I'm old school when it comes to book talk. I'm a book blogger and still follow other book bloggers. We still manage to chat and discover new books and authors all the time. The numbers game drives me crazy. I refuse to talk about how many books I read now in a year. I rather hear or read more about people's experience with stories. The reader's voice is so important in many ways.
Also, contrary to what he says in the video, 98% of book tok was smut and other low brow books. It wasn't yes there was this but there was also that, it was certainly the overwhelming majority.
@@alb0zfinestthere were a lot of creators that weren’t and the algorithm fed you what you engaged with. To be fair a lot is romance (which honestly can personally care less about since it still got people reading) but it is all about finding your niche
@alb0zfinest Seems like you were browsing the app and looking at those videos for some reason then. I'm going to assume it's to feel superior to teenagers and casual hobbyists.
@@MorningStarSunsoar This is not true. I engaged with posts about books in general or medieval history, but I was constantly bombarded by trashy smut or YA fantasy because it was adjacent to the two aforementioned topics so the algorithm "thought," it'd be similar.
Way too many people are letting their dislike of TikTok influence their bad faith arguments here. I dont use TikTok but it has clearly been a factor in renewing interest in reading. Taking it out of the equation certainly won’t be a positive for the space but it’ll make dismissive, smarmy jerks feel good about themselves so that seems to be the motivation here.
I was reading before booktok and I’ll be reading after it. The amount of shallow reviews and pushing books like the fourth wing has jaded me from a lot of content creators anyway.
Lots of people have rediscovered and fallen back in love with reading because of the accessibility of BookTok and books like Fourth Wing, which builds a greater capacity for reading and branching out into other genres and experiences! While reading has always been cool, BookTok has made it fun and cool for avid readers and undecided readers alike again, which is amazing and a really important tool for not only promoting literacy and unique reading journeys, but also creating a more open, engaging, and less closed off community of readers and people! Coming from a public librarian who has seen a massive uptick in library usage and people interested in reading because of these wonderful micro communities on BookTok, and whose self and significant other began reading again because of the reach and scope of the platform! 😊
Respectfully, I disagree. I found Booktok to just be a whole lot of book sales people. You can't get away from the sales pitches. I don't believe that many even read the books that they were promoting and it was also very cliquey. It just seemed like people trying to hustle for something.
i dont think the tiktok ban has anything to do with the chinese government. i think it has everything to do with tiktok selling user data (like every other social media), but US techbros not receiving the profit because its not US owned.
@@andi-pj3ro it's a combination of US tech companies being sick of getting their asses kicked, and the US government freaking out that they don't have control over what Americans see on a daily basis.
You make a great point about TikTok not being connected to the US gov't. Although I've never been on TikTok and I don't use any social media besides UA-cam and Goodreads, I feel like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook will serve as gov't propaganda for the next several years. Since I know getting people to abandon social media en masse isn't realistic (although I wish it were), at least having alternatives to US-backed platforms would be preferable.
Personally, I've never been on BookTok because I’ve struggled to find a community that reads books I’m interested in (non-fiction, historical fiction, political books, etc.). So, TikTok getting banned doesn’t bother me much. What bothers me the most is that the government seems to be picking winners and losers when it comes to the free market. I’m sure Musk and Zuckerberg are loving this decision. By the way I just found this channel and I'm loving the content!
There are plenty of people talking about books all over the internet and likely locally in your area, wherever you may be. Influencers losing a possible monetization avenue will have zero effect on the majority of readers. Publishers will still find people they can bankroll for good press and avenues to reach potential readers.
@@cbenson513 I think you're grossly underestimating the positive impact Tiktok has had on maintaining a healthy market for authors and publishers at all levels.
Both of my (teen and young 20s) kids became more interested in reading through TikTok, and they read a lot of classics and lit fic, and they're hearing about these books on TikTok. I'm not complaining and TikTok. They grew up with me reading to them, and they've always seen me read, so they were always reading some, but hearing about books on TikTok has definitely made them more avid readers.
TikTok gets such a bad rep with books but it’s all in what you interact with. Between how heavily I read and books that my bf got pushed on TikTok (because of me sharing videos lol) it got him reading too where he wouldn’t have otherwise. I think it’s great that it got so many people reading
@@MorningStarSunsoar I feel like TikTok has also allowed some self-published authors to promote their books and connect with potential readers (including beta readers) without having to spend extra money to hire people to do it. Paying for editing and artwork is already a lot for someone who has just started writing.
I agree with your points almost universally, and hate to play the pedant, but the legislation doesn't ban TikTok. It requires ByteDance, a Chinese-backed, and partially state-investment-fund-owned, company to divest financially from the TikTok business due to national security concerns. TikTok can continue to operate without ByteDance, but ByteDance has said that if forced to divest, it will take its algorithm with it. I'm not on TikTok, so have no skin in the game data-wise, and I agree with nothing the majority of the Supreme Court thinks or believes, but I think it's important to be clear that the government isn't trying to ban a technology. They are trying to ban the Chinese government or government-backed interests from having access to 100+ million Americans' data.
THIS! And if they refuse to divest, I think it is something us as Americans should think about. I also think Tiktok has brought some good, but I tend to see more the negatives it has brought, and as such, I would not care if banned. Ideally, I would prefer it just being cleansed of some content.
This is one of the most peasant-ass takes I've ever seen. How is it acceptable for the government to force a company to give up its product for no other reason than jealousy? No allegations of monopoly behavior have been levied against TiKTok. Their algorithm is ni more harmful than other platform, nor is their data harvesting any more egregious, nor is hate speech/misinformation worse on TikTok than any other platform. And as for the China part, what is the actual fear? What is the CCP, an entity with no legal jurisdiction in your country, supposedly going to do to you? Have any of these politicians answered that question? This demand is solely based on USgov being jealous that there is a means of communication they don't control. Which also means they can't order it to take down evidence of all the Israeli warcrimes they're funding. The goal isn't to "protect Americans' privacy from from the CCP" the goal is to forcefully transfer control of the app and it's algorithm to someone the USgov can control.
@@RunePonyRamblings Jealousy, really? It is perfectly reasonable to be against this legislation for many different reasons (some of them of course mentioned in the video), but you should at least be honest and understand the other side. No matter how idiotic the move is in your opinion, reducing it to 'and act of jealousy' just does not meaningfully contribute to the discussion.
