Unleashing the True Potential of TikTok and Tools for Thought

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Hatched by Glasp

Aug 12, 2023

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Unleashing the True Potential of TikTok and Tools for Thought

In today's digital age, where social media platforms are constantly evolving, TikTok has emerged as a unique platform that offers innovative solutions to common problems. One such problem is the "cold start problem" faced by AI engineers when recommending content to new users. TikTok, however, tackles this issue in a fundamentally different way.

Unlike other platforms, TikTok ensures that even new users receive a significant number of views on their videos, regardless of the content's quality. This is because TikTok distributes the burden of viewing new videos among all its users. Only established TikTokers with a certain level of fanbase are allowed to post one-minute videos. This unique approach leverages the short-form nature of 15-second videos and solves the cold start problem through a human-in-the-loop mechanism implemented by ByteDance.

The question then arises: is the pursuit of content creation primarily driven by the desire to contribute to a meaningful output or to expand one's influence? In the future, the focus on expanding influence will gradually diminish. Regardless of whether the content is created by an unknown individual or an influencer, as long as it holds value, mechanisms will be in place to ensure its visibility and reach among a wider audience. This shift opens up new possibilities for non-influencers to find their place in the digital landscape.

So, how should non-influencers navigate this changing landscape? With limited time in life, it becomes crucial to prioritize and seize opportunities that truly hold meaning. Constantly looking ahead to the next era and identifying what truly matters is essential. In the current age, it is not evaluations or credibility that hold utmost importance, but the intrinsic value of the content itself.

Building on the concept of Tools for Thought, it becomes evident that relying on a single centralized platform for all functions is not feasible. The rapid advancements in technology necessitate the use of multiple programs to complete projects effectively. While centralized platforms like Basecamp, Asana, Jira, or Zoho offer convenience, no single company can excel in every function. Therefore, the unbundling of tools becomes a natural progression.

Unbundling tools allows for a more tailored approach to different use cases. The lack of centralization and cross-app hyperlinking does not hinder productivity significantly. Tools for thought promise the ability to centralize and hyperlink all data, but the user experience in a plugin-based app universe often falls short. The reality is that separate apps serve their purposes well, and the need for a hyperlinked database is not as essential as it may seem.

Taking a closer look at specific use cases, it becomes apparent that specialized apps offer more efficient solutions. Journaling, for instance, can be easily managed through dedicated apps like Todoist, which provide features like recurring tasks, due dates, and reminders. Similarly, learning and note-taking can be streamlined with apps like RemNote, which combine long-form prose notes and flashcards in a single interface.

Contacts, another common area that may be included in personal wikis, can be effectively managed using existing tools like Google Contacts or spreadsheets. The same applies to fiction writing, where specialized writing tools and version control systems like Git offer superior functionality. Process notes and collection management also find better solutions outside the realm of personal wikis, whether through note-taking apps or dedicated database tools like Tellico.

The key takeaway here is that building a vast interconnected knowledge graph, while aspirational, often leads to an overwhelming amount of banal content. Every link and node becomes a debt, and the utility of each link diminishes in comparison to the overall structure. The pursuit of a hyperlinked database does not outweigh the benefits of specialized apps and the ability to compartmentalize data effectively.

In conclusion, the true innovation of TikTok lies in its approach to content distribution, alleviating the cold start problem faced by new users. Unbundling tools for thought reveals that specialized apps offer more efficient and tailored solutions for different use cases. Prioritizing the intrinsic value of content and embracing the diverse range of existing tools will lead to more productive and meaningful outcomes.

Actionable Advice:

  • 1. Embrace the unique distribution model of TikTok: Whether you're a new user or an established TikToker, leverage the platform's mechanism of burden-sharing to ensure your content reaches a wider audience.
  • 2. Identify the most suitable specialized apps for your needs: Instead of relying on a single centralized platform, explore and experiment with different apps that excel in specific functions, such as journaling, note-taking, or task management.
  • 3. Focus on the intrinsic value of your content: In a digital landscape driven by the quality and relevance of content, prioritize creating meaningful and valuable content that resonates with your audience, rather than solely seeking to expand your influence.

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