Lost in the Stream: How Streaming Algorithms Took Over Movie Culture
A new book that explores how algorithm-driven platforms are reshaping the film industry and our movie-watching habits
I’ve been talking about this for years. The way we discover, watch, and even think about movies has completely shifted. And now, I’ve written a whole book about it.
Lost in the Stream: How Algorithms Redefined the Way Movies Are Made and Watched is the result of months of writing, research, and revisiting decades of movie history to better understand where this industry is headed. The book dives into how streaming platforms and social media have completely reshaped Hollywood, not just in how audiences consume movies, but in what movies even get made anymore.
If you’ve ever opened a streaming app and felt totally uninspired, endlessly scrolling through generic-looking thumbnails while thinking, “Where are all the good movies?”, you’re not alone. And if you’ve noticed that the types of films we used to see in theaters or even stumble across on DVD or cable are getting harder and harder to find, that’s not your imagination either.
Lost in the Stream is for people who love movies and miss that feeling of stumbling across something amazing. It’s for anyone who's tired of seeing the same handful of titles recommended over and over, or for those who want to break out of the algorithm bubble and rediscover the full spectrum of what film can offer.
It’s not necessarily anti-streaming. I subscribe to basically every service out there. Streaming has plenty of pros, like easier access to films and distribution for filmmakers. But Lost in the Stream breaks down how the algorithm-first model has quietly changed the rules behind the scenes. It explores the kinds of stories studios are willing to greenlight, how audience behavior is shaped by invisible feedback loops, and why so many of today’s platforms feel more like content machines than places to discover real cinema.
There’s also a whole section on physical media, movie theaters, and the people and companies still doing important work to preserve film culture in a more hands-on, human way. If you're someone who's into Blu-rays, boutique labels, going to repertory screenings, or just wants a healthier relationship with how you find movies, this book will speak to you.
Now here’s the ask.
Lost in the Stream is available for pre-order right now, and those early orders genuinely matter. They help indie authors like me reach more readers, get better placement in bookstores, and maybe even break into bestseller lists. If you’ve followed my content, read my posts, or just want to support thoughtful writing about film, please consider grabbing a copy.
Amazon orders are appreciated, but consider ordering from other sources as well, as that helps the book reach more stores. Bookshop.org for example, allows you to choose a local bookstore to support or buy direct from them, with 80% of their profits supporting indie bookstores. Many indie booksellers, like Skylight Books, Parnassus Books, Literati Bookstore, Books & Books, and more are also carrying the book online and hopefully in-store this August.
You can order the book today at these stores below (and probably many more which I didn’t find yet!):
Bookshop.org (best price!)
Even better: if you know a local store or library that might carry it, ask them to stock it. Do you teach a class and want some copies? Email me! That kind of grassroots support makes a huge difference. And if you read the book and enjoy it, a review on Amazon, Goodreads, or anywhere else helps more than you might think.
This project exists because of my community. I wouldn’t have had the chance to write this without the people who’ve supported me over the years - all of you. If this book connects with even a few of you and sparks some new conversations, then that’s a win in my book.
So please, pre-order Lost in the Stream, share it with your movie-loving friends, and help spread the word. I can’t wait to hear what you think.
Would love to read and teach a class on this! But for now, I'm happy to buy. This is a great topic for a book -- something people who appreciate what movies can be think about all the time, but unfortunately is not considered almost at all by most Netflixers who think of all movies as just content. Looking forward to reading.
As most of my physical book purchases these days are limited to omnibus editions of my favorite comics, I would love to see eBook versions of this available, especially if it can be found on Kobo on top of Amazon Kindle. Not sure what your publisher plans in this regard.
In any case, I wish you success with this, Jeff.