Why RSS is your escape from algorithms ?

The mainstream internet is becoming increasingly boring and increasingly ugly. Most websites now try to look the same, while social media platforms relentlessly push short-form content and endless waves of low-effort, AI-generated slop.

And yet, the internet is still full of incredible resources: thoughtful writing, deep technical knowledge, art, and genuinely insightful work. The problem isn't the lack of quality content; it's how we access it.

On most social media and news platforms today, you don't really get to choose what you see. Instead, you scroll mindlessly through dozens of posts, memes, and junk before stumbling upon something that actually interests you. This constant friction slowly drains your attention and motivation.

At the core of the issue is a loss of agency. You no longer control what you consume; recommendation algorithms do. Their primary goal isn't to inform or enrich you, it's to keep you scrolling for as long as possible. The longer you stay, the more ads you see, the more data is collected about you, and the more accurately you can be targeted and monetized.

Recommendation algorithms are systems designed to predict what content you're most likely to engage with. They analyze your behavior: likes, clicks, watch time, pauses, scroll speed, and use that data to optimize your feed.

On the surface, this sounds helpful. In practice, it's deeply problematic.

These algorithms don't optimize for truth, quality, or long-term value. They optimize for engagement. This often means amplifying outrage, sensationalism, low-effort entertainment, and content that triggers quick emotional reactions. Over time, this shapes not only what you see, but how you think, what you believe, and how you spend your time.

When an algorithm controls your information diet, it slowly narrows your worldview while giving you the illusion of choice.

One response to recommendation algorithms is mindful consumption.

Mindful consumption means actively choosing what you read, watch, and listen to, rather than passively accepting whatever is pushed into your feed. It's about slowing down, curating your sources, and valuing depth over novelty.

This doesn't mean quitting the internet. It means using it intentionally.

RSS feeds offer a powerful alternative.

With RSS, you choose the sources you want to follow, and you receive content in a chronological, algorithm-free feed. No manipulation, no dark patterns, no engagement optimization, just updates from creators you trust.

Privacy is central here. RSS doesn't require you to create an account, give away your email, or let a company track your behavior. Unlike newsletters, your inbox isn't involved, but if you still prefer receiving updates in your inbox, you can subscribe to my newsletter :)

I use Capy Reader app on the phone and RSS guard on my laptop to keep track of my subscriptions, but there are plenty of free and powerful rss readers out there. You can get started by adding my rss feed to your favorite rss reader ;)

This is a new segment where, in each article, I'll share an educational resource I find genuinely valuable.

For today, I'm sharing a video that is, in my opinion, one of the most compact, clear, and precise introductions to 3D graphics. Even if you're not interested in 3D graphics, I'm confident you'll enjoy the journey. Link to the Video: One Formula That Demystifies 3D Graphics - Tsoding

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