My impression is that TikTok is the most shameless exploiter of curating content to maximize attention. You resign all the control and hope to petition "the algorithm" to change what you get to see -- like some kind of a god that ultimatly controls you, no matter what you sacrifice. They are in a position to spread propaganda and prevent imformation from spreading -- or you from being heard. Even more so, this can be individualized (especially with the rise of virtual influencers). I wonder, if it might eventually be able to change someone's mind by slowly nudging them in the right direction, breaking down pre-existing beliefs and positions. And as youtube, twitter, etc. have shown, one of the main ways to increase addiction is to spread controversy. Have people screem and cry at one another, who wants mediation? Society is being reduced to a means of entertainment.
As a frequent user of tiktok i have to say that it's the closest think to real (aka non curated) social media.
It shows you stuff you like to engage with and not just viral videos. It shows you popular videos and videos with 10 views, most of it relevant - to the point where it doesn't matter how many views a video has. They have solved the discoverability problem other video platforms have.
Sure, they might ruin it with propaganda in the future, just like twitter/youtube, but atm it's the truest social media app out there.
This reminds me of the saying "the best design in the design you don't notice" (or something like that). Just because it seems authentic, doesn't mean it is not curated. That is not to say that curation is an issue in itself, just that it requires a system that becomes dangerous when abused.
It's very true regarding propaganda. Personally, I noticed that TikTok mirrors my interests and views very precisely in everything but politics – all the political videos I happen to see in my feed are to the left of my views and never to the right.
Probably you watched more political content to the left of your own views. You might like it more, or they may trigger you more, or cause more morbid curiosity.
It's the same for me just because content to the left of my views causes my curiosity while content to the right of my views repulses me quickly with its stupidity.