@peterhoelder2652 perhaps "jealousy" is not the precise term, perhaps "envy"? "covetousness"? Regardless, you know what I mean. All the other tech giants are under US jurisdiction, perform surveillance for US law enforcement, collect data from everyone in the world for the benefit of US-based corporations. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. literally do everything TikTok is being condemned for. And after the recent election, they're basically part of the ruling party in all but name. So literally the same as TikTok. The whole thing is a complete sham. If they truly cared about Americans's online privacy, they'd pass actual digital privacy protections (real ones, not disguised porn-bans). If they truly cared about "propaganda" they'd pass laws mandating algorithm transparency, independent fact checking, funding disclosures, etc. But they're not doing any of that, they're demanding that the ONE major tech platform not owned by a US corporation... be given to a US corporation. This isn't about protecting Americans, it's about the US government not tolerating something they don't control.
I've never used TikTok (the app didn't appeal to me), and I know there are some issues with social media bookish spaces, like promoting some problematic themes/tropes or focusing too much on numbers (huge book collections, expensive hauls, finishing as many books as possible, etc.). I also wish I could find more channels that focus on some genres I read a lot, like pre-WWI historical fiction. But one of the benefits of these online spaces that is often ignored is how it makes things democratic and diverse. It has given a voice to readers who went unheard before; it has brought new genres and authors to the forefront. I don't think we need TikTok to do that when we have other apps, like Instagram and UA-cam, but I definitely see that there will be an impact on the space as a whole.
How is it that elitists who dismiss BookTok as shoddily made trash struggle to consider nuance when addressing the dismantling of an entire reading community? Are these people, who claim to appreciate sophisticated literature, only capable of seeing complex issues in the books they read, while defaulting to black-and-white thinking in real world contexts? I genuinely can't roll my eyes enough at the vanity of some* of these comments.
Just for perspective, I'm an avid reader and occasional author. I read almost all fiction, and I read a ton. I read a pretty good mix of new things and old things. I have no problem learning about new books. I have never used Tik Tok. I'm not saying it doesn't have value, but the reading community has been doing fine for centuries. We'll adapt. We always do.
@@handwavepress3389 10 years ago people said indie bookstores were done. That traditional publishing was done. That making a living as a writer was done. What changed? Go into bookstores and see which social media they have a special display for. It's not UA-cam or Instagram. It's Tiktok. Ask publishers which platform is most important for their authors to be on. They'll tell you it's Tiktok. You said yourself, you've never used Tiktok, so it's hard for you to know just how powerful it's been for writers, bookstores, publishers and reviewers.
@@Lifeonbooks I have worked for publishers (prior to TikTok's existence) and in bookstores (after TikTok). I am not on TikTok personally (too old, lol), but I can confirm that TikTok has been a real boon to the book industry. I don't care if it promotes "sub-optimal" books (let's call them). TikTok keeps bookstores' doors open and publishers' lists profitable. And by doing so, those entities continue to exist and can turn out the quality books we discerning book people (book snobs?) know & love--along with the "blockbuster" books that pay the bills. I am not advocating for or against the U.S. government's position on TikTok--that's complicated. But I do think your argument holds water. The loss of TikTok will be a loss to the book business and thus a loss to the book community as a whole. And, for that reason, I will be sad to see TikTok go (if it comes to that).
I think TikTok is the worst social media platforms ever launched, regardless of whether it's popular or not. I've seen how it has turned young people into zombies and how its constant stream of shorts has made it harder for people (especially kids and youngsters) to watch an entire motion picture, read a whole book, or to focus on anything longer than 60 seconds in general. I watched a group of people waiting in line in the coolest theme park in the world. They were oblivious of their surroundings and each other. They even scrolled through short videos throughout the entire amazing dark ride. It's so sad... I never cared for TikTok, and I never will. There is nothing TikTok can offer me that UA-cam or Instagram can't...
In India they banned TikTok in 2020 and trust me it has made no difference at all. There was a a bit of hue and cry at the beginning but true to ephemeral nature of social media, people just forgot about it. They just moved over to Instagram, Facebook and UA-cam and now it is like TikTok never existed. I understand the fears of losing audience you built but they will just find you on other platforms. TikTok is not a hill worth dying on.
@@ashradiohead1 "Its totally fine that a government dictated the information that citizens have access to and funneled control into an even smaller monopoly". This isn't about "losing my audience." I have as big of an audience on IG, and both my audience on IG and YT will grow if Tiktok goes away.
I agree with you, we need more spaces to communicate about books, not fewer. A couple of points : Let’s not police other people’s reading preferences! I don’t care what y’all read as long as reading is part of your life! ‘Literary’ fiction is not nor has been an easy market. ‘Blood Meridian’ only sold 1,883 copies the year it was released and none of McCarthy’s first five novels sold over 5K. John Williams ‘Stoner’ sold 2000 copies in its initial publication. Oprah resurrected McCarthy’s career by featuring ‘All the Pretty Horses’ in her book club which, btw, had similar accusations that she was ruining the market for ‘serious’ books. ‘Horses’ went from decent sales to becoming a best seller and his back catalog was reissued. Williams was continually out of print. There was a modest reprint of ‘Stoner’ in 1972, but it had been all but forgotten except for Anna Galvada’s French translation in 2011 and her interviews extolling the novel's virtues. Sales jumped, more translations were printed and, you guessed it, Williams’ back catalog was re-issued. Which circles me back to; we need more platforms, not fewer!
We've been reading for decades before tiktok and will continue to do so, same if they banned facebook or instagram. The thing is people won't be able to show off what they read on social media or promote themselves as "literature influencers" and if that was the motivation for reading in the first place then it's time to rethink why you read.
@@NTNG13 this misses the point. Reading is on the decline, and a few years ago small bookstores and publishers looked to be on their way out. Tiktok has been instrumental in keeping the industry alive, and helping to connect readers with books, and each other.
@@Lifeonbooks If reading is on the decline then another time consuming and attention lowering social media app is not gonna help get it back on track. Also I'm not sure an industry that keeps pushing the same tired tropes of Greek Myths but LGBT, dystopian YA with a love triangle or Instapoetry is worth keeping alive. I'd prefer more quality even if the quantity is lower.
@@NTNG13 the benefits of having Tiktok as a tool for marketing authors and publishers outweighs the potential positive impact removing a single app might have on people's overall distraction levels. And as I mentioned in the video, there's far more to the book space on Tiktok than what you're claiming.
@@Lifeonbooks Why is marketing being taken into account if we're talking about reading and literature quality? Sounds like it's only a downside from an economic perspective for these publishing companies and wannabe authors. The usual method to getting popular is writing something worth reading and even then some authors used to get famous posthumously. You see it as a lack of promotion for authors but getting rid of it is also a quality filter.
