Attention is all they need

Today, let’s veer away from the world-altering article and models to discuss something equally pervasive but often overlooked: recommendation systems. Although these systems are omnipresent across the websites I frequent—suggesting what I "might like" and filtering out what I "might not"—their varying algorithms can lead to some amusing paradoxes. For instance, I have a distinct preference for crisp apples over mushy ones, but it’s unlikely that any recommendation system could discern such subtle distinctions. And then, there’s the almost comical scenario where after purchasing a refrigerator, e-commerce platforms continue to bombard me with deals on more refrigerators.

However, what I’m keen to delve into today isn’t just the flaws inherent in these systems. I recently came across an article by a neuroscientist discussing how to monetize our dopamine levels. He will never say, “We can make money off your dopamine.” Modern social platforms and video websites are adept at converting our attention into advertising revenue through mechanisms like short videos and the pull-to-refresh feature. It’s no wonder the title of this blog post is “Attention is All They Need.”

The landscape of fame has shifted dramatically. In the past, becoming a celebrity might have required a particular skill or talent. Today, it seems to be more about capturing and maintaining the audience’s fleeting attention. Quick edits, high saturation, and overt displays that cause both visual fatigue and pollution seem to serve as a sort of narcotic for our nervous systems—they’re addictive and ultimately, quite futile.

The internet once exposed me to unknown places, unfamiliar jobs, and ways of living from past eras that I had never considered. I could explore fields I’d never stepped into and acquire knowledge I was eager to understand. Now, even if you show interest in something as niche as the Fibonacci sequence, you’re more likely to be recommended a slew of short videos on how to quickly multiply 43 by 23. Clearly, the minds behind these recommendation algorithms are not fools, but the systems they’ve created are far from perfect. In this highly automated age, finding truly meaningful content often requires sifting through more noise than ever before.

Maybe it’s just the overwhelming number of cat memes recommended on the homepage of my video streaming service, but sometimes, I can't help but voice my grievances.

Until next time, peace out.