The algorithm failed music
- The author shares their personal story of how they used to buy new CDs every Tuesday at a music store called Other Music.
- The ritual involved buying multiple CDs, even if there weren’t any new releases that week he was looking forward to.
- The author reflects on the joy and discovery they found in this pre-digital music-buying experience.
- The story is used as an introduction to a larger theme of breaking free from algorithms and discovering things you love.
- The article invites readers to follow Terrence O’Brien for more insights on how to do so, with a link to subscribe to The Stepback newsletter.
This is The Stepback, a weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world. For more on how to break free of the algorithm and discover things you love, follow Terrence O’Brien. The Stepback arrives in our subscribers’ inboxes at 8AM ET. Opt in for The Stepback here.
How it started
I used to have this ritual. Every Tuesday, I would get off the train at 8th Street on my way home from work. I would pop into Other Music, buy a new CD (or three…) and then walk the rest of the way to the Staten Island Ferry listening to my new CD. Even if there wasn’t a new record out that week that I was looking forward to, I would buy som …
Read the full story at The Verge.
Q. What is The Stepback?
A. A weekly newsletter breaking down one essential story from the tech world.
Q. Who is Terrence O’Brien?
A. He is mentioned as someone who can help readers break free of algorithms and discover things they love.
Q. Where does The Stepback arrive in subscribers’ inboxes?
A. At 8AM ET.
Q. What was the author’s pre-algorithm ritual?
A. They would buy new CDs at Other Music on their way home from work every Tuesday.
Q. Why did the author enjoy buying CDs at Other Music?
A. Because they loved listening to music and discovering new records.
Q. Where is the author from?
A. The text doesn’t explicitly state where the author is from, but it mentions a train stop (8th Street) and a ferry ride (Staten Island Ferry), which suggests they may be in New York City.
Q. What can readers do to break free of algorithms like The Stepback?
A. Follow Terrence O’Brien for more information on how to discover things you love.
Q. How can readers get The Stepback newsletter?
A. They can opt-in for it here.