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TikTok and the network effects of creativity

eugenewei.com

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Re: TikTok and the network effects of creativity

#11

Post by wilde »

adventured wrote: post #2

The author is very incorrect. > By network effects of creativity, I mean that every additional user on TikTok makes every other user more creative. That is false. TikTok isn't a creativity amplification network, it's a mimic network. The extreme majority of humans are mimics, they essentially never create or do anything creative or original. They are incapable of that (cue the outrage at such a statement, even though…

TikTok is powered by “yes, and”, which is a perfectly fine form of creativity.

Re: TikTok and the network effects of creativity

#13

Post by jlykins »

This comment is a slightly tangential shameless plug, but I just want to point out that I loved the structure of this essay. There were a lot of great little ideas that I don't think would have seen the light of day in a more traditional sort of blog post.

> All the points I wanted to cover seem hyperlinked in a sprawling loose tangle. This could easily have been several standalone posts. I've been stuck on how to structure it.

> This piece is long, but if you get bored in any one section, you can just scroll on the next one; they're separated by horizontal rules for easy visual scanning. You can also read them out of order. There are lots of cross-references, though, so if you skip some of the segments, others may not make complete sense. However, it’s ultimately not a big deal.

I've long wondered how many essays don't get published because the author struggles to generate a "through line." Sometimes organizing ideas is harder than coming up with them. This is certainly a problem I struggle with.

I've been working on software[1] that encourages you to publish ambitious online media even if it's a bit disjointed. Currently, only me and my friends and family are using it because it is very rough around the edges, but it is good enough that I personally use it every single day.

If this sounds interesting to any HN comment readers I'd love to give you a beta code or a live demo to hear your thoughts. Send me an email at jon@edifice.pub

[1] https://edifice.pub

Re: TikTok and the network effects of creativity

#14

Post by boh »

adventured wrote: post #2

The author is very incorrect. > By network effects of creativity, I mean that every additional user on TikTok makes every other user more creative. That is false. TikTok isn't a creativity amplification network, it's a mimic network. The extreme majority of humans are mimics, they essentially never create or do anything creative or original. They are incapable of that (cue the outrage at such a statement, even though…

In its basic form, creativity is an act of creation. Whether or not these creations are at the Picasso/Mozart/Proust level of high art, creativity is technically operating in this network. Measuring creativity in the way where more of x produces more of y (more users=more creativity) is of course, not a real analysis. More people produce more content which may or may not be creative in nature (it can be a product review for instance).

Re: TikTok and the network effects of creativity

#15

Post by ggggtez »

adventured wrote: post #2

The author is very incorrect. > By network effects of creativity, I mean that every additional user on TikTok makes every other user more creative. That is false. TikTok isn't a creativity amplification network, it's a mimic network. The extreme majority of humans are mimics, they essentially never create or do anything creative or original. They are incapable of that (cue the outrage at such a statement, even though…

I think you're wrong, but I don't think this should be downvoted.

I think it helps to compare "copy and remix" with "does nothing". Compare "watched 50 difference dances" with "saw 0 dances". When you see it in that light, it would be difficult to argue that some people don't get inspired by seeing new things.

Now, I might argue that the level of creativity added from each additional user is not linear. That the creativity added is vacuous, pointless, 99% mimicry, and doesn't actually move the conversation forward...

But there are those 1% of users who are able to participate in the global conversation and say something new, who otherwise would not be able to participate, that I think it's at least worth acknolwedging.

Re: TikTok and the network effects of creativity

#16

Post by OrbitRock »

adventured wrote: post #2

The author is very incorrect. > By network effects of creativity, I mean that every additional user on TikTok makes every other user more creative. That is false. TikTok isn't a creativity amplification network, it's a mimic network. The extreme majority of humans are mimics, they essentially never create or do anything creative or original. They are incapable of that (cue the outrage at such a statement, even though…

Maybe all creativity is just mimics who repeat things and add a little bit of variation.

I think the book Steal Like an Artist addresses this.

Re: TikTok and the network effects of creativity

#17

Post by cambalache »

adventured wrote: post #2

The author is very incorrect. > By network effects of creativity, I mean that every additional user on TikTok makes every other user more creative. That is false. TikTok isn't a creativity amplification network, it's a mimic network. The extreme majority of humans are mimics, they essentially never create or do anything creative or original. They are incapable of that (cue the outrage at such a statement, even though…

Good point. Even here in HN is very common from n-th YC me too company, to the "check out my innovative new JS framework/library/tool".

Re: TikTok and the network effects of creativity

#18

Post by cambalache »

OrbitRock wrote: post #16
adventured wrote: post #2

The author is very incorrect. > By network effects of creativity, I mean that every additional user on TikTok makes every other user more creative. That is false. TikTok isn't a creativity amplification network, it's a mimic network. The extreme majority of humans are mimics, they essentially never create or do anything creative or original. They are incapable of that (cue the outrage at such a statement, even though…

Maybe all creativity is just mimics who repeat things and add a little bit of variation. I think the book Steal Like an Artist addresses this.

Or maybe it isnt, and the great breakthroughs are the result of fantastic imaginative and courageous minds.

Re: TikTok and the network effects of creativity

#19

Post by OrbitRock »

jlykins wrote: post #13

This comment is a slightly tangential shameless plug, but I just want to point out that I loved the structure of this essay. There were a lot of great little ideas that I don't think would have seen the light of day in a more traditional sort of blog post. > All the points I wanted to cover seem hyperlinked in a sprawling loose tangle. This could easily have been several standalone posts. I've been stuck on how to st…

What kind of format would it be published in?

This is pretty interesting as it is a problem I struggle with too.

Your landing page there reminds me of something else I’m a fan of, e.g. Building a Second Brain through notes and web clips as discussed here: https://tanners.blog/diy-second-brain/

But these are more focused solely on the background processes of organizing information.

I’m curious about how your system would encourage publishing, “even if it’s a bit disjointed”, as that seems kind of the logical next step. (And definitely a challenge for me too!)

Re: TikTok and the network effects of creativity

#20

Post by OrbitRock »

cambalache wrote: post #18
OrbitRock wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Maybe all creativity is just mimics who repeat things and add a little bit of variation. I think the book Steal Like an Artist addresses this.

Or maybe it isnt, and the great breakthroughs are the result of fantastic imaginative and courageous minds.

Fantastic and courageous minds working from the void?

Or fantastic and courageous minds responding to some cultural or historical material?

(Which would be much in the way a TikToker responds to a meme while adding some of their own spice).

Let’s not get bogged down by the fact that one domain might be perceived as more valuable/respected and the other not so.

What have philosophers ever done post-Socrates except come across the ecosystem of historical philosophers and riff off of that?

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