As with anything web design, we should think about context and nuance. Is this a web tool where the user needs to do work? Is it designed with small buttons (for function or aesthetics)?

If so, probably keep the default pointer. Though if it’s a splashy brand page with tiny buttons, I could imagine some other pointer styles that might be good.

Speaking of, is it something splashy and marketing heavy? Is it intended more as an experiment, experience, or intentional maximalist design?

If so, then I can see the argument. Accessibility still matters, though so implement graceful depredation so that folks who prefer motion effects disabled get a default pointer.

The answer is not “never change the pointer” but rather, “only break web standards if you have a good, well considered reason.”

https://pca.st/episode/a8bc145d-94d8-4c4f-b3c6-635e3f8e81e4

If Books Could Kill did a great episode on this. “Who Moved My Cheese”

This is perfect. Thank you for sharing.

The thing that flipped it for me was realizing the Spotify algorithm isn’t actually about discovering new music, it’s about driving profit. Idealism aside, what that tactically means for music discovery is the recommendations are based primarily around what they want to play, and then secondarily around what you might like.

It means that you’re only discovering a subset of music you might like that is profitable to Spotify and their big record label partners.

After realizing that, the Spotify algorithm lost a lot of interest for me. Now I use SomaFM to discover new music. They do curated music channels in a bunch of different genres, and I find that the DJs have a similar taste to mine, so I hear a good amount of new music I’m into.

This definitely reads like it’s written by the pelican, addressing someone with a baby

This is the correct order. 5-to-2 sets the width of the star, which is important when writing multiple identical stars next to each other.

For a second I read that as America, and I thought, eh, pretty close.