Music: An Algorithmic Burial of Human Artists?
Music: An Algorithmic Burial of Human Artists?  
Podcast: Ruined By The Internet? | Uncovering the human cost of our digital world
Published On: Sat Nov 15 2025
Description: The internet promised to empower artists and give listeners infinite choice. But has it instead turned music into a disposable commodity - replacing human curation with algorithms, and making it virtually impossible for most artists to earn a sustainable living?We're joined by Charlie Hooper-Williams - critically acclaimed composer, pianist, creative coder, and one of the developers behind music identification app Shazam - whose new album The Book of Fixed Stars is out now on The Way Beyond Music. He's seen the music industry's digital transformation from both sides, and understands better than most what's been lost and what's still possible.Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation - new episodes regularly.Visit us: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/Help us investigate ourselves: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/survey/Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishowIn this episode we investigate how streaming platforms devalued music while promising to democratise it, examine the TikTokification of music and what it's doing to artistic ambition, explore the role of algorithms in deciding what gets heard and what disappears, and ask whether AI is the final chapter in the story of music's commodification - or the beginning of something genuinely new.00:00 - Introduction to Charlie's musical journey and digital transformation01:31 - How digital technology changed everything about the music industry02:33 - The TikTokification of music: what it means for artists and listeners04:17 - The devaluation of music as an art form in a streaming world05:32 - Streaming platforms: exposure versus earnings, and who really wins08:06 - Spotify's role in reshaping the music industry08:51 - The challenges of discoverability when algorithms control what gets heard12:17 - How the artist-fan relationship has evolved, and what's been lost17:52 - Technology's role in music creation and distribution today20:04 - Navigating the modern music landscape as an independent artist22:56 - Live performance in the age of technology: what still can't be replicated25:46 - The role of algorithms and AI in music: creative tool or existential threat?34:50 - The future of music in a digital age40:46 - Advice for aspiring musicians trying to survive the internet economyGuest links - Charlie Hooper-WilliamsWebsite: http://charliehooperwilliams.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/charliehooperwilliamsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CharlieHooperWilliams