I’m concerned about the long term effect of TikTok and Temu.
They’re different (one is social media, the other is e-commerce). But they have more similarities than differences.
Both apps are loved by the GenZ/Alpha. Both are Chinese-owned apps. But most importantly, both apps are little dopamine machines, turning people into scrolling/tapping chimpanzees, disguised under “maximizing engagement using gamification”.
We now live in a world where people regularly pay tips to those who do meaningless shit, so they do more of meaningless shit. Short videos not just reduced attention span, they altered brain functions. Long form texts and books, arguably the best form of media to foster deep human imaginations, are quickly losing ground.
The $4 plastic accessories on Temu are bought on impulse and get thrown away as quickly as they’re bought, while producing so much pollution and waste during production, shipping, and disposal.
The true danger is the success of these apps might lead to the proliferation of similar apps, all trying to produce more dopamine and push people to consume more meaningless content and products.
I’m not suggesting we ban TikTok and Temu – but at least I can see where some of the concerns are coming from.