Algorithms and Hip-Hop?
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Algorithms & Hip-Hop
OK, that might seem like a stretch but give me a moment. I am sure you all will know of algorithms as they drive what we see in our Facebook feeds, what Amazon presents to us or what shows up on the first page of a Google search. This week I went out for a longer walk instead of a bike ride and put on my headphones to listen to a podcast. I am a big fan of the podcast Pivot (link below) with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway where they talk about business and tech. Well, on this podcast Scott made a prediction based on Walmart's involvement with TikTok and why Walmart might be interested in this company.
Algorithms get their smarts from activity, the activity might be every search I put into my favorite clothing site and their learning what my interests really are so they might present better choices to me...you get the idea. The more interactions the better for the algorithm, but what makes the results even better is the feedback the algorithm gets teaches it my real likes. That means if I search for an item, click on it, then add it to my cart each of those steps is teaching the algo (make this shorter). So far so good. Now, I am not shopping for clothes on a daily basis or even weekly so the algo learns very slowly about me preferences. Now why TikTok?
TikTok, if you have not seen it is a video platform which presents 15 second video clips to its users. Pretty simple, right? As Scott goes into this on the podcast he talks about how the algo there is learning, every 15 seconds what the user wants next. TikTok present an endless playlist of videos based on what you like. EVERY 15 SECONDS. In a 10 minute TikTok viewing session that is at least 40 pieces of input for the algo. If I do that every day for a month that is 1200 times the algo has learned about my interests.
Now to Walmart
Scott's prediction is that Walmart wants to beat Amazon in the online shopping arena and could use TikTok's algo to do this or to learn from. You might all know what "1-Click" shopping is on Amazon - click and done. Scott predicts an a-comm future, an algorithmic-commerce where the algo choses what I want before I even know it. Walmart will know so much about me that I will be sent items I will want before I go out and look for it. ZERO CLICK shopping. An algo so smart that the "hit rate" of items that I end up keeping would be very high meaning fewer returns.
I found the idea fascinating while troubling at the same time. the idea of Walmart getting involved with TikTok has many scratching their heads but maybe he is onto something. I am sure many may not want an algorithm knowing so much about you that you are being served by it. Oh wait, many are already today.
80s Hip-Hop?
Just to add to the "algo" stream of thought. I came across a new album released this month by Public Enemy. This is old school hip-hop or rap but they are still in the game. The album is titled "What you gonna do when the grid goes down?" It goes on about how we spend so much time staring into screens and not experiencing life. That people listen today with their eyes and what would happen if there was no more internet. Not a must listen but in the idea of algorithms and the network I thought it an interesting thought to add on here. I mean, these guys are 60 years old and still making hip-hop! Crazy
My Travels
Finally, I got on the road withe the podbike and headed out. Yes, I am not riding 400 kilometers in a day for an interview and I use the car to get me closer to my guests but heck, finally got out. I headed to Aachen in the far west of Germany. I made a video of me out there and will be posted on my YouTube as soon as I get around to that, so if you want for subscribe to my channel (link below).
What was interesting about my first journey out with the bike was I was generally really excited. I was excited to begin my journey, or at least the one I have been telling myself for the last few months. And the best of it, everything worked out just fine! I interviewed a business friend of mine who I have known for years. It was great to catch up with him and share with him my "New Normal" but the podcasting worked all out as well. It is in German and I will be setting up my new podcast site in the next week, so if you are interested I will update here the details. The first trip out, the first time in a long while going somewhere I wanted to and just for me. Really cool.
Now I am already planning the next trip, to Zurich! Actually next week and 1 interview is scheduled and I hope for at least one other while I am there. Nevertheless, I am doing what I wanted to do and on my own terms. That is what counts.
Link:
Listening to Pivot, Scott’s prediction on “algorithmic e-commerce”): https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/chtbl.com/track/524GE/traffic.megaphone.fm/VMP9418534948.mp3
Scott has a prediction about commerce if TikTok and Walmart join forces.