Don’t Feed the Algorithm
How to protect your attention, data, and wallet in the digital age
We used to wander into bookstores, thrift shops, or city streets and stumble across things we didn’t expect, a book, a conversation, an idea. That was serendipity. Today, our digital lives are engineered to replace it with something else: carefully calculated recommendations designed to keep us scrolling or spending. By understanding how algorithms work and what data we give them, we can push back against manipulation and make room for real serendipidness, genuine, unplanned discovery that expands rather than narrows our world.
Much of what we see, buy, and believe online is shaped by algorithms. They decide which posts rise to the top of our feeds, which products land in our shopping carts, and which headlines grab our attention. All of it is driven by the data we leave behind, yes that is our clicks, searches, likes, and purchases!
When we don’t understand these systems, we risk becoming passive participants in a marketplace designed to capture our TIME and MONEY. Awareness changes that.
Learn How Algorithms Shape Your Choices
Recommendation engines aren’t neutral or serendipidness:. They’re built to maximize engagement or sales, not your well-being. Start by asking: “Why am I seeing this?” The answer is rarely chance.
Know Your Digital Footprint
Every action online adds to a profile about you. Companies use it to predict and influence your behavior. Take control by limiting what you share, tightening privacy settings, and choosing tools that respect your data.
Practice Digital Resilience
Resilience online means spotting manipulative content, misleading ads, and emotionally charged posts and videos before they sway you. Double-check claims, look for multiple credible sources, and pump your breaks before you click “buy” or “share.”
Move from Passive to Proactive
Don’t let algorithms define your world. Actively seek out information, products, and perspectives beyond what’s recommended to you. Diversify your feeds and subscriptions. Choose what to consume instead of being fed it.
Bottom line: Understanding algorithms and your own data is no longer optional. It’s the first step toward becoming a resilient, empowered consumer, one who isn’t easily manipulated, but instead makes deliberate, informed choices.