Itās 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 usersā responses to the content theyāre shown.
Consider what it means for you to like things, where those tastes come from, why you like them, etc. Thereās 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 canāt 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
š
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, Iām 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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for food, art, hobbies etc. ! i always derive more pleasure from music that might not be instantly accessible or from films that are not easily digestible, or novelty snacks that might taste weird at first!
the best things in life are the ones that it takes time to understand
Jan 24, 2024
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āLife shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.ā
ā AnaĆÆs Nin
This is uncharacteristically raw and personal, even for me, and pretty heavy! I know many of you have seen me posting through it and I feel safe to talk about it openly now that Iāve safely landed at the start of my new life. Itās honestly even a little bit embarrassing but I think itās important to share.
Iāve never publicly mentioned it on here, but I have a husband; as of Friday, weād have been together for 11 years, and weāve been married for 3 years as of 2/22. I realize now that I wanted to explore what I looked like outside of my relationship with him because I had lost that. This is why PI.FYI has been so meaningful to me as a space to express myself and connect with peopleāto rediscover my voice.
I had been living a lie this entire time, to others but worst of all to myself. Heās been verbally and emotionally abusive, physically but without touching me, to the point that every day I spent with him I was in danger. Iāve been shrinking myself and walking on eggshells to avoid making him insecure and provoking his casual put-downs and fits of rage, while hanging on for dear life to the threads of good I could see.
Iāve wanted so badly to leave, more than anything, but I felt like there was no way out and that this was just something I would need to endure indefinitelyābut someone who is so very dear to me helped me see that I have wings to fly, not by acting as my savior but by reminding me of my own power. The emotional safety they built and the gentle care they showed me made me feel like I could open up to them. With their encouragement I was brave enough to tell the truth to my friends, my family, my boss, and they have received me with warm, loving and open arms and rallied to support and protect me. The financial andĀ logistical aspects were the most intimidating to me and itās going to be tough for a while but Iām going to be better than okay!
Now Iām opening up to you. This isnāt the only abuse Iāve suffered in my life, and my old therapist told me she believed it was my mission to share my strength and light with others to inspire them and show them that change is possible.
I hope that by sharing this, I can reach even just one person who is going through something similar and show that they are not alone, and they are not weak. People with certain backgrounds may be more vulnerable to abuse, but it can happen to anyone. It thrives in darkness, shame, and isolationāand breaking that silence is the first step toward freedom.
Leaving is the scariest thing I have ever done but I have so many angels around me, and I am endlessly grateful. Thank you for being here with me š
Mar 16, 2025
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 somebodyābe it a relative or one of my best friendsāwas 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 š
Feb 23, 2025
Schedule sent my resignation email for the morning, effective immediately ā
š
Feb 27, 2025