By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 12/08/2026This is how recommendation systems - and other analytical tools that produce predictions that are then turned into action - force so many diverse phenomena (streets, markets, media recommendations) into sameness. 35/ 1462
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 12/08/2026The fact that these recommenders are self-fulfilling prophecies means that "they don't have to be *right*," only "listened to." 36/ 1503
By Cory Doctorow (GPG 0xBF3D9110957E5F4C) @doctorow.pluralistic.net · 12/08/2026This explains the sameness of London's high streets. Leek examines 640 shopping streets, characterizing 18,000 food places spread out across them, flagging all the chain restaurants. Her analysis shows that any two London streets will, on average, share about half of their "food profile." 37/ 1473
