Interesting quote from an article at The Economist about the changing role of taste-makers and how art and media is produced with the rise of algorithmic systems:
The diminishing role of industry taste makers is reflected in the sort of art now being produced. To make it onto computer generated playlists, songs must avoid getting skipped, so tracks increasingly open with a catchy “prechorus”. New re leases may have up to a dozen writers making sure that every section sparkles—a “genetically modified hit”, quips Mr Mulligan, who doubts that “awkward listens” like Radiohead would do as well today. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen, which takes more than a minute to get going, would not be released, he suspects. Songs have become shorter, since artists are paid per stream. Labels are even making sure that the titles are Alexa friendly.