@@NTNG13 A lot of good books get thrown out the window because the publishing industry decides it will not sell based on current trends, or they are afraid to invest in a new author. Can we please stop gatekeeping literature? Tik tok was a great platform for new authors or authors of niche literature to connect with potential readers.
When people say booktok is bad for the reading community, they might not be aware of the fact that "shallow" (whatever that means) books promoted on TikTok that sell A LOT can allow the publisher the money to take a chance on books that would be commercially riskier (like weird conceptual post modern obscure authors). Reading spaces are important, whatever shape or form they take.
Publishers are not into taking risky moves, that's why the shelves are filled with clones of the same popular trope at the moment. It's wrong to think the big capitalistic company is gonna suddenly start acting like an Indie Press. They are gonna see huge profit from the new romantasy and then proceed to pump 10 other clones into stores. If you keep buying shallow books the message you're sending with your money is that you want more of the same and in the end it will hide better authors and books.
Yes, this is indeed true. I don't go on TikTok, but I DO know that BookTok pushes people through the doors at brick and mortar bookstores--and then those bookstores are there to exist and thrive for all of us.
Tiktok a friend to reading qualifies as one of the dumbest takes on YT. And given that YT is a veritable dumpster fire of hot takes with clickbait titles like this one, that's saying something.
Booktok is the worst thing that happened to the reading community. It is completely unorganized, short-lived, and impossible to browse, filled with "Look at these books I bought and only know the blurb" or "These were my favorite books 2024 but I'm not telling you why" reels devoid of any message, and the comment section is the least appropriate place to have a working discussion about anything you've read or want to read. The EXACT opposite of what I expect from a platform as a reader who likes to browse organized bookshelves and catalogues and connect with other readers. I expect a massive influx of Instagram Reels but I'd very much prefer the return of the reading community to more organized, discussion-focused platforms. The closest we have today are probably UA-cam, Goodreads, and Reddit, but only one of them is good for content creation. I can't agree with the "the more platforms the better" sentiment if the quality of the most used platform is trash and not suitable for what you want to use it for.
@@FlashheadX if that's your experience on the app, that's a result of your own behaviors as a user. The algorithm serves you what you engage with most.
@@Lifeonbooks Algo's led them to your YT channel, which you'd likely not consider equivalent to what they've been getting with TikTok. Something to consider.
Interesting, so UA-cam suggested this video to me. I'm not a TikTok user. So when hearing about the ban, it didn't bother me at all. And I hear others say why it's a bad idea, but none of them convince me. Your video just did. You made it crystal clear to understand why it's a bad idea. Also, I just want to remind people to support your local library. They're going to need as many people as possible to help them out. Anyways great Video.
I don’t use TikTok but I do follow a TON of booktubers here on utube. I read a lot and my TBR has grown so much. There are so many amazing channels here on utube that offer great reviews and recommendations.
I think you’re missing the point. Readings by was on the decline. Having more readers engaging with each other in a variety of spaces is good for the past time/hobby and that includes social media spaces. You can’t say how many people started reading because they found the TikTok community engaging. Removing any social media spaces from the book ecosystem will certainly not solve anything; it’s just bias against TT and cutting off your nose to spite your face
I am of two minds on tiktok itself but I don't think it will hurt tge book reading community. Let's be honest - a video about a person talking to us about books is not the same as us discussing books. Tiktok and youtube encourage a one to many talk. We need a many to many discussions, and that is not something any set of videos truly encourages.
@@bookwormsofconcord I didn't "conveniently leave it out," its irrelevant because the video is about the consequences of a TikTok ban, not whether or not I think the ban will go through.
I liked TikTok and making booktok videos. It was easy to make short format videos and interact with others with both similar and different interests. More so than any other platform. It gets a bad rep but the algorithm feeds you what you interact with. It got me to read books I wouldn’t have otherwise. Some good, others horrendous to be fair but you’ll get that on any platform or in real life
Chinese officials are evaluating a potential option that involves Elon Musk acquiring the US operations of TikTok if the company fails to fend off a ban on the short-video app.
This is interesting! I was a reluctant TikTok consumer and found booktok so great for engaging in the reading community. I found your podcast on TikTok and transition to UA-cam and instagram because they are my preferred way to consume social media. TT algorithm is much easier (understandably so) find like minded content, which for me was a positive experience!
The only booktok trend i think should die/is a problem is the one where a (small) group of book influencers openly brag about not actually reading books or get mad about story existing and it not just being sex and dialogue. Those people are fine to exist if thats genuinely how they read, but them being top "influencers" and making that a trend is an issue. Everything else im angry that itll go away.
I’m pretty sure that’s just rage bait tbh. I hope the people who say that aren’t actually like that because why waste the money on books that you aren’t actually going to read
@MorningStarSunsoar See, i thought that too when I heard it referenced, but when I saw the video and then their response to the reactions to it I stopped thinking it. You would have to be a MASTER at engagement baiting to say some of the stuff they said without accidentally tipping your hand that you're baiting.
Honestly, UA-cam recommendations for books have always been better. Now if you are talking about webtoons, manhwa, etc. TikTok has better recommendations.
Um, no. Every social media platform on earth could be wiped out and nobody's access to or enjoyment of books would be harmed one iota. You don't need Tik Tok's permission to read or enjoy books. Quit thinking nothing is real without clicks or a thumbs-up feature, jesus. Also, the question before the SCOTUS is whether the Tik Tok ban violates the First Amendment. You don't have to have some vast and intricate knowledge of internet technology to decide that.
@@Charliehund100the internet is literally how most people find out about new books. And yes, you would absolutely need to understand how a technology works to know if limiting access to that technology violates rights.
So much weight placed on TikTok that if the platform goes away, books and book communities are doomed. If TikTok dies, books and reading dies. Plus it’s all been about monetization abilities than actually loving books all along. 🤦♂️
I used to be on Tik Tok, but got rid of it last year. Most of the book recs I received were from IG and word of mouth- that being said, I think it will be a breath of fresh air to continue to do face to face book clubs, if possible, BookTube and other ways outside of Tik Tok. Again- it's sad that there will be a ban, but readers aren't going anywhere.
