-based home theater PC, and I’m completely satisfied with how it works.
I’m making this video because I am really troubled by algorithmic helplessness, and I feel like corporate-centralized streaming media makes that worse. Maybe this video will encourage someone else to cut the cord and rediscover an appreciation for owning your media and being choosy about what to “watch next”. Or maybe I’m just wasting time. Who knows? I suppose, you know, you’re reading this description, right?
If you read the description, say “algorithmic helplessness sucks” in the comments. That’ll make me feel better.
I’m commenting on literally being watched though, so let’s say you get up to go to the bathroom after your first bite the chef marks that as ‘didn’t like his burger’ because you took a bite (watched 1 episode) and didn’t continue to binge eat the burger (binge the whole season by the end of the month), BAM because you had a life event you couldn’t control, you now hate the burger and hate the show.
This is not a fun way to consume anything.
I mean… depending on how new an item is and what “tier” the restaurant is? They are 100% watching for stuff like that and probably making a note that you got up after eating only a quarter of your burger. Because if the burger were good, you would want to finish it. Is it too sloppy? Did you feel the need to wash your hands mid bite? Did it make you nauseous?
Same with taking out your phone. Does it look like you are telling a friend what a great burger you had? Or are you feeling bloated and trying to digest a bit before you eat more?
This level of market analysis is not at all new. Streaming services just have a much easier time automating it but… give it time until startups are selling cameras to monitor the dining area and automate analytics based on who ordered what and did what.
I guess I should put more mindfulness into how I’m consuming restaurant food then, lol either way I think we can put this hypothetical to bed.
Or you know, don’t? And just live your life.
Because it only matters at an aggregate level. The restaurant won’t change anything for one customer.
That was my polite way of ending the conversation, I disagreed with the person, but I got tired of arguing about the metaphore and burgers, etc with someone who was clearly not gonna let this go.
“I don’t like being watched while consuming anything, really.”
“Yeah, but bro, you’re too stupid to realize why they’re doing it, let me tell you why!”