Books and TV and Movies, Oh My!

Madeline Rhodes is an Anderson University alumna who graduated with a degree in Art Education. Passionate about creativity and visual storytelling, Madeline approaches film through an artistic lens, paying close attention to how visuals, themes, and messages shape the way audiences interpret stories. Her background in art and education gives her a thoughtful perspective on how people learn to appreciate media and develop personal taste over time. Madeline is also my sister, and growing up together meant that movies were often a shared experience in our household. Over the years, we noticed how our viewing habits began to shift as streaming platforms and algorithms started recommending content for us. Because of that shared history and her background in the arts, I knew she would bring an honest and relatable perspective to this conversation about how algorithms influence what we decide to watch. Madeline’s experience as an artist and educator provides a meaningful viewpoint on how technology shapes media consumption and creative expression. Her reflections on how algorithms guide our choices — sometimes without us realizing it — help deepen the discussion about audience behavior, personal taste, and the role technology plays in modern film culture, making her a valuable guest for The Digital Screening Room.