Discover v/s Recommend

Often, I am exasperated by the number of people asking for recommendations on Twitter.

The recommendations for skin care, wearable devices, or poll questions asking this or that get a free pass. Those aren't as annoying or unnecessary.

But anything to do with books to read, music to listen to, shows to watch, and movies to check out is a definite 'not-to-be-recommended' zone for me. I am not trying to be elite about it.

My disdain for recommendations no longer stems from being insecure about my taste in content. But I think asking for recommendations signals insincere intent.

Here's how -

Think of movies, books, TV shows, skilling courses, and music as life-enrichers.

You consume this content to feel moved in life. You're trying to catch a glimpse of your unique past or of an unspoken aspiration.

You are making an attempt to do and feel better about yourself or your life by consuming that content.

How, then, does it make sense to ask a random person on the internet for recommendations? That person has zero ideas of your life's context. How can they guarantee something will change your life?

To me, asking such questions signals insincerity.

It shows that you're eager to be better but too lazy to actually follow through or explore.

Foolishly asking people on the internet what books you should read and what blogs are worth following, and so on is a disservice to yourself.

I understand that the pressures of life and career don't always allow for leisure to cultivate taste. But borrowing tastes from the internet just harms even the little personality you could have in the long run.

Moreover, rushing to create an ideal personality by consuming the recommended content might just make you like everyone else.

You're capable of better things. Do them.