Signups opened this week for Loops, a short-form looping video app from the creator of Instagram alternative Pixelfed, reports TechCrunch.

  • precarious_primes@lemmy.ml
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    27 days ago

    Maybe I’m just old, but I traveled by plane recently (I don’t fly very often) and seeing everyone around me mindlessly scrolling short-form video content was shocking. Looked identical to the people in the space ship in WALL-E.

        • NineMileTower@lemmy.world
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          27 days ago

          Millions upon millions disagree. Some people are alcoholics and some people can enjoy a drink now and then. It’s the same with short form video content. Not everyone is an addict and I like that I can search something and actually get answers instead of an article or 10 minute video begging for subscribers and 1/3 of the video being an intro.

          • Rimu@piefed.social
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            27 days ago

            TikTok quantified the precise amount of viewing it takes for someone to form a habit: 260 videos.

            Kentucky authorities note that while it might seem a lot, TikTok videos can be just a few seconds long.

            “Thus, in under 35 minutes, an average user is likely to become addicted to the platform,” the state investigators concluded.

            https://www.npr.org/2024/10/12/g-s1-28040/teens-tiktok-addiction-lawsuit-investigation-documents

            • lad@programming.dev
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              26 days ago

              If only I could get addicted to something socially acceptable in under 35 minutes, like doing chores, or at least maths

          • fubo@lemmy.world
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            27 days ago

            For what it’s worth, getting in the habit of making excuses for one’s use is part of alcoholism.

          • praxis_jack@lemmy.world
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            27 days ago

            Right, exactly this. Also not ALL of the stuff that’s shortform is brain rot or nonsense. There’s so many different people doing so many different things and if you give it a chance enough to find the things you like it can be as enjoyable as a long form YouTube video or whatever form of media you do consider to be more respectable than short form videos. Dismissing ALL short form content is just silly. And sure if you actually just don’t enjoy it than that’s your thing.

            • lad@programming.dev
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              26 days ago

              You’re right that there is a lot of good content, too. The problem is that a platform doesn’t care as long as you stay and watch, also you’ll need quite a lot of effort to find your own good content. So when I come to YouTube for something and end up watching more, I always know that I failed to YouTube trying to rip me off

      • FenrirIII@lemmy.world
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        27 days ago

        You can have tons of fun at the airport as long as you don’t mind getting on the no-fly list.

      • precarious_primes@lemmy.ml
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        27 days ago

        Fair, but I traveled for a music festival and saw lots of people pulling up their phones to get a few hits of TikTok/insta when there was a small lull in action. And most of them were with friends. Just enjoy your surroundings.

        • iheartneopets@lemm.ee
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          26 days ago

          Next time I’m in an airport food court I’ll try to really take in the view of the cinnabon next to the starbucks.

        • Frozengyro@lemmy.world
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          27 days ago

          I was at a party with a small group of friends recently. We were all talking in a group and then one guy started watching tik/insta/whatever with the volume on. Everyone kinda looked at each other like wtf? I asked our friend if he wanted to borrow my headphones to watch that. He took the hint and rejoined the conversation. I still was gobsmacked someone would do that while hanging out with people.

      • M137@lemmy.world
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        26 days ago

        And there are so many things you could do even just on your phone than mindless, objectively bad for your mental health shit like tiktok style content. Watch actual videos about interesting, cool and/or fun things, play a game, talk with a friend etc.

        • NineMileTower@lemmy.world
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          25 days ago

          TikTok DOES have videos of interesting, cool, fun, and even educational things. If the algorithm has you on garbage, it’s because of what you watch.

      • zingo@sh.itjust.works
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        27 days ago

        The way you write tells me you are young.

        The older you get (and having a family of your own) the more you enjoy the quiet moments, just like the ones when you sit in an airport, waiting for the plane.

        It’s really feels like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

        • NineMileTower@lemmy.world
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          27 days ago

          I’m 37 with 2 kids. Sometimes I watch short form videos to kill time when bored. I’m aware of the fact that it’s not great for me. I also drink too much caffeine.

      • whynotzoidberg@lemmy.world
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        27 days ago

        I’m not an expert, so take this as far as you’d like — reading has real benefits to our brains such as improving vocabulary, improving critical thinking skills, and improving focus. I don’t think short form videos give us the same brain benefits.

        Here’s an article from Piedmont health on the benefits of reading. I haven’t seen such an article for short form videos, but am open to it if there is one.

        https://www.piedmont.org/living-real-change/health-benefits-of-reading

    • TheFunkyMonk@lemmy.world
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      27 days ago

      Instagram has been getting me with this. I like to post sometimes, but my friends and I recently compared our screen time stats and I couldn’t believe I was regularly wasting hours a day mindlessly scrolling IG. I uninstalled the app and will just occasionally post from my computer.

    • Tux@lemmy.world
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      27 days ago

      TikTok has 2 versions:

      One is what we use. People mindlessly scroll brainrot contents with algorithm desinged to as addictive as possible.

      Another one is chinese version. It has actualy useful and educative content, but its China only.

    • Echo Dot@feddit.uk
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      26 days ago

      As opposed to doing what exactly?

      If you are upset by the video length I can provide you plenty of videos of absolute tosh that are over 18 minutes long.

      • catloaf@lemm.ee
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        26 days ago

        Reading, maybe. People don’t read actual literature as much as they used to.

        A long video would also be better for you, yes, instead of being designed to catch your attention and keep giving you dopamine hits.

    • jdeath@lemm.ee
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      27 days ago

      I’m glad there’s still a place left for us old curmudgeons that isn’t overrun by normies yet. i saw somebody suggest hosting things on tor, just for the purpose of keeping normies away from it. hilarious but probably would work great!