Music discovery with today's algorithm

I've been thinking about how the algorithms on music platforms like Spotify and Apple Music affect how people are discovering new music these days because I feel like these algorithms will heavily push you into a specific circle of artists or genre without even going that much far beyond the lines of that circle.

It makes me think about how much of our music taste is actually self-curated or if it was pre-determined and shaped by algorithms. Personally, it makes me feel like I'm violated and like I have no true sense of autonomy. This extends to other interests in general and not just music.

So, my mind goes on another tangent about how much most people are describing their personalities with what they own or consume. I find myself doing it sometimes too. It happens more often than I would like to admit and I try to be more mindful about it.

"If what you are is just what you own, what will you become when they take from you almost everything?"

This line is from DESTROYA by My Chemical Romance and I always think about it whenever I find myself debilitated from overconsumption.

We are more than the things we own and consume. I know what I believe in and I want to believe that everyone has the agency to stand up for their values and to choose conviction over the material world.