Pinpointing the moment when readers get bored could also help publishers create splashier digital editions by adding a video, a Web link or other multimedia features, Mr. Hilt says. Publishers might be able to determine when interest in a fiction series is flagging if readers who bought and finished the first two books quickly suddenly slow down or quit reading later books in the series.

"The bigger trend we're trying to unearth is where are those drop-offs in certain kinds of books, and what can we do with publishers to prevent that?" Mr. Hilt says. "If we can help authors create even better books than they create today, it's a win for everybody."

No, it's not.

By catering to the lowest common denominator we produce media that stagnates us. Our best characteristics are not our most common ones. Our best motivators are not our most shared ones.

Privacy issues aside. This algorithmic media creation leads us into a swamp of navel-gazing ignorance.