Daniel Kehlmann's new novel is just out in Germany and, as widely reported in the German press (though I can't find the original Süddeutsche Zeitung article online), he reports that Amazon, in recommending books to him, recommends his own works.
He thinks they have it right: ideally, he says, writers should write the books they would most like to read -- and many don't (and, he suggests: "da liegt gewissermaßen ihr Problem" -- in essence: that's what they're doing wrong).
And so, he says, he finds validation in the algorithm -- that tells him he's doing something right.
Much as I enjoy Kehlmann's work, this sounds an awful lot like an author preening in front of the mirror, asking who is the fairest in the land and pleased when the mirror reassures her she is. Granted, I haven't seen the full interview, and maybe he doesn't come off quite as full of himself in context, but man oh man ... once you think Amazon's recommendation-algorithm 'understands' you, and knows your likes and dislike so wellbecause that it recommends the perfect (i.e. your own) books to you ... well, delusion has taken rather too firm a hold, I think.
(Alternative explanation: he buys his own books in bulk from Amazon ( to give away, or furnish the apartment ...) and so naturally Amazon recommends more of the same to him.)
[I do note that, as someone who flushes his Amazon (and all other) cookies every time he opens (well, closes) his browser (and who thinks you're crazy if you don't do the same) and thus doesn't get "personalized recommendations", maybe I do Amazon and Kehlmann injustices -- maybe the algorithm is, indeed, a perfect fit. I'm just guessing ... not.
(Given that I look up so many books on Amazon for review (rather than personal) purposes -- and never buy anything there -- even if I did let them track my site-visits over the long run, I think the algorithm would be unlikely to determine my personal preferences (though maybe it could make a good guess at what I might review next ?).)]
Much as I enjoy Kehlmann's work, this sounds an awful lot like an author preening in front of the mirror, asking who is the fairest in the land and pleased when the mirror reassures her she is. Granted, I haven't seen the full interview, and maybe he doesn't come off quite as full of himself in context, but man oh man ... once you think Amazon's recommendation-algorithm 'understands' you, and knows your likes and dislike so well
(Alternative explanation: he buys his own books in bulk from Amazon ( to give away, or furnish the apartment ...) and so naturally Amazon recommends more of the same to him.)
[I do note that, as someone who flushes his Amazon (and all other) cookies every time he opens (well, closes) his browser (and who thinks you're crazy if you don't do the same) and thus doesn't get "personalized recommendations", maybe I do Amazon and Kehlmann injustices -- maybe the algorithm is, indeed, a perfect fit. I'm just guessing ... not.
(Given that I look up so many books on Amazon for review (rather than personal) purposes -- and never buy anything there -- even if I did let them track my site-visits over the long run, I think the algorithm would be unlikely to determine my personal preferences (though maybe it could make a good guess at what I might review next ?).)]