No tiktok is still everywhere else it's not gonna effect reading at all 😅 not everyone reads to get the attention of other people or the prove something , anyway glad im in a european country and i dont even use tiktok and probably never will but atleast i have the option. Thought america was the land of the free? Doesn't really seem like it if your media is being censored 😮
Just on the data being given to the Chinese government point. Tiktok is owned by ByteDance, which is involved with the CCP. If the CCP wanted to know what you had for breakfast last Tuesday, tiktok is obligated under Chinese law to make their best efforts to tell them. Not even providing my opinion on this here, but you asked for the information in the video. All of this is public record if you want to look into it more.
@@overtone55 That's based on a lot of assumptions, also, they have complied with hosting US user data (managed by Oracle) in the US If the CCCP wants to know what I had for breakfast, it was 3 eggs scrambled with a bit of cheddar cheese.
"the only social media platform not tied to the US Governemnt" sums up the ban quite succinctly. As for the impact on readers, you make some great points about Tik Tok being the gateway into reading for so many people. Personally, I don't really care for the platform, but I do admire how easy it is for creators to gain followers and also monetize as a way to cover the costs for creating content. I live outside the US, so maybe it's time for me to start using it as I can't seem to get much traction on UA-cam lol. Great video!
Out of sheer curiosity, what kind of traction would you want in order to think UA-cam more worth your time? If it's any consolation, I've found that channels tend to grow at a rate proportional to their size (as you get bigger, you'll start to accrue subscribers more quickly). As someone who took 7.5 years to gain his first 1,000 subscribers, I'm always curious where other people are on this issue.
@@NicholasOfAutrecourt I'd like my videos to be shown to readers rather than non-readers. When I look into 'reach' for my videos I can see that other videos suggesting my videos are completely unrelated, despite clear titles and meta data. The reason I would like this is to get some discussion going on the books and topics I discuss and become a part of reading community with similar reading interests as me. So my metrics for 'traction' would be relevant comments & commenters (I get lots of hate comments because I occasionally talk about LGBTQ books and issues, although I've taken those videos down and just don't go there on YT anymore), higher view counts over time, and a higher rate of subscribers. I have experimented with content sprints and gotten growth spurts when I've published 3 - 4 videos in a week, but for me that's not sustainable -- not a complaint, just a time constraint with work and life. TLDR - traction for me is a mix of 'growth' and engagement.
@@pleasereadyourbook It's a shame that you've let other people's comments curb what you talk about, but also understandable. Utterly bizarre how the algorithm is showing it to people who aren't even readers and who have completely divergent interests. So many things about the algorithm seem sophisticated and yet ... still this? I've never even thought about poking around to see which videos are suggesting my videos. I appreciate your taking the time to respond!
Booktok helped Colleen Hoover get a net worth of 10 million. That’s enough to shut it down. I kid, I kid, but booktok has a tendency to promote authors with problematic works. Middle schoolers shouldn’t be reading that.
I won’t miss it as I don’t use it, however, I do not agree with such a ban. Seems a clear overreach of the freedom to speech, and usage. Having said that, this would not be the first ban of a platform in a country. And I think any ban, anywhere, is bad and it’s only the beginning.
If tiktok could turn nonserious readers to serious ones, why wouldn't the opposite be true? Claws of capitalism can hook anyone. Why does there need to he more readers? What purpose does it serve? Just the way people discuss and gather around TV, they could do so with books, which is neither good or bad. But if its not bad why would it be good? Its almost as if the series readers will find a way to satisfy their hunger for books regardless of the existence of tiktok, same for the nonserious.
@@Kenji.95 it's hard to take this question seriously if you actually enjoy complex or philosophical writing. I've never heard of anyone going from reading things like Dostoev and Proust to Fourth Wing and Colleen Hoover, and for good reason: it's not a matter of capitalism, but more brain function. Once you've been exposed to more complex works, less complex works won't have the required complexity to stimulate you, hence why people who got into reading via more popular works often begin to research into branch out.
@Lifeonbooks see that's all good in well in theory. Which is a fine enough response since mine was based in the same matter, theory, which was a response to your theory. Without making it too complicated, I could only say, yes that sounds more plausible than the opposite, but what if this hypothetical person just doesn't care to read [insert highbrow author here] and just enjoys rollicking pulp fiction? Either way these hypotheticals lead to nothing substantial. Why? Because it's based on a somewhat made up premise of tiktok somehow being a gateway for readers to discover Gravity's Rainbow, which isn't out of the realms of possibility, sure. But that doesn't mean with the demand for highbrow books won't be supplied via other means, ie, tiktok is moreso a ramp for traffic not a hodgepodge of intellectual creativity. Sorry for long response. I much rather keep things short and simple and not digress if I can help. I will say I did like points made on second half of video, though, I would say it speaks more on human rights rather than effects on reading communities.
Never had TikTok nor do I plan on having it. I follow a variety of booktubers on UA-cam and Instagram, though the format itself has gotten a bit stale at times, especially the bookhaul videos, which are still my favorite videos, but still. People like Brian Lee Durfee, you and other booktubers who diversify are the reason I keep coming back to booktube content. Although I don’t feel the need to begin reading romantasy and though I don’t watch many booktubers who talk about romantasy and romance, I have to say that it’s still, by far, the most dominant genre when it comes to books on prominent display in bookstores. Recently other genres have begun to take back some of the spotlight, but I’d like to see more genres enticing men and especially young men to read.
Why is it bad for the apps to be run by people who support Trump? Tiktok is a Chinese app, and that's a fact. We need to be America first. Your only argument here is that Tiktok is a big part of your income. That is not about readers. I agree that it can be good, but many bad things can be good at times, like sugar. The ban is about America first. That is good. Or do you just not like Trump?
Never had TikTok nor do I plan on having it because of its ties to the Chinese government. I’d rather have a deep US state run platform than a Chinese one. I follow a variety of booktubers on UA-cam and Instagram, though the format itself has gotten a bit stale at times, especially the bookhaul videos, which are still my favorite videos, but still. People like Brian Lee Durfee, you and other booktubers who diversify are the reason I keep coming back to booktube content. Although I don’t feel the need to begin reading romantasy and though I don’t watch many booktubers who talk about romantasy and romance, I have to say that it’s still, by far, the most dominant genre when it comes to books on prominent display in bookstores. Recently other genres have begun to take back some of the spotlight, but I’d like to see more genres enticing men and especially young men to read.
It’s funny though I didn’t hear anyone complaining about freedom of speech when twitter blocked President Trump from posting. Now that the political tides are turning now we have to yell freedom of speech😂😂. I’ve never had a TikTok probably won’t ever get one, but if you fell like you need an echo chamber by all means.
