Great Minds Think Alike
Interesting piece on how technology facilitates communities of taste. Also interesting because the author refers to something sociologists have long known: we think we like people because of their traits, but the key is actually shared interests. The author of this piece wins points with me for mentioning Mike Doughty. And more generally, I often assume I'll like someone who shares my musical taste, while I'd be less likely to make the same inference as readily about someone who shares, say, my politics or academic interests.
In my own experience, the greatest direct communal tech benefit in this vein has not come from chat forums, but from Amazon. I'll confess that while I seldom shop there, I constantly free-ride on their recommendations by surfing from bands I know I like to bands that others who like that band like. I've actually discovered lots of my favorite music that way. And there are probably plenty of great artists who are able to stay afloat only because the Internet makes it possible for audiences around the world to become aware of innovative new groups that lack mass appeal.
