The Ringer looks at the latest twist in our online shopping fixation. “Don’t Know Which Toaster to Buy? There’s a Website for That. More like a dozen, actually, for every type of online purchase—from appliances to sandals, from sunscreen to digital cameras. When did recommendation sites like the Wirecutter and The Strategist become such a central part of the online economy? And are they changing the way we shop?” (It’s not just about choosing products. It’s about addictive content. I habitually read product reviews, yet I almost never actually buy anything. I am 200 hours into researching my next car, and there’s a 98% chance I’ll end up a newer model of the same car I own right now.)

+ If you dig this topic, definitely check out the book, The Paradox of Choice: Why More Is Less.

+ Not satisfied with the humans telling you what to buy? No problem. There are now virtual entities hawking the latest wares. NYT: Virtual Brand Promoters Are So Lifelike, You Just Might Believe What You See. (I’m not buying it…)