If TikTok goes away, people won't spend less time on social media- they will move their online time to instagram and youtube. Instagram and UA-cam lit pages will surge from actual responsive subscribers.
To be fair, even if it does shut down, I'm sure a greedy company has seen the potential profit of such an app and a US version will pop up. At least, your data will be sold from a US company ♥. Tik Tok is, after all, the child of Musically.
And I also think a lot of people who use Titktok will probably realise how addicted they are to it when it suddenly goes away. (It would be the same for me if they banned Tumblr.)
I'm old school when it comes to book talk. I'm a book blogger and still follow other book bloggers. We still manage to chat and discover new books and authors all the time. The numbers game drives
me crazy. I refuse to talk about how many books I read now in a year. I rather hear or read more about people's experience with stories. The reader's voice is so important in many ways.
If you depend on social media to read, you’re doomed.
🎯🎯🎯🎯🎯
Also, contrary to what he says in the video, 98% of book tok was smut and other low brow books. It wasn't yes there was this but there was also that, it was certainly the overwhelming majority.
@@alb0zfinestthere were a lot of creators that weren’t and the algorithm fed you what you engaged with. To be fair a lot is romance (which honestly can personally care less about since it still got people reading) but it is all about finding your niche
@alb0zfinest Seems like you were browsing the app and looking at those videos for some reason then. I'm going to assume it's to feel superior to teenagers and casual hobbyists.
@@MorningStarSunsoar This is not true. I engaged with posts about books in general or medieval history, but I was constantly bombarded by trashy smut or YA fantasy because it was adjacent to the two aforementioned topics so the algorithm "thought," it'd be similar.
Way too many people are letting their dislike of TikTok influence their bad faith arguments here. I dont use TikTok but it has clearly been a factor in renewing interest in reading. Taking it out of the equation certainly won’t be a positive for the space but it’ll make dismissive, smarmy jerks feel good about themselves so that seems to be the motivation here.
I was reading before booktok and I’ll be reading after it. The amount of shallow reviews and pushing books like the fourth wing has jaded me from a lot of content creators anyway.
Lots of people have rediscovered and fallen back in love with reading because of the accessibility of BookTok and books like Fourth Wing, which builds a greater capacity for reading and branching out into other genres and experiences! While reading has always been cool, BookTok has made it fun and cool for avid readers and undecided readers alike again, which is amazing and a really important tool for not only promoting literacy and unique reading journeys, but also creating a more open, engaging, and less closed off community of readers and people!
Coming from a public librarian who has seen a massive uptick in library usage and people interested in reading because of these wonderful micro communities on BookTok, and whose self and significant other began reading again because of the reach and scope of the platform! 😊
Respectfully, I disagree. I found Booktok to just be a whole lot of book sales people. You can't get away from the sales pitches. I don't believe that many even read the books that they were promoting and it was also very cliquey. It just seemed like people trying to hustle for something.
influencers more interested in maximizing their monitization vs maximizing their takes on the subject matter.
i dont think the tiktok ban has anything to do with the chinese government. i think it has everything to do with tiktok selling user data (like every other social media), but US techbros not receiving the profit because its not US owned.
@@andi-pj3ro it's a combination of US tech companies being sick of getting their asses kicked, and the US government freaking out that they don't have control over what Americans see on a daily basis.
No its because of Zionism.
@@Lifeonbooks Yes I fully I agree!
You make a great point about TikTok not being connected to the US gov't. Although I've never been on TikTok and I don't use any social media besides UA-cam and Goodreads, I feel like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook will serve as gov't propaganda for the next several years. Since I know getting people to abandon social media en masse isn't realistic (although I wish it were), at least having alternatives to US-backed platforms would be preferable.
Personally, I've never been on BookTok because I’ve struggled to find a community that reads books I’m interested in (non-fiction, historical fiction, political books, etc.). So, TikTok getting banned doesn’t bother me much. What bothers me the most is that the government seems to be picking winners and losers when it comes to the free market. I’m sure Musk and Zuckerberg are loving this decision.
By the way I just found this channel and I'm loving the content!
There are plenty of people talking about books all over the internet and likely locally in your area, wherever you may be. Influencers losing a possible monetization avenue will have zero effect on the majority of readers. Publishers will still find people they can bankroll for good press and avenues to reach potential readers.
@@cbenson513 I think you're grossly underestimating the positive impact Tiktok has had on maintaining a healthy market for authors and publishers at all levels.
Both of my (teen and young 20s) kids became more interested in reading through TikTok, and they read a lot of classics and lit fic, and they're hearing about these books on TikTok. I'm not complaining and TikTok. They grew up with me reading to them, and they've always seen me read, so they were always reading some, but hearing about books on TikTok has definitely made them more avid readers.
TikTok gets such a bad rep with books but it’s all in what you interact with. Between how heavily I read and books that my bf got pushed on TikTok (because of me sharing videos lol) it got him reading too where he wouldn’t have otherwise. I think it’s great that it got so many people reading
@@MorningStarSunsoar I feel like TikTok has also allowed some self-published authors to promote their books and connect with potential readers (including beta readers) without having to spend extra money to hire people to do it. Paying for editing and artwork is already a lot for someone who has just started writing.
@@dianadrozd175 I agree with that too, it made it a lot less intimidating and easier to do
I agree with your points almost universally, and hate to play the pedant, but the legislation doesn't ban TikTok. It requires ByteDance, a Chinese-backed, and partially state-investment-fund-owned, company to divest financially from the TikTok business due to national security concerns. TikTok can continue to operate without ByteDance, but ByteDance has said that if forced to divest, it will take its algorithm with it. I'm not on TikTok, so have no skin in the game data-wise, and I agree with nothing the majority of the Supreme Court thinks or believes, but I think it's important to be clear that the government isn't trying to ban a technology. They are trying to ban the Chinese government or government-backed interests from having access to 100+ million Americans' data.
THIS! And if they refuse to divest, I think it is something us as Americans should think about. I also think Tiktok has brought some good, but I tend to see more the negatives it has brought, and as such, I would not care if banned. Ideally, I would prefer it just being cleansed of some content.
This is one of the most peasant-ass takes I've ever seen.
How is it acceptable for the government to force a company to give up its product for no other reason than jealousy?
No allegations of monopoly behavior have been levied against TiKTok. Their algorithm is ni more harmful than other platform, nor is their data harvesting any more egregious, nor is hate speech/misinformation worse on TikTok than any other platform. And as for the China part, what is the actual fear? What is the CCP, an entity with no legal jurisdiction in your country, supposedly going to do to you? Have any of these politicians answered that question?
