A number of progressives on Twitter were pissed to find that Netflix’s algorithm thought they might enjoy the docuseries Trump: An American Dream, in which “Friends, associates, and critics reveal the truly American story of Donald Trump, the brash businessman who defied the odds to become U.S. president.”
Now, I have not seen this docuseries, which might actually be great and critical of Trump, but that summary sounds like the opposite of everything true and decent in this world.
how very dare you @netflix pic.twitter.com/vvqqyI6GnB
— Tracy Boomeisha-Ann Clayton (@brokeymcpoverty) March 30, 2018
LMAO ohhhh @netflix, how poorly your algorithm works if you truly thought I’d like to watch “Trump: An American Dream.” pic.twitter.com/jfuXlbadBD
— Annie Sisk Is Writing ALL THE THINGS ✒ (@AnnieSisk) March 30, 2018
Dear Netflix,
You don’t know me at all. I can tell by the recommended trailer, “Trump: An American Dream.” I’ll pass#thanksbutnothanks— Donna Confere (@dlconfere) March 23, 2018
The Netflix algorithm has certainly had its flubs before, such as labeling The Babadook as an LGBTQ movie and giving birth to an internet icon. However, this is a different sort of error, the kind that suggests a fundamental misunderstanding of the user.
So it got me thinking: what’s the most offensive/insulting thing that Netflix has ever suggested to you, Mary Suevians?
For our own Princess Weekes, it was “every Adam Sandler film made after 2003. How double dog dare you?” For our own Vivian Kane, it was “that fucker Piers Morgan’s true crime shows. Like yes, obviously I want to watch a show called Killer Women—and then I see his face on the thumbnail and feel disgusted.” For me, it was probably Bright: not because it was necessarily the worst thing that Netflix ever suggested to me, but because it was so aggressive about the suggestion. Like, they really, really thought I wanted to see this movie.
There is, of course, a different kind of Netflix offense/insult. Sometimes, rather than suggesting repulsive garbage you would never watch, it suggests exactly the kind of repulsive garbage you would watch. Some of those suggestions almost feel like Netflix is intentionally calling you out and letting you know: “I see you.”
NETFLIX IS FUCKING DRAGGING ME FOR WATCHING VOLTRON but its what i deserve pic.twitter.com/naVR8cl2N2
— just here to fight (@FRANZlSKA) October 17, 2017
netflix why u gotta keep calling me out like this pic.twitter.com/ogRzgQapQX
— 100% comp win rate widowmaker (@Guesswhosaninja) March 28, 2018
When the streaming service tips its hand and shows that it almost knows you too well, revealing all your trashiest tastes in film and TV, you can also want to say: “Excuse me! How dare you?”
So let’s rag on our computer overlords. How has the mighty Netflix algorithm insulted you lately?
(Featured image: screengrab)
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