[ramoz]

We’ve arguably been a better society with TikTok than with any other large-scale American platform. The moderation policies on Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, or any media outlet have been egregious, and more detrimental to the cultural health of the United States.

At the same time, we’re still not equipped to fully understand the complex and often hidden ways that information can influence people online. Some critics go as far as attributing mind-control capabilities to TikTok, yet everyone’s “For You” page is different—driven largely by a user-led algorithm rather than top-down editorial control.

So we've stripped back a genuine outlet for the masses. And now must accept prescription/participation for any similar digital experience or large-scale information sharing in our country.

[titanomachy]

> everyone’s “For You” page is different—driven largely by a user-led algorithm rather than top-down editorial control.

But do you really know this? Just because your homepage is different from other people, doesn't mean there isn't a thumb on the scale.

Of course, Meta and the like also tweak their algorithms, in their case to maximize engagement and profit. Who knows what TikTok might be optimizing for?

I personally think we should regulate the shit out of all these things, especially the hyper-addictive short-form video brain rot, and especially for children.