Curation in the Age of Platform Capitalism: The Value of Selection, Narration, and Expertise in New Media Cultures (Routledge Studies in Media and Cultural Industries)

Curation in the Age of Platform Capitalism: An Introduction

The book Curation in the Age of Platform Capitalism: The Value of Selection, Narration, and Expertise in New Media Cultures is a critical exploration of how curation operates in the digital age, deeply intertwined with the dynamics of platform capitalism. By focusing on selection, narration, and expertise, this work offers a nuanced look at how new media cultures navigate the complex terrain of economic value, cultural authority, and the evolving roles of gatekeeping in the contemporary era of digital platforms.

The book addresses a crucial question in today’s media and cultural industries: What happens to the art and science of curation when it is integrated into the logics of algorithmically-driven platforms like social media, streaming services, and e-commerce websites? Through a detailed analysis of the intersections between technology, culture, and commerce, this study sheds light on how traditional notions of curation have been reshaped by the forces of platform capitalism.

A Detailed Summary of the Book

Understanding the Concept of Curation

The book opens with a historical overview of the concept of curation, tracing it back to institutional and artistic contexts, such as museums and galleries, where curators traditionally acted as authoritative selectors and narrators of cultural products. However, as the digital age has unfolded, curation has expanded into diverse domains—including social media feeds, algorithmic recommendations, and even user interactions on platforms such as Spotify, Netflix, and Instagram.

The Interplay of Platform Capitalism and Curation

Platform capitalism serves as the central framework for analyzing modern curation in the book. In this system, value is driven by data accumulation, algorithmic processing, and monetization strategies that rely on user engagement. Curation, in this context, becomes less about artistic or intellectual selection and more about optimizing user experiences for profit-driven goals. The book examines how this shift affects not only the economics but also the ethics of curation, questioning whose narratives are amplified and whose are silenced.

From Expertise to Algorithmic Governance

A key theme is the tension between traditional curatorial expertise and the rise of algorithmic governance. While expertise was once rooted in professional knowledge and subjective interpretation, platforms increasingly rely on data-driven algorithms to make curatorial decisions, raising questions about authenticity, accuracy, and cultural representation. The book critically examines whether human curators retain a place in this system or are increasingly marginalized by automated processes.

Key Takeaways

• Curation in the digital era is deeply influenced by the logics of platform capitalism, which prioritize profit and engagement over cultural or artistic merit.
• Algorithms and digital platforms have transformed who or what performs the role of the curator, raising questions around power, representation, and ethics.
• The relationship between expertise and data is fundamentally changing, creating new challenges for curators across multiple sectors, including media, culture, and commerce.
• The shift in curation practices has implications for the wider cultural industries, from challenging critical gatekeeping roles to promoting hyper-personalized—but potentially biased—experiences for users.

Famous Quotes from the Book

"The curator in the age of platform capitalism is less an expert storyteller and more a mediator between algorithms, user data, and the economic imperatives of engagement and profit."

"What looks like choice in the era of personalized recommendations often obscures the underlying commercial motivations of platform algorithms."

Why This Book Matters

A Timely Analysis of Digital Culture

In a world increasingly mediated by digital platforms, this book offers a timely and necessary critique of how these systems shape cultural production, distribution, and consumption. By connecting the dots between curation and platform capitalism, it provides readers with a robust framework for understanding one of the most pressing issues in media and culture today.

Essential Reading for Scholars and Practitioners Alike

While the book is written with a scholarly audience in mind, it is equally relevant to media professionals, artists, technologists, and anyone interested in the ways digital platforms are reshaping culture. Its interdisciplinary approach makes it an invaluable resource for understanding the convergence of technology, economy, and culture in the 21st century.