Algorithms and cultural hierarchization: the impact of digitalization on taste formation
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3989/ris.2025.83.3.1363Keywords:
cultural practices, algorithms, polarization, cultural omnivorousness, cultural consumptionAbstract
This article examines the role of algorithms in reshaping cultural hierarchies and taste formation in the digital age. It explores how digitalization has diminished the influence of traditional cultural intermediaries, shifting authority from critics and experts to platforms and algorithmic recommendation systems. Through an analysis of recent research, the article discusses the implications of algorithm-mediated cultural consumption, including taste fragmentation, extreme personalization, and the potential reconfiguration of cultural omnivorousness. Additionally, it addresses the relationship between algorithms, polarization, and the formation of cultural echo chambers. Finally, it suggests future research directions on the impact of artificial intelligence and digitalization on the sociology of culture and consumption.
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