This demand is solely based on USgov being jealous that there is a means of communication they don't control. Which also means they can't order it to take down evidence of all the Israeli warcrimes they're funding.
The goal isn't to "protect Americans' privacy from from the CCP" the goal is to forcefully transfer control of the app and it's algorithm to someone the USgov can control.
@@RunePonyRamblings Jealousy, really? It is perfectly reasonable to be against this legislation for many different reasons (some of them of course mentioned in the video), but you should at least be honest and understand the other side. No matter how idiotic the move is in your opinion, reducing it to 'and act of jealousy' just does not meaningfully contribute to the discussion.
@peterhoelder2652 perhaps "jealousy" is not the precise term, perhaps "envy"? "covetousness"?
Regardless, you know what I mean. All the other tech giants are under US jurisdiction, perform surveillance for US law enforcement, collect data from everyone in the world for the benefit of US-based corporations. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc. literally do everything TikTok is being condemned for. And after the recent election, they're basically part of the ruling party in all but name. So literally the same as TikTok.
The whole thing is a complete sham. If they truly cared about Americans's online privacy, they'd pass actual digital privacy protections (real ones, not disguised porn-bans). If they truly cared about "propaganda" they'd pass laws mandating algorithm transparency, independent fact checking, funding disclosures, etc.
But they're not doing any of that, they're demanding that the ONE major tech platform not owned by a US corporation... be given to a US corporation. This isn't about protecting Americans, it's about the US government not tolerating something they don't control.
@@LeonC0704 a profitable business not wanting to be forced to sell their business due to a competitor's lobbying is not suspicious.
This video is a perfect reminder that growth is about continuously improving, not about reaching some final destination.
I've never used TikTok (the app didn't appeal to me), and I know there are some issues with social media bookish spaces, like promoting some problematic themes/tropes or focusing too much on numbers (huge book collections, expensive hauls, finishing as many books as possible, etc.). I also wish I could find more channels that focus on some genres I read a lot, like pre-WWI historical fiction. But one of the benefits of these online spaces that is often ignored is how it makes things democratic and diverse. It has given a voice to readers who went unheard before; it has brought new genres and authors to the forefront. I don't think we need TikTok to do that when we have other apps, like Instagram and UA-cam, but I definitely see that there will be an impact on the space as a whole.
How is it that elitists who dismiss BookTok as shoddily made trash struggle to consider nuance when addressing the dismantling of an entire reading community? Are these people, who claim to appreciate sophisticated literature, only capable of seeing complex issues in the books they read, while defaulting to black-and-white thinking in real world contexts? I genuinely can't roll my eyes enough at the vanity of some* of these comments.
@@manguyboymale5716 bingo
Nailed it!
Right for all the posturing they are doing, they have yet to riddle me how the industry would've bounced back without that app.
Rationalize your stupidity just as hard as you like, it won't make it go away.
You phrased this extremely well
Just for perspective, I'm an avid reader and occasional author. I read almost all fiction, and I read a ton. I read a pretty good mix of new things and old things. I have no problem learning about new books. I have never used Tik Tok. I'm not saying it doesn't have value, but the reading community has been doing fine for centuries. We'll adapt. We always do.
@@handwavepress3389 10 years ago people said indie bookstores were done. That traditional publishing was done. That making a living as a writer was done. What changed?
Go into bookstores and see which social media they have a special display for. It's not UA-cam or Instagram. It's Tiktok.
Ask publishers which platform is most important for their authors to be on. They'll tell you it's Tiktok.
You said yourself, you've never used Tiktok, so it's hard for you to know just how powerful it's been for writers, bookstores, publishers and reviewers.
@@Lifeonbooks I have worked for publishers (prior to TikTok's existence) and in bookstores (after TikTok). I am not on TikTok personally (too old, lol), but I can confirm that TikTok has been a real boon to the book industry. I don't care if it promotes "sub-optimal" books (let's call them). TikTok keeps bookstores' doors open and publishers' lists profitable. And by doing so, those entities continue to exist and can turn out the quality books we discerning book people (book snobs?) know & love--along with the "blockbuster" books that pay the bills.
I am not advocating for or against the U.S. government's position on TikTok--that's complicated. But I do think your argument holds water. The loss of TikTok will be a loss to the book business and thus a loss to the book community as a whole. And, for that reason, I will be sad to see TikTok go (if it comes to that).
I think TikTok is the worst social media platforms ever launched, regardless of whether it's popular or not. I've seen how it has turned young people into zombies and how its constant stream of shorts has made it harder for people (especially kids and youngsters) to watch an entire motion picture, read a whole book, or to focus on anything longer than 60 seconds in general. I watched a group of people waiting in line in the coolest theme park in the world. They were oblivious of their surroundings and each other. They even scrolled through short videos throughout the entire amazing dark ride. It's so sad... I never cared for TikTok, and I never will. There is nothing TikTok can offer me that UA-cam or Instagram can't...
@@AudioEpics people being glued to their phones has nothing to do with Tiktok, and isn't relevant to what this video is about.
I’m going to miss Booktok. I was a heavy reader when I was younger, fell out of it and Booktok got me reading again. I liked the community around it
In India they banned TikTok in 2020 and trust me it has made no difference at all. There was a a bit of hue and cry at the beginning but true to ephemeral nature of social media, people just forgot about it. They just moved over to Instagram, Facebook and UA-cam and now it is like TikTok never existed. I understand the fears of losing audience you built but they will just find you on other platforms. TikTok is not a hill worth dying on.
@@ashradiohead1 "Its totally fine that a government dictated the information that citizens have access to and funneled control into an even smaller monopoly".
This isn't about "losing my audience." I have as big of an audience on IG, and both my audience on IG and YT will grow if Tiktok goes away.
The amount of comments saying ‘it’s gonna be fine cause I don’t use TT’ is crazy. They never been on Booktok and judging the surface.
@@JJJ-dp3oo lots of N=1 or simply regurgitating what the crustaceans running the US government have said about it.
I agree with you, we need more spaces to communicate about books, not fewer. A couple of points :
Let’s not police other people’s reading preferences! I don’t care what y’all read as long as reading is part of your life!
‘Literary’ fiction is not nor has been an easy market. ‘Blood Meridian’ only sold 1,883 copies the year it was released and none of McCarthy’s first five novels sold over 5K. John Williams ‘Stoner’ sold 2000 copies in its initial publication.
