It’s hard to fully appreciate the impact algorithmic feeds have on deciding and reinforcing what is desirable. Algorithms collect your data, put you into groups with similar people, and predict what to recommend based on what other people who enjoy similar things and are part of similar demographics have responded well to. Social media apps often expertly track users’ responses to the content they’re shown.
Consider what it means for you to like things, where those tastes come from, why you like them, etc. There’s nothing wrong with being basic because few are meant to be connoisseurs, even if it may feel like it in a digital world dominated by aesthetics. But if you have specific well-developed taste and a trained eye, you can usually articulate explanations for what draws you to these things and the influences and life experiences that have led you there. If you can’t it can be helpful to reflect on it! This is a normal first step for anyone with a serious interest in arts and culture of any kind.
Jan 17, 2025
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It's all a social thing surely. you see what other people do and how others react to it, and that informs your opinions and how you react to others. Also if you try something and observe others reactions, even passively, you'll then continue to do things or not. This would lead to more interaction with / exposure to the thing, and acquired taste kicks in.
So it's a reflection of what other people around you like, and a reflection of the volume of things that are around you, a combination of the two and a bit of special sauce that I haven't figured out yet, but definitely isn't money
Apr 14, 2024
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Tbh I would say it comes down to that. SOME People feel a sense of superiority or pride with Liking obscure things I guess.
My advice is to own it, and just enjoy what you like. Compared to other people I see on this app, as well as me growing up, I’m realizing that I am very basic and mainstream in my tastes and with what I like.
Just have fun, who cares anyways?
Feb 11, 2025
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We all pick up small habits and advice from the people we love that make our experience, here on earth, more enjoyable and abundant. Once we open ourselves up a little and talk to others, we realize that we have more in common with people than we think. And meet people who, like you, share those same interests. And if not, you can at least interchange opinions and perspectives and learn from that in someway for your personal growth.
I love when I’m going on about my day and someone recommends me a song they like, a book to read or a new place to eat. Having an app like letterboxd where I can connect with people that also like movies and expand my interest. How I discovered how much I like mate because of a girl I was with. How I cook some meals a certain way, because I enjoy them being prepared like that by my mother. How my friend and I go together to as many coffee shops as we can because we love that shared space. And I could go on… it’s interesting and beautiful seeing how there’s a little of each of us in one another.
Jun 27, 2025
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My dad teases me about how when I was a little kid, my favorite thing to do when I was on the landline phone with somebody—be it a relative or one of my best friends—was to breathlessly describe the things that were in my bedroom so that they could have a mental picture of everything I loved and chose to surround myself with, and where I sat at that moment in time. Perfectly Imperfect reminds me of that so thanks for always listening and for sharing with me too 💌
Feb 23, 2025
May 28, 2025
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I’ve been thinking about how much of social media is centered around curating our self-image. When selfies first became popular, they were dismissed as vain and vapid—a critique often rooted in misogyny—but now, the way we craft our online selves feels more like creating monuments.
We try to signal our individuality, hoping to be seen and understood, but ironically, I think this widens the gap between how others perceive us and who we really are. Instead of fostering connection, it can invite projection and misinterpretation—preconceived notions, prefab labels, and stereotypes. Worse, individuality has become branded and commodified, reducing our identities to products for others to consume.
On most platforms, validation often comes from how well you can curate and present your image—selfies, aesthetic branding, and lifestyle content tend to dominate. High engagement is tied to visibility, not necessarily depth or substance. But I think spaces like PI.FYI show that there’s another way: where connection is built on shared ideas, tastes, and interests rather than surface-level content. It’s refreshing to be part of a community that values thoughts over optics.
By sharing so few images of myself, I’ve found that it gives others room to focus on my ideas and voice. When I do share an image, it feels intentional—something that contributes to the story I want to tell rather than defining it. Sharing less allows me to express who I am beyond appearance.
For women, especially, sharing less can be a radical act in a world where the default is to objectify ourselves. It resists the pressure to center appearance, focusing instead on what truly matters: our thoughts, voices, and authenticity. I’ve posted a handful of pictures of myself in 2,500 posts because I care more about showing who I am than how I look.
In trying to be seen, are we making it harder for others to truly know us? It’s a question worth considering.
Dec 27, 2024