4 ms·

It's interesting to view through the lense of 'new media' vs 'broadcast media'. In the old broadcast media days, US kept a pretty close eye on foreign media n

It's interesting to view through the lense of 'new media' vs 'broadcast media'. In the old broadcast media days, US kept a pretty close eye on foreign media networks and they never had a foothold the way American media companies had. Think RT Meanwhile, VOA operated (still does) around the globe spreading freedom and liberty. (Not sarcasm, really...) Today, we have foreign media operators serving content to the American population, including minors, unfettered. Look at the disasters of the 20th century for evidence of the power of ideas. A group of people united by an idea is a force to reckon with, and we're allowing foreign agents to control the flow of ideas on a broad scale. (I'm not against free speech, quite the opposite, I'm just pointing out the obvious). These questions aren't simple to answer, nor are the proposed solutions going to make people happy, but you've rightly identified they're of pressing national concern. One thing is for certain: we're in for the time of our lives.

hakfoo 3y ago
If there's one thing we've learned from the last 25 years, it's that platforms are fickle, ESPECIALLY ones whose success is defined as "where the cool kids are". Even if you assume there's some magic subliminial Sinocentric messaging in the app, by the time the TikTok audience is old enough to be in positions of power, its influence will be long gone-- a stock photo screenshot on a nostalgia slideshow next to "remember the Xbox 360?" or "That white second-generation Prius that there was one of in every neighbourhood." This will all blow over in another few years. The kids will move on to VipVorp and Slipppper, parents' groups will while about the scourge of four-dimensional VR hyper-porn, and the world will keep spinning. If the rise of China is an actual existential threat (spoiler: it's not-- there's a difference between "we can't act with complete impunity on the global stage anymore" and "suddenly we have the per-capita GDP of Haiti") then it's going to take more than economic roadblocks and scare tactics. America has to make itself more competitive-- better education, better infrastructure, more strategic use of subsidy and planning tools, more money in R&D and less on stock buybacks.

hakfoo 3y ago

If there's one thing we've learned from the last 25 years, it's that platforms are fickle, ESPECIALLY ones whose success is defined as "where the cool kids are". Even if you assume there's some magic subliminial Sinocentric messaging in the app, by the time the TikTok audience is old enough to be in positions of power, its influence will be long gone-- a stock photo screenshot on a nostalgia slideshow next to "remember the Xbox 360?" or "That white second-generation Prius that there was one of in every neighbourhood." This will all blow over in another few years. The kids will move on to VipVorp and Slipppper, parents' groups will while about the scourge of four-dimensional VR hyper-porn, and the world will keep spinning. If the rise of China is an actual existential threat (spoiler: it's not-- there's a difference between "we can't act with complete impunity on the global stage anymore" and "suddenly we have the per-capita GDP of Haiti") then it's going to take more than economic roadblocks and scare tactics. America has to make itself more competitive-- better education, better infrastructure, more strategic use of subsidy and planning tools, more money in R&D and less on stock buybacks.