Comment on Teens are making thousands by debating Trump vs. Harris on TikTok.
braindefragger@lemmy.world 2 months ago
My main concern is that, because the focus is primarily on making money, some young people might mistake entertainment for truth. The content creators are more interested in earning money and are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve that, rather than providing accurate discourse. In reality, this election is not a viral video, a TikTok challenge, or a source of amusement. It is a serious real-life event with significant consequences.
The other side of that coin is that society has been publicly parodying candidates since the beginning. So who am I to judge this new form of it.
My main concern is that, because the focus is primarily on making money, some young people might mistake entertainment for truth.
This affects everyone. Look at Fox News, who every time they get sued, they call themselves an entertainment network rather than a news network. Then you have Infowars and even less political entertainment like the Joe Rogan podcast.
My main concern is that, because the focus is primarily on making money, some young people might mistake entertainment for truth.
Young people?!!?! You ever heard of the MSM, homie?
Being purely optimistic, I’d say that it’s great that kids are taking interest in politics.
However, like you said, the money making focus could take priority over true opinions. And on top of everything, this is taking place on a platform where the platform is in full control of who sees what.
Far from the ideal of soapboxes in the town square, but I guess that’s just today’s world.
wccrawford@lemmy.world 2 months ago
This already happens with those comedy talk show hosts. They create rage-bait stories and spin them for good entertainment, and people think it’s an accurate look at the situation. I used to kind of enjoy them until one of them hit on a subject I had just researched and knew immediately how they were spinning it. I can’t stand them now.
So while this is a concern, it’s one that’s already being done on a much larger scale with people who feel a lot more trustworthy. I’m not really worried about some kids that are also doing it.
braindefragger@lemmy.world 2 months ago
Definitely. I completely agree. Which is why I mentioned it at the end of my comment.
One thing I will say though, as an adult, watching those comedy shows, I’m aware it’s a comedy show. Some shows are better than others reporting accurately. But it’s still a comedy show and advertised as such. They have never reached even remotely the level of nonsense presented HOURLY of TV News Networks like OAN and Fox News.
braindefragger@lemmy.world 2 months ago
One more thought…
That’s a fair point.
My personal opinion: Over the years, I’ve learned to always keep the big picture in mind. While these comedy shows often bend things for the sake of humor, they’ve still provided me with valuable perspectives, ideas, and information on topics I wasn’t previously aware of. As an adult, these shows often serve as a starting point or introduction to subjects that I then research further on my own. It’s funny how we hold these comedians and writers to a higher bar than news stations.
wccrawford@lemmy.world 2 months ago
Yeah. I recognize the bias and the need for clicks/eyeballs, and their motivations, and it applies to all of them. I generally expect someone telling me something to not be deceiving me, and I’m so often disappointed.