Oprah resurrected McCarthy’s career by featuring ‘All the Pretty Horses’ in her book club which, btw, had similar accusations that she was ruining the market for ‘serious’ books. ‘Horses’ went from decent sales to becoming a best seller and his back catalog was reissued.
Williams was continually out of print. There was a modest reprint of ‘Stoner’ in 1972, but it had been all but forgotten except for Anna Galvada’s French translation in 2011 and her interviews extolling the novel's virtues. Sales jumped, more translations were printed and, you guessed it, Williams’ back catalog was re-issued.
Which circles me back to; we need more platforms, not fewer!
I’ve been going to book groups at my library. It’s fun and you make real friends.
We've been reading for decades before tiktok and will continue to do so, same if they banned facebook or instagram. The thing is people won't be able to show off what they read on social media or promote themselves as "literature influencers" and if that was the motivation for reading in the first place then it's time to rethink why you read.
@@NTNG13 this misses the point. Reading is on the decline, and a few years ago small bookstores and publishers looked to be on their way out. Tiktok has been instrumental in keeping the industry alive, and helping to connect readers with books, and each other.
@@Lifeonbooks If reading is on the decline then another time consuming and attention lowering social media app is not gonna help get it back on track. Also I'm not sure an industry that keeps pushing the same tired tropes of Greek Myths but LGBT, dystopian YA with a love triangle or Instapoetry is worth keeping alive. I'd prefer more quality even if the quantity is lower.
@@NTNG13 the benefits of having Tiktok as a tool for marketing authors and publishers outweighs the potential positive impact removing a single app might have on people's overall distraction levels.
And as I mentioned in the video, there's far more to the book space on Tiktok than what you're claiming.
@@Lifeonbooks Why is marketing being taken into account if we're talking about reading and literature quality? Sounds like it's only a downside from an economic perspective for these publishing companies and wannabe authors. The usual method to getting popular is writing something worth reading and even then some authors used to get famous posthumously. You see it as a lack of promotion for authors but getting rid of it is also a quality filter.
@@NTNG13 A lot of good books get thrown out the window because the publishing industry decides it will not sell based on current trends, or they are afraid to invest in a new author. Can we please stop gatekeeping literature?
Tik tok was a great platform for new authors or authors of niche literature to connect with potential readers.
When people say booktok is bad for the reading community, they might not be aware of the fact that "shallow" (whatever that means) books promoted on TikTok that sell A LOT can allow the publisher the money to take a chance on books that would be commercially riskier (like weird conceptual post modern obscure authors).
Reading spaces are important, whatever shape or form they take.
Publishers are not into taking risky moves, that's why the shelves are filled with clones of the same popular trope at the moment. It's wrong to think the big capitalistic company is gonna suddenly start acting like an Indie Press. They are gonna see huge profit from the new romantasy and then proceed to pump 10 other clones into stores. If you keep buying shallow books the message you're sending with your money is that you want more of the same and in the end it will hide better authors and books.
Yes, this is indeed true. I don't go on TikTok, but I DO know that BookTok pushes people through the doors at brick and mortar bookstores--and then those bookstores are there to exist and thrive for all of us.
Tiktok a friend to reading qualifies as one of the dumbest takes on YT. And given that YT is a veritable dumpster fire of hot takes with clickbait titles like this one, that's saying something.
Booktok is the worst thing that happened to the reading community. It is completely unorganized, short-lived, and impossible to browse, filled with "Look at these books I bought and only know the blurb" or "These were my favorite books 2024 but I'm not telling you why" reels devoid of any message, and the comment section is the least appropriate place to have a working discussion about anything you've read or want to read. The EXACT opposite of what I expect from a platform as a reader who likes to browse organized bookshelves and catalogues and connect with other readers. I expect a massive influx of Instagram Reels but I'd very much prefer the return of the reading community to more organized, discussion-focused platforms. The closest we have today are probably UA-cam, Goodreads, and Reddit, but only one of them is good for content creation. I can't agree with the "the more platforms the better" sentiment if the quality of the most used platform is trash and not suitable for what you want to use it for.
@@FlashheadX if that's your experience on the app, that's a result of your own behaviors as a user. The algorithm serves you what you engage with most.
@@Lifeonbooks Algo's led them to your YT channel, which you'd likely not consider equivalent to what they've been getting with TikTok. Something to consider.
Interesting, so UA-cam suggested this video to me. I'm not a TikTok user. So when hearing about the ban, it didn't bother me at all. And I hear others say why it's a bad idea, but none of them convince me. Your video just did. You made it crystal clear to understand why it's a bad idea. Also, I just want to remind people to support your local library. They're going to need as many people as possible to help them out. Anyways great Video.
8:18 Its really, dont use the app, a cell phone, a computer, banking cards, store loyalty programs, everything has your data.
I don’t use TikTok but I do follow a TON of booktubers here on utube. I read a lot and my TBR has grown so much. There are so many amazing channels here on utube that offer great reviews and recommendations.
Ah yes, I remember the Bad Times before TikTok when nobody read at all and there was nobody talking about books anywhere at all.
@@brontsmoth671 gold medal strawman, that.
I think you’re missing the point. Readings by was on the decline. Having more readers engaging with each other in a variety of spaces is good for the past time/hobby and that includes social media spaces. You can’t say how many people started reading because they found the TikTok community engaging. Removing any social media spaces from the book ecosystem will certainly not solve anything; it’s just bias against TT and cutting off your nose to spite your face
We were a small and mighty book blogger community 😂 but you’re right, we didn’t nearly have the reach of BookTokers.
I am of two minds on tiktok itself but I don't think it will hurt tge book reading community. Let's be honest - a video about a person talking to us about books is not the same as us discussing books. Tiktok and youtube encourage a one to many talk. We need a many to many discussions, and that is not something any set of videos truly encourages.
I agree - I don't watch tiktok (I prefer long-form content) but I don't want to see it banned.
Agreed.
You mean like the folks who made it in China where it is banned?!
I tried Tiktok, it's not really for me, so it doesn't bother me.
I know it will impact others though.
@@StormReads that's the thing though, it's going to impact readers whether or not they use the app.
You've conveniently left out the fact that Trump has stated he's grateful for TikTok and doesn't want it to be banned.
@@bookwormsofconcord I didn't "conveniently leave it out," its irrelevant because the video is about the consequences of a TikTok ban, not whether or not I think the ban will go through.
