Episode
We're rejecting the algorithm | Episode 45
- Podcast
- Gods, Ghosts & UFOs
- Published
- Jan 21, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 2437
- Processing state
not_requested
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Summary
Today, we’re doing something ambitious and maybe a little bit stupid, but hopefully the right kind of stupid. We’re rejecting the algorithm. No clips for the feeds. No farming for engagement. Because social media is antisocial. Tom wrote a book about the Chapel Hill music scene in the ‘90s. Before discoverability tools and doomscrolling. Before music became something you listen to by yourself. Back when people listened together, and told their friends. After all, word of mouth is the OG algorithm. So that’s how we’re gonna do it. It’ll be slower, but it’ll be better. So go tell your friends, and come on up to the house. ~~~NEWS!~~~ We’ll be having our first virtual hangout next week for all paid subscribers and Patreon supporters — speaking of which: THIS IS THE LINK TO OUR PATREON1st 100 people get Founder status for $4/month for life. You might be wondering what the difference will be between Patreon and Substack.Here’s the breakdown: Paid supporters of either will get access to ad-free episodes and epilogues. For the Patreon folks, there will be more bonus video content, as well as access to a private Discord, which we will be launching as soon as the first 100 people sign up. On Substack, there will be more written work (essays and supplements), some of which will be behind a paywall, as well as access to a paid-subscriber chat, which will go online once we reach 100 sign-ups there. The world is full of people asking for your money. Anyone who supports this show with actual dollars will have our undying gratitude, and we’ll do everything we can to return the love. Highlights: The algorithm is killing us. We have the data. Social media melts attention and connection How and why Jordan got into podcasting Dan Carlin’s Hardcore History proved millions of people will l…