Inventorless Invention Beat: Netflix Choose For Me

By Sarah Hughes

Every once in awhile divine inspiration falls, but sometimes it is wildly disappointing as sometimes ideas exceed the dreamers ability to realize them.

Like da Vinci’s flying contraptions, here are some ideas that are before their time. Perhaps somewhere someone out there has the ability, talent and resources to make them a reality. Hopefully sooner than later – having some of these things like the Netflix Pick For Me Wheel would make life easier right now – mostly by enabling the ability to do nothing.

Drawing of plane wing
Leonardo da Vinci’s designs for a flying machine. Public domain from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Science_and_inventions_of_Leonardo_da_Vinci#/media/File:Leonardo_Design_for_a_Flying_Machine,_c._1488.jpg

Do you also have a great idea that will never be? Put it in the ether — er — internet so maybe someone, somewhere will get inspired to make it for you and take all your credit. Though a paycheck or a dedication would be nice. Reply in the comments or send an article to publish to honeyitsthursday@gmail.com!

Netflix Choose For Me

Have you ever been sitting in front of the TV staring at Netflix trying to pick a movie getting frustrated that you have no idea what to watch? Maybe you’re trying to pick a movie with someone and you can’t decide what to watch together.

If you’re tired of debating over mindless entertainment, this invention will get you to the watching part faster, though you and Netflix will probably have to try to figure out how to get it to work.

There would be an icon that looks something like a game show wheel, which you would click and it would pick a movie for you, presumably at random with some sort of algorithm…bleh math word. All you would have to do is enter an audience rating, a number of stars other Netflix users have given it, a language preference, and/ or a genre. The genres could be based on the more specific sub genres Netflix generates, or the more basic ones like Drama or Horror. You could mix them for absolute ridiculousness. Perhaps you would be able to have it choose based on similarity to a movie you’ve watched recently. Each option could be toggled on and off.

Like the idea of a recommendation, the wheel would be customized to you, except it would pull up one movie based on some specifications. It would then either play immediately, or give you a chance to veto it, depending on what you indicate in the settings menu that’s under either “Your Account” or the Choose For Me Wheel. You would never be stuck wasting time trying to find something to watch on Netflix again.

Netflix envelope ballots
Netflix’s DVD program is holding a contest. Just answer the inside of their envelope and follow the instructions to compete for a prize and vote for your favorite DVD, or actors. Photo by Sarah Hughes. All rights reserved.

Maybe you would end up seeing more movies now that your indecisiveness is removed, hypothetically allowing you to give a well-versed opinion on Netflix’s on-going contest that allows you to vote for favorites.