Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok

joinloops.org

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

11–20 of 411 posts

Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok

#11

Post by avidruntime »

Almondsetat wrote: post #5

"Open-source TikTok" is like reading "open source slot machine". Not something you should be proud of, no matter how much you sugarcoat it with "All the fun of short-form video, none of the corporate control"

Short form content is a medium that isn't going away. Short form content is not inherently harmful, although short form content replacing or displacing other important mediums arguably is. When I think about the issues stemming from short form content, I don't think about the inherent medium, I think about the providers and their capabilities to use the sum of all consumed content by a user in the name of a ulterior motive at scale. While I haven't investigated it too deeply, Loops seems to be an effort in patching that. Is your objection in the marketing language or in the inherent technology?

Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok

#15

Post by dangus »

Pulcinella wrote: post #12
umairnadeem123 wrote: post #9

[dead]

Counterpoint: The format is bad. The constant stream of videos, skipping between videos at (relatively) your own pace, the anticipation about the next video; it's similar to electronic gambling machines.

To use the analogy of other vice industries like gambling or alcohol, would you rather buy those products from shady unregulated vendors or more transparent regulated entities?

That’s the type of analogy we might make in this case.

Obviously many people (literally billions) like this format and use it in relative moderation to unwind and kill time. Hell, I’ve even gotten productive helpful information out of the format on occasion.

It’s also taken a critical role in journalism and current events.

Unless you’re advocating prohibition, the cat is out of the bag.

Being able to find a short form video alternative that isn’t owned by commercial/government interests is a positive thing.

Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok

#20

Post by CharlesW »

weezing wrote: post #7

This form of content is bad regardless of platform.

The problem with TikTok isn't the form, which is effectively StumbleUpon for short-form video (or Dave Winer's "river of news" in video form, if you prefer).

There's brainrot content on all platforms, but there's also ArtTok, BookTok, CraftTok, EduTok, FoodTok, GardenTok, HistoryTok, MathTok, MusicTok, PoliTok, ScienceTok, TechTok, and lots more.

Post reply on HN