As we take a more in-depth look at methods of classification, I reminisced about a visit to my elementary school library, where I was first introduced to the Dewey Decimal System. Sat down in front of the librarian at the tender age of 11 or 12, she explained to us how they used this relatively simple system to categorize their awe-inspiring collection of books. First established back in 1876, then revised and expanded through over 20 major editions, the Dewey Decimal Classification (known as DDC, link) is a system of numbering books based on content. Information is divided into ten broad areas, and then from there these groups are broken up into smaller and more specific topics. Topics are given call numbers, which you can look up to see what books the library has on this topic. For example, “Tigers” are given the call number 599.756.
I enjoyed all of this week’s articles, but “How Netflix Reverse Engineered Hollywood” definitely stood out for me from the selection. Paired with my nostalgia involving my elementary school library, I couldn’t help but think of how far classification has progressed. The article featured how Netflix creates obscure, but helpfully user-specific genres for its subscribers. The site uses a “real combination: machine-learned, algorithms, algorithmic syntax” (link). The hybrid human and machine intelligence implemented by this system shows the development of classification as the world gravitates toward a digital focus. Netflix partially abandoned a system that depended solely on numerical values, like ratings, broadening their scope to involve a bit of human introspection.
While topics in the DDC are very broad, like “500 Math and Science,” or “800 Literature,” this article highlighted the outside the box methods used by Netflix, such as “quanta” and “microtags” to classify their film collection and personally tailor recommendations for their users. Other user-friendly digital media sites have come to prominence in recent years, especially in the music industry. For example, Pandora’s Music Genome Project has attempted a similar formula to achieve what Netflix has, but they haven’t yet reached the success of their movie-streaming counterparts. 8tracks also comes to mind with their widespread selection of ‘tags,’ where you can find a playlist tailored especially for a certain activity, such as “classical + studying,” or “electronic + gym.” It’ll be interesting to see who branches out next and tries to add their own personal spin to classification.