People love to shit on TikTok, but honestly, I really enjoy it. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. Short-form content can be a lot—for me too. It took me a while to hone my algorithm and wade through stuff I didn’t like. But TikTok stands out compared to Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. The content feels more authentic and engaging. When I scroll through TikTok, I often feel like I’m learning something new or having my perspective challenged.
TikTok’s algorithm doesn’t completely suppress leftist views. It’s one of the few platforms where conversations about issues like the genocide in Palestine actually gain traction. Of course, it’s a corporate platform, and it’s far from perfect. It has its alt-right pipelines and played a role in Trump winning this election because it was popular, and his team utilized it. But let’s not pretend that’s unique to TikTok—all social media platforms are allowing and often skewing towards the alt-right.
And then there’s the whole “TikTok is Chinese spyware” narrative, which just feels like a distraction. If we’re worried about surveillance, let’s not ignore how U.S.-based platforms are also spying on us—for corporations and the government alike. Singling out TikTok for being Chinese misses the bigger picture entirely. This ban is happening because Meta and others don’t want competition.
I don’t remember much political shit with vine. Just silly videos that didn’t reek of trying to game the algorithm to make money.
It makes me think of how tablets failed originally but then apple made them and everyone wanted to pay to lick the turtleneck guy’s asshole.
People love to shit on TikTok, but honestly, I really enjoy it. It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay. Short-form content can be a lot—for me too. It took me a while to hone my algorithm and wade through stuff I didn’t like. But TikTok stands out compared to Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts. The content feels more authentic and engaging. When I scroll through TikTok, I often feel like I’m learning something new or having my perspective challenged.
TikTok’s algorithm doesn’t completely suppress leftist views. It’s one of the few platforms where conversations about issues like the genocide in Palestine actually gain traction. Of course, it’s a corporate platform, and it’s far from perfect. It has its alt-right pipelines and played a role in Trump winning this election because it was popular, and his team utilized it. But let’s not pretend that’s unique to TikTok—all social media platforms are allowing and often skewing towards the alt-right.
And then there’s the whole “TikTok is Chinese spyware” narrative, which just feels like a distraction. If we’re worried about surveillance, let’s not ignore how U.S.-based platforms are also spying on us—for corporations and the government alike. Singling out TikTok for being Chinese misses the bigger picture entirely. This ban is happening because Meta and others don’t want competition.
I don’t remember much political shit with vine. Just silly videos that didn’t reek of trying to game the algorithm to make money. It makes me think of how tablets failed originally but then apple made them and everyone wanted to pay to lick the turtleneck guy’s asshole.