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While you aren't using the words "algorithm" or "social", another perspective to see is that the "medium" is not just video. It is a specific type of short, rep
by thenerdhead 4y ago
While you aren't using the words "algorithm" or "social", another perspective to see is that the "medium" is not just video. It is a specific type of short, repeatable, and trivialized pieces of video content. Created by mostly individual creators in niche social networks that convey extreme feelings of pain and pleasure in an infinite feed.
TikTok is addictive in every category. People are addicted to it just like people are addicted to other mediums like books, radio, and tv. Creators are also addicted to creating for it manipulated by incentives and sponsorship opportunities. It is a borderline technological narcotic.
To be human is to be addicted to something. We are addicted to the many "wants" in our lives being sold through these 15s-3 minute videos.
> You may as well write a blog post saying "TV is addictive and it's dying because of commercials"
When the going gets tough, the tough goes shopping.
There's actually a few books on this! i.e. consumerism and advertising
Four arguments for the elimination of television by Jerry Mander
Amusing ourselves to death by Neil Postman
The shallows by Nicolas Carr
And the classic, brave new world by Aldous Huxley
- thundergolfer 4y agoAlso Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace. The addictive quality of entertainment is a central theme, and the book contains the memorable Samizdat videotape that’s so entertaining you watch it immobilised until you die. The Samizdat is the reduction ad absurdim of TikTok era social media addiction.
- coffee_beqn 4y agoI guess it’s not a new idea but it is a more potent version of the same. DFW himself had a serious TV addiction which is where that idea comes from.