The Algorithm Hunger Games: Desperation Ratings, Loyalty Leaks, and Polished Fake Sincerity – Informer Underground #4
Satire Disclaimer
The following is a work of satire intended to parody the modern media landscape, influencer culture, and the brutal, soul-thirsty bureaucracy behind trending content.
If you’ve ever tried to emotionally rebrand yourself in case someone was watching—same.
That’s what this show is about.
Something strange is happening at Informer.Digital.
It started with a ripple—an unspoken tension in the break room. Then the ripple turned into a tremor.
Now, it’s a full-blown paranoia quake, and at the epicenter is the hottest show in the building:
The Algorithm That Seduced Me.
Everyone wants in. Not because they believe in it. Not because they love the story. But because they think being cast might save their job.
> “The moment Novella Kane walked by with that trench coat and trauma lighting, half of Accounting scheduled headshots. The algorithm was watching.”
Fake Shows, Real Algorithmic Chaos
With attention comes envy—and with envy comes everyone pitching their own desperate side projects:
Algorithm Adjacent: A behind-the-scenes docuseries about people who almost got cast, and the algorithm that rejected them.
Bootlickers of Bureaucracy: A workplace drama about those who support the rebellion… but still bcc Central Command to please Big A.
Lights, Camera, Compliance: HR’s submission, where cast members admit policy violations to earn forgiveness.
I Was a Clickbait Queen Until I Fell in Love with a Hashtagged Fugitive: Polly’s romantic satire that got Sandy to stop returning her texts—and possibly broke the algorithm with its rawness.
Decency Index Live: A game show where contestants fake empathy while secretly scoring each other’s sincerity for algorithmic rewards.
Trust Is the First Casualty of the Algorithm
Old alliances are eroding. Slowly at first. Then all at once.
The Studio Loyalists suspect the Glow-Ups are leaking audition tapes to manipulate the algorithm in their favor.
Frankie is suddenly very quiet. He now eats lunch suspiciously close to where Castor sits, possibly hoping to sync with the Big A’s vibe.
Tinfoil Tony insists he’s been written into Episode 5 as a misunderstood prophet. “My arc starts now!” he yells. “The algorithm told me!”
> “I pitched a three-episode redemption arc,” whispered Greg from accounting. “Big A gave me a sympathy like… then ghosted me.”
Tinfoil Tuesdays Have Moved to Thursdays
Why? No one knows.
Some say Thursdays have better algorithmic engagement due to midweek despair. Others say the moon.
Tony is livid.
> “You can’t just move the paranoia! It’s tied to the vending machine!”
Underground Memo Leak #243:
> “Reminder: Your value is now determined by how meme-able your emotional breakdowns are. Please cry authentically, but in landscape mode. Vertical tears will be flagged by Big A’s Sentiment Filter™.”
The Rehearsal Rebellion
A small but growing group has begun preparing to be betrayed on camera. They practice monologues in mirrors. They stage surprise twist endings in conference calls. One intern brought in a smoke machine to trigger the algorithm.
The paranoia is spreading. Mandatory all-hands meetings now include acting warm-ups. A recent memo asked employees to “emote with range” during lunch.
Someone from HR was spotted near accounting, trying to see if a final check was being printed.
Every printer jam sparks new rumors.
The janitor’s cart now includes two walkie-talkies and a pair of binoculars. Nobody’s sure who he’s reporting to—but everyone’s sure it’s not good.
No one knows what happens if you disappoint Big A. But the last person to ask hasn’t been seen since their plotline tested below a 42.
No one wants to be left out of Big A’s next twist.
This isn’t satire. This is survival.
And survival, here at Informer.Digital, means knowing which side of the algorithm your storyline is buttered on.
Stay low.
Stay watchful.
And for the love of all things trending, stay in the algorithm’s good graces.
Underground, we see you.
Mike worked in the radio industry for 35 years which means sarcastic, tongue-in-cheek, satirical, trash talking characters to remind you laughter is good for the soul! Let’s have some fun with entertainment, movies and TV, sports, budget food and games, lifestyle and we’ll get ridiculous.
