this post was submitted on 27 Aug 2023
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I've been doubting my sexuality lately and I freaked out when Google recommended an ad with LGBT couple on it. Not even my friends or family know that side of me.
I'm going to push back against everyone saying that the algorithm knows. While not unthinkable, I believe it is much more likely that it is a coincidence, and what you're experiencing is called the frequency illusion. Simply because your sexuality has been on your mind lately, you're more likely to notice things that remind you of it - not because those things are more prevalent but simply because you, subconsciously, pay more attention to them.
That said, privacy is important and you should definitely try to maintain it - e.g. use a private browser window in a fresh browser instance to research things related to sexuality.
Yeah, the Baader–Meinhof phenomenon is fascinating and something that I experience constantly. I would be surprised if that's not what's going on here. I've never experienced it for something as personal and important as doubting my sexuality though, that must be jarring as hell.