I find that some of those algorithms already work as sifters, such as those that tell you what else people bought or listened to on Amazon or Goodreads. Ultimately, what we want is an expert who knows the field and each of our tastes, and who can tell us that if we enjoyed X, we'll really enjoy Y. The more we tell the algorithm what we like, the better it's supposed to work. Or perhaps it's just an illusion that traps us in a narcissistic self-reflection that never challenges us, and divides us into warring tribes, empowering the software companies at our expense.
My main objection to digital content is somewhat different. I go into it in more detail in the article below. It has to do with the trivialization and disposability of anything that's so easily replicated. Once some content is digitized and we can copy or delete it with the press of a mouse button, subconsciously we think that content can't be so precious. The medium is the message.
