TikTok Is Just One Example of the Explosion of Short-Form Media

[MineralMan]

Personally, I don't use the TikTok app at all. I am familiar, though with similar short-form, portrait-format video content, and with the preference-focused algorithms that drive apps that use that format. I can say one thing about that. It is seriously addicting.

In less than a minute, such videos - if they appeal to the viewer - produce a nice little dose of dopamine in the brain. But that only lasts for a few seconds while the content is being watched. So, the algorithm, over time, learns what gives an individual that shot of dopamine. It then pumps another video that fits the algorithmic model up for viewing. Repeat as needed or desired.

I've felt it work on me with Reels on Facebook. Suddenly I realize that I've been watching related reels for longer than I intended. Facebook (Instagram) uses similar algorithms as TikTok. Watch one and you'll unconsciously watch another, and so on. Meanwhile, the algorithm keeps swapping in new material, to see if you respond the same to it. All of that preference information goes into your user data. So, the next time you watch a reel or other content, the algorithm has learned more about keeping you engaged. Over time, you'll find that you always see something you're going to like.

It's addicting. Worse, we're not even aware that we're becoming addicted.

The problem with all of that is that those apps are leading us to seek out instant, repeatable shots of dopamine. Instead of slowly taking in information and thinking about it, we get slammed with some pleasant or rewarding content and then slammed again and again, as long as we will swipe or click to the next short content that produces the effect.

All of that is not a good thing in the long run. We need to be able to focus and concentrate for more extended time periods without a constant brain chemical stimulation. If we don't do that, we run the risk of losing the ability to do that.

[Ocelot II]

1. You'll be accused of being a troglodyte or a Luddite

or some such -ite for dissing Tik Tok - There's such great stuff on Tik Tok and the Youth of America will flock to Trump if he saves it because they can't function without getting a cheap thrill on their iPhones every 30 seconds! And yes, it is addictive, and I've also become aware of it - never used Tik Tok, but have occasionally been sucked into Facebook reels. The cat videos are so cute! It's like eating candy corn, you just keep going. But Tik Tok, it seems, is especially pernicious (aside from its nasty tendency to feed user data to the Chinese government, which is what got it banned in the first place). It rots your brain:

Although we still lack comprehensive longitudinal research into the phenomenon, there is piling evidence for the detrimental effects of the app on regular users, especially on the brain development of children and teens who – ironically – happen to the most avid TikTokers.

Here is why TikTok appears to be the worst social media platform of all. Binging on an endless stream of 15-to-30-second-long videos slashes our attention span like no other type of media can do: and the fact that regular users spend hours more on average on TikTok compared to more traditional social media platforms only adds up to the problem.

Short-term memory and the ability to concentrate are also affected. Devoted TikTokers report that they are unable to focus on longer video formats anymore (let alone reading a book or doing homework!). 50% of users admit that they find longer videos “stressful”. The platform has indeed introduced longer video formats of up to 10 minutes earlier in 2022 in an attempt to diversify their advertising palette: but marketers are aware that super short videos continue to be the most engaging content type for young audiences. In 2022, the optimal length of TikTok videos is estimated to fall between 21 and 34 seconds.

Other social platforms begin to feel “slow” and boring, compared to this fast-paced app that serves new content at the flick of one’s thumb.

https://socialmediapsychology.eu/2022/08/18/tiktok-is-killing-your-brain-right-now/
and https://phillyintegrative.com/blog/tiktok-brain-the-declining-attention-spans-of-our-kids and https://psyche.co/ideas/why-teenagers-are-deliberately-seeking-brain-rot-on-tiktok

[MineralMan]

2. That's OK with me. I'm neither of those things, but

if people think so, that's on them.

I tend to agree with the article you excerpted. It's something I recognized almost immediately about that type of content. Since I've been involved in developing algorithms to influence online customer behavior, it seemed pretty obvious to me what's going on.

As I looked deeper into it, I discovered that the depth of the algorithms are impressive, as well. Users have multiple ways to interact with such content, and the algorithms make maximum used of tracking what people do and why when they view something.

