This form of content is bad regardless of platform.
Sure but there are like 5 layers of bad with tiktok, this undoes at least 2-3 of them
Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
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Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
#82For 20+ years World of Warcraft has dominated the MMORPG genre. There have been a host of challengers and they've all miserably failed. In fact, there have only been a handful of successes (eg UO, EQ, FF14). And what do almost all of these challengers have in common? Some version of "the PvP is going to be amazing". Why do these companies like PVP? Because it's essentially user-generated content. It increases time sp…
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Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
#83Good that they have a web version. But the most basic functionality of going to the next video is only available via scroll (no keyboard arrow down?) and it has a really long animation and delay? Just feels awful to use. I feel if you wanna win in this space, especially with people who prefer more "free" platforms, then the non-app version should be a bigger priority IMO.
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Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
#84this is like using an "ethically produced" brick to smash your foot with; The method of manufacturing the brick isn't the problem.
These formats are designed for a specific purpose; maximizing engagement to extract value.
so we've remove the incentive to extract value but we leave the predatory design that maximize engagement? You working in a different milieu but you are bringing the worst parts of the previous milieu along for the ride.
Please, anybody working on this kind of alternative social platform, we need to rethink how we interact online; decentralization leaves the worst parts of modern social media completely unaddressed.
Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
#85Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
#86Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
The problem I find with it is that it's such a monoculture. Everyone is copying everyone else. As an example: there's this stupid skit going around. Someone asks a waiter "Could I ask you about the menu please?". The waiter comes really close and goes like "The men I please is none of your business". It's an ok joke but I've seen literally 20 different people doing the same skit in the last two weeks and it gets so d…
>The problem I find with it is that it's such a monoculture. Everyone is copying everyone else.
congratulations on discovering mimesis
Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
#87this is like using an "ethically produced" brick to smash your foot with; The method of manufacturing the brick isn't the problem. These formats are designed for a specific purpose; maximizing engagement to extract value. so we've remove the incentive to extract value but we leave the predatory design that maximize engagement? You working in a different milieu but you are bringing the worst parts of the previous mili…
One of the unspoken parts of the open source social media movement is to put the 'social' back in the 'social media'. There has been a fine line between true user-driven content and centrally-controlled (and often authoritarian-lite) algorithms; with major players (advertisers, oligarchs, governments) putting their thumb on the latter half to ensure that everyone stays isolated, divided, and pacified.
Everything you called out is a symptom of that control: engagement baiting, algorithmic manipulation, censorship and suppression. Absent these items, social media can be an incredible force for good and a hopeful longer term future of more peace.
Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
#88Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
#89I do not know how to phrase this politely. I like the platform and the concept is interesting. But the people on it are just so far away from what me (and men my age) deem interesting and seem to be hostile to anything that doesnt fit their very restrictive ideals.
You'll never find sports, guns, cars, comedy and a lot of other mainstream content on these platforms even though there is nothing inherently offensive about it. I havent used Loops but im assuming its the same crowd as on Mastodon.
Re: Loops is a federated, open-source TikTok
#90This is actually pretty exciting. Excited to see how this turns out. But I am wondering how to keep it financially possible to operate the platform. Also, 95+% of the users probably don't care that much about censorship and privacy enough to switch platform.
I would have thought that the point of federation is not to require centralized servers that cost a lot to operate.
But sure, something like this probably requires a fundamentally different revenue model. Maybe even the one where people donate to server operators.