I liked TikTok and making booktok videos. It was easy to make short format videos and interact with others with both similar and different interests. More so than any other platform. It gets a bad rep but the algorithm feeds you what you interact with. It got me to read books I wouldn’t have otherwise. Some good, others horrendous to be fair but you’ll get that on any platform or in real life
Don’t particularly care about using TikTok myself, but the government banning my access to something on the internet pisses me off.
Chinese officials are evaluating a potential option that involves Elon Musk acquiring the US operations of TikTok if the company fails to fend off a ban on the short-video app.
This is interesting! I was a reluctant TikTok consumer and found booktok so great for engaging in the reading community. I found your podcast on TikTok and transition to UA-cam and instagram because they are my preferred way to consume social media. TT algorithm is much easier (understandably so) find like minded content, which for me was a positive experience!
The only booktok trend i think should die/is a problem is the one where a (small) group of book influencers openly brag about not actually reading books or get mad about story existing and it not just being sex and dialogue. Those people are fine to exist if thats genuinely how they read, but them being top "influencers" and making that a trend is an issue.
Everything else im angry that itll go away.
I’m pretty sure that’s just rage bait tbh. I hope the people who say that aren’t actually like that because why waste the money on books that you aren’t actually going to read
@MorningStarSunsoar See, i thought that too when I heard it referenced, but when I saw the video and then their response to the reactions to it I stopped thinking it. You would have to be a MASTER at engagement baiting to say some of the stuff they said without accidentally tipping your hand that you're baiting.
If this ban goes into effect it will likely be temporary. I believe this is political posturing with little substance. That said, I don't use TikTok
Welp I'd already ditched Twitter. Even more time to spend on Mastodon and Blusky.
Honestly, UA-cam recommendations for books have always been better. Now if you are talking about webtoons, manhwa, etc. TikTok has better recommendations.
Commenting so this spreads like wildfire hopefully.
Um, no. Every social media platform on earth could be wiped out and nobody's access to or enjoyment of books would be harmed one iota. You don't need Tik Tok's permission to read or enjoy books. Quit thinking nothing is real without clicks or a thumbs-up feature, jesus.
Also, the question before the SCOTUS is whether the Tik Tok ban violates the First Amendment. You don't have to have some vast and intricate knowledge of internet technology to decide that.
@@Charliehund100the internet is literally how most people find out about new books.
And yes, you would absolutely need to understand how a technology works to know if limiting access to that technology violates rights.
Well said, sir!
So much weight placed on TikTok that if the platform goes away, books and book communities are doomed. If TikTok dies, books and reading dies. Plus it’s all been about monetization abilities than actually loving books all along. 🤦♂️
I don’t use TikTok but I agree with everything you’re saying
I used to be on Tik Tok, but got rid of it last year. Most of the book recs I received were from IG and word of mouth- that being said, I think it will be a breath of fresh air to continue to do face to face book clubs, if possible, BookTube and other ways outside of Tik Tok. Again- it's sad that there will be a ban, but readers aren't going anywhere.
No tiktok is still everywhere else it's not gonna effect reading at all 😅 not everyone reads to get the attention of other people or the prove something , anyway glad im in a european country and i dont even use tiktok and probably never will but atleast i have the option. Thought america was the land of the free? Doesn't really seem like it if your media is being censored 😮
UA-cam is better for readers.
Hopefully cooler heads will prevail. I can't imagine they would actually ban it. But, we'll see, I guess.
Just on the data being given to the Chinese government point. Tiktok is owned by ByteDance, which is involved with the CCP. If the CCP wanted to know what you had for breakfast last Tuesday, tiktok is obligated under Chinese law to make their best efforts to tell them. Not even providing my opinion on this here, but you asked for the information in the video. All of this is public record if you want to look into it more.
@@overtone55 That's based on a lot of assumptions, also, they have complied with hosting US user data (managed by Oracle) in the US
If the CCCP wants to know what I had for breakfast, it was 3 eggs scrambled with a bit of cheddar cheese.
"the only social media platform not tied to the US Governemnt" sums up the ban quite succinctly. As for the impact on readers, you make some great points about Tik Tok being the gateway into reading for so many people. Personally, I don't really care for the platform, but I do admire how easy it is for creators to gain followers and also monetize as a way to cover the costs for creating content. I live outside the US, so maybe it's time for me to start using it as I can't seem to get much traction on UA-cam lol. Great video!
Out of sheer curiosity, what kind of traction would you want in order to think UA-cam more worth your time? If it's any consolation, I've found that channels tend to grow at a rate proportional to their size (as you get bigger, you'll start to accrue subscribers more quickly). As someone who took 7.5 years to gain his first 1,000 subscribers, I'm always curious where other people are on this issue.
@@NicholasOfAutrecourt I'd like my videos to be shown to readers rather than non-readers. When I look into 'reach' for my videos I can see that other videos suggesting my videos are completely unrelated, despite clear titles and meta data. The reason I would like this is to get some discussion going on the books and topics I discuss and become a part of reading community with similar reading interests as me. So my metrics for 'traction' would be relevant comments & commenters (I get lots of hate comments because I occasionally talk about LGBTQ books and issues, although I've taken those videos down and just don't go there on YT anymore), higher view counts over time, and a higher rate of subscribers. I have experimented with content sprints and gotten growth spurts when I've published 3 - 4 videos in a week, but for me that's not sustainable -- not a complaint, just a time constraint with work and life. TLDR - traction for me is a mix of 'growth' and engagement.
@@pleasereadyourbook It's a shame that you've let other people's comments curb what you talk about, but also understandable. Utterly bizarre how the algorithm is showing it to people who aren't even readers and who have completely divergent interests. So many things about the algorithm seem sophisticated and yet ... still this? I've never even thought about poking around to see which videos are suggesting my videos. I appreciate your taking the time to respond!
Booktok helped Colleen Hoover get a net worth of 10 million. That’s enough to shut it down.
I kid, I kid, but booktok has a tendency to promote authors with problematic works. Middle schoolers shouldn’t be reading that.
UA-cam has given rise to stars like Shane Dawson and James Charles. Talentless grifters will always exist regardless of platform.
@ Those two have fallen off. Colleen Hoover still sells like hotcakes along with most of the problematic “romances” booktok likes.
I won’t miss it as I don’t use it, however, I do not agree with such a ban. Seems a clear overreach of the freedom to speech, and usage. Having said that, this would not be the first ban of a platform in a country. And I think any ban, anywhere, is bad and it’s only the beginning.
If tiktok could turn nonserious readers to serious ones, why wouldn't the opposite be true? Claