The Connection Between TikTok Videos and Victorian Parlour Games

The Connection Between TikTok Videos and Victorian Parlour Games

In today's digital age, social media platforms have become our community theatre. We gather online to connect, share, and engage with others, much like how people used to gather in community theatres to form social ties. This idea of social ties and community is not a new concept; it has been discussed and explored throughout history.

One such exploration comes from the Dutch historian Johan Huizinga, who argued in the late 1930s that we transmit culture through play. He believed that play, whether it's a card game, amateur sports, or children's make-believe, promotes the formation of social groupings that last long after the game is over. Huizinga referred to play as a "magic circle" that creates a lasting feeling of being "apart together" in an exceptional situation, where we share something important and mutually withdraw from the rest of the world.

This concept of the magic circle can also be seen in our social activities today, particularly on platforms like TikTok. TikTok videos, with their creative and often fantastical content, allow users to transform the most familiar circumstances into engaging and entertaining experiences. It is within this magic circle that social ties are formed, and culture is transmitted.

However, with the current technology and the ease of imitating what others do, there is a risk of bad behaviors prevailing and being imitated as well. This is the ultimate challenge in the management of social media – to maximize its benefits and minimize its risks. We must learn where to draw the magic circle, allowing for creativity and social connections while also maintaining a safe and positive environment.

In the realm of social media, there is a parallel to the development of search engines. In the early days of the internet, search engines like the World Wide Web Worm (WWWW) had a limited index of web pages, but they were already receiving a significant number of queries per day. As technology advanced, search engines like Altavista claimed to handle millions of queries per day.

The goal of improving search engines' quality is similar to the challenge of managing social media – to provide users with valuable and relevant results while minimizing the risks and abuses that can occur. Just as the magic circle creates a safe and engaging space for play, search engines aim to create an environment where users can quickly find the information they need.

One approach that search engines have taken to improve their results is through the use of algorithms like PageRank. PageRank considers the citation (link) graph of the web, weighing links from different pages based on their importance and normalizing them by the number of links on a page. This model of user behavior assumes a "random surfer" who clicks on links, eventually getting bored and starting on another random page. The probability of visiting a page is its PageRank, and the damping factor accounts for the surfer's likelihood of requesting another random page.

This approach allows search engines to personalize results and make it difficult for individuals to deliberately manipulate the system for higher rankings. However, the predominant business model for commercial search engines is advertising, which may not always align with providing the highest quality search results for users.

In conclusion, whether it's TikTok videos or Victorian parlour games, play has always been a powerful tool for creating social ties and transmitting culture. The challenge lies in managing these platforms and technologies to maximize their benefits and minimize their risks. To achieve this, here are three actionable pieces of advice:

1. Foster a positive and inclusive community: Encourage users to create content that promotes positivity, creativity, and respect. Establish clear guidelines and moderation processes to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for all users.

2. Implement effective algorithms: Continuously improve search engine algorithms to provide users with accurate and relevant results. Consider factors beyond popularity and engagement, such as credibility, expertise, and diversity of sources.

3. Educate users about responsible use: Promote digital literacy and responsible online behavior. Encourage users to critically evaluate information, fact-check, and be mindful of the potential impact of their actions and choices on others.

By following these guidelines and continuously adapting to the evolving landscape of social media and search engines, we can create a digital world that harnesses the power of play and community while mitigating its risks. Let us learn from the past, embrace the present, and shape a better future for all.