I'm pretty sure at this point that such preference algorithms have become self-altering, as well. That's more complex, of course, but if it is successful, it can lead to a very sophisticated sorting and presentation pattern that is fine-tuned to each user.

That is how artificial intelligence is going to be used, in the end. Manipulation of people's reactions and responses to content is going to be essential for organizations to prosper in the future.

It's not a good thing. Not at all. I'm glad to be out of that business altogether now.

[Ocelot II]

3. It's creepy, isn't it?

It didn't take me long to recognize that there was a pattern to the Facebook reels I was seeing, so I started playing with it to see what it would feed me. It seems to recognize whether you pass over a reel or stop to watch it, and it sends you more of the kind you do watch. It also gives you new material now and then to determine whether you're interested in that stuff, so then you get more of it. So "they" know more about you in order to send you advertisements for things you might be interested in. Very sneaky.

[MineralMan]

4. And that's just the basic stuff.

Over time, the amount of data it can collect is larger than you'd think. Worse, once it figures out what videos get the best reactions from you, it can tailor its choices for revenue-producing videos to maximize results.

For example, you might like funny cat videos a lot. Now, suppose someone who is selling something has multiple ad formats, one of which includes a cute kitty doing something adorable. Guess which ad you'll see? That's simplistic, of course. They'll be more subtle than that, I imagine.

And you're right. You don't have to tap any "like" buttons, either. If you watch to the end, the assumption is that you liked it. If you jump to another video before the end, that says you didn't like it so much. If you swipe or click to see another, that's another piece of information that joins the rest.

Pretty soon, you only see videos you're going to like, which keeps you hooked.

"First one's free!"

[pimpbot]

9. There was a good movie/documentary about this

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Social_Dilemma

Unfortunately, I don't see people leaving these platforms willingly. The more and more we use them, and the younger the audience becomes, I feel like we are headed towards a future shown in Idiocracy.

[Historic NY]

5. There is Reels on FB and several others.

Most young people go for the quick clic . I can't stand Instagram, but they seem to gravitate to it.
One of our FB group sites, the young people want me to re-platform to Instagram. It doesn't covey much info, which would then make it even worse answering questions from people. I've discovered most people DO NOT know how to use Facebook. I get tons of response on a commercial account, if they click on the picture a description is there. Then there are those that don't understand how to find the album, the photo is in. They have the short attention span of gnats. They apparently don't read comments, either. Likewise, they want the info on a teaspoon.

[MineralMan]

6. Short attention spans are as common as dirt.

But, if we want to communicate to people who have short attention spans, then we're going to have to figure out how to get our message out there in that format. If we don't, someone else will. Or already has.

Just because we don't like something doesn't mean it's not important to understand. In fact, that may be one of our biggest failings politically.

[hatrack]

7. Yeah, we need to keep on shortening human attention spans . . .

Fathomless quantities of engineering and mathematical skill from around the world must be expended on this quest, the last best hope of Earth.

C'mon, it'll be fun.

[MineralMan]

8. Well, I don't know that we SHOULD do that, but

it appears that some of us, at least, ARE doing that.

[hatrack]

13. But but but but AI!!! It's The Future!!! (C). But but but but Technologeee!!(C)

.

[LeftInTX]

10. I don't like FB Reels or Stories. I hate it when my real life friends post "Stories".

They're loud and annoying.

Hence, I don't like TikTok.

I guess if I wanted to watch belly flops, it would be fun. And watching belly flops can give you a dopamine rush. I remember when YouTube had alot of that stuff when it first started.

My autistic non-verbal eight year old granddaughter is into FB or Instagram Reels. However, she's non verbal and will need care for her entire life. Hence, this is the least of our concerns with her.

[MineralMan]

11. When I watch reels, it is generally with the sound off.

I like physical humor, so I don't need a sound track.

The thing is that such things are very popular, which means that we need to understand why that is. If we simply dismiss them, we lose.

[alarimer]

12. Between social media and online sports betting, we are truly in trouble.

Socially.

(We are in lots of other trouble because of Trump).

For a chilling look at sports gambling, the podcast "Against the Rule" is really chilling.