From mixtapes to algorithmically generated daily mixes, why do we feel the need to curate?

Emotional Regulation

Research suggests that we use music primarily for emotional regulation. A "Sad" playlist allows us to process grief safely. A "Workout" playlist hacks our dopamine system to push harder. We are literally programming our own brain chemistry.

Identity Signaling

Sharing a playlist is a vulnerable act. It says, "This is who I am." In the era of the cassette tape, giving someone a mixtape was a rite of passage. Today, sharing a Spotify link serves the same function—a digital token of affection or identity.