The Illusion of Choice in a Centralized Web

While the internet appears to offer infinite choices, the reality is that a few large platforms act as gatekeepers, shaping what we see and discover. This creates an "illusion of choice," where our decisions are heavily influenced by the algorithms and priorities of these dominant companies.

For example, a musician might have their music on multiple streaming platforms, but their visibility is largely determined by their inclusion in curated playlists controlled by the platform. Similarly, a news article's reach is dependent on its ranking in Google's search results or its virality on Facebook.

This concentration of power means that true discovery is often limited, and the "choices" presented to users are frequently those that benefit the platform's business model, rather than reflecting the full diversity of available content.

The Centralization of the Internet and its Impact on Creative Arts