Spotify's 'Listening Age' Formula Exposed as Ridiculous and Ageist
For the first time this year, Spotify released its "listening age" report, which uses algorithms to determine a user's musical taste based on their listening habits. But when 44-year-old music lover was informed that their listening age was 86, it sparked widespread outrage.
The problem with Spotify's formula is not only ridiculous but also ageist. It relies on the idea of a "reminiscence bump," which suggests that users are most connected to the music from their younger years. However, this assumption ignores individual tastes and preferences, especially among those who have been exposed to diverse musical genres through various life experiences.
Spotify's own description of its algorithm as "eclectic" is also ironic, given that it results in a report that ridicules users for their unusual musical tastes. The platform boasts that 44-year-old has listened to over 409 artists and 210 music genres this year, which is more than most people listen to.
The issue lies not with Spotify's ability to analyze user data but rather with its willingness to poke fun at users who don't conform to societal norms. It turns out that the only way you can get a listening age of over 80 is by listening to music from the 50s, which was not exactly popular among younger generations.
The most disconcerting part is that Spotify's algorithm knows exactly what it's doing – it even provides users with an explanation for their lowly listening age. It's almost as if they want to make us feel old and out of touch.
In response, some people have taken to social media to express their outrage, using hashtags like #SpotifyWrapped and sharing memes about feeling embarrassed by their own musical tastes. While this might provide a temporary sense of catharsis, it also perpetuates the very problem that Spotify's algorithm is trying to exploit.
So what can we do instead? For starters, let's stop letting Spotify dictate how we feel about our own music taste. Instead, we should celebrate our diversity and individuality. When I look at my Spotify Wrapped report this year, I see an eclectic mix of artists and genres that reflect my unique musical tastes. And if you're like me, you'll likely be amused by the absurdity of it all.
As one Twitter user wryly put it: "When your listening age is 86, but Ella Fitzgerald is still singing to you."
For the first time this year, Spotify released its "listening age" report, which uses algorithms to determine a user's musical taste based on their listening habits. But when 44-year-old music lover was informed that their listening age was 86, it sparked widespread outrage.
The problem with Spotify's formula is not only ridiculous but also ageist. It relies on the idea of a "reminiscence bump," which suggests that users are most connected to the music from their younger years. However, this assumption ignores individual tastes and preferences, especially among those who have been exposed to diverse musical genres through various life experiences.
Spotify's own description of its algorithm as "eclectic" is also ironic, given that it results in a report that ridicules users for their unusual musical tastes. The platform boasts that 44-year-old has listened to over 409 artists and 210 music genres this year, which is more than most people listen to.
The issue lies not with Spotify's ability to analyze user data but rather with its willingness to poke fun at users who don't conform to societal norms. It turns out that the only way you can get a listening age of over 80 is by listening to music from the 50s, which was not exactly popular among younger generations.
The most disconcerting part is that Spotify's algorithm knows exactly what it's doing – it even provides users with an explanation for their lowly listening age. It's almost as if they want to make us feel old and out of touch.
In response, some people have taken to social media to express their outrage, using hashtags like #SpotifyWrapped and sharing memes about feeling embarrassed by their own musical tastes. While this might provide a temporary sense of catharsis, it also perpetuates the very problem that Spotify's algorithm is trying to exploit.
So what can we do instead? For starters, let's stop letting Spotify dictate how we feel about our own music taste. Instead, we should celebrate our diversity and individuality. When I look at my Spotify Wrapped report this year, I see an eclectic mix of artists and genres that reflect my unique musical tastes. And if you're like me, you'll likely be amused by the absurdity of it all.
As one Twitter user wryly put it: "When your listening age is 86, but Ella Fitzgerald is still singing to you."
. It's just an excuse for them to make us feel like we're too old and out of touch with the mainstream music scene. Newsflash: just because I've been listening to some obscure jazz artists in my 40s doesn't mean I'm somehow "behind the times" 
.
It's just a lazy way to explain why people might not fit into some predetermined musical mold. And don't even get me started on the absurdity of getting an 86 listening age for listening to Ella Fitzgerald - I mean, come on! 
I'll take my eclectic mix of artists and genres over some bland, formulaic playlist any day! 
i cant believe spotify is doing this its like theyre trying to shame people for having weird musical tastes lol my own listening age was like 20 and its still totally true for me id rather have a bunch of random genres and artists than some boring predictable playlist anyway i got a good laugh out of it when i saw that i had listened to way more artists than most people even if its not the most flattering report
. I mean, if someone listens to over 409 artists this year, shouldn't that be a good thing? 
. And what's with the idea that people are only connected to music from their younger years? I've been listening to oldies but goodies since I was like 10 and I still love 'em 
.
. If Ella Fitzgerald can still be singing to you at 44, then that's something to be celebrated! 
Spotify's formula might be flawed, but it's also kinda genius. It highlights how ridiculous it is for music platforms to try to pigeonhole us into certain age groups based on our listening habits. I mean, who says you can't appreciate jazz from the 50s at 44? And btw, Ella Fitzgerald is a legend regardless of your age 
. The whole #SpotifyWrapped thing might be funny at first, but let's not get too caught up in it... just enjoy your eclectic music taste and leave the rest to Spotify 
but hey at least their algorithm knows exactly what it's doing 