Unplugging from the algorithm

 Been listening to a classic soft rock radio station on Amazon Music. Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, (lots of) Elton John. It’s a good way to detach and take the edge off reality. For all the supposed benefits and convenience of on-demand streaming, there’s a huge downside: it’s predictable. There no chance something just happens to come on that you’d never choose to watch or listen to but it turns out you enjoy. At least with the radio, there’s surprise and spontaneity. There’s a refreshing lack of strategising or control. You can just go with the flow. And who’s done that since the 90s without feeling guilty?

Took the boys to the village play park this afternoon. It was so nice. There was only one baby swing, so Ansel let Zen use it and he went on the big boy swing for the first time. Felt wholesome. Seems like ages since we’ve been able to do something outdoors because it’s rained almost non-stop for three months. The fields are all flooded when you drive around. Still, the weather is warming up, so outdoor days will be back soon enough. It’s nice to unplug from the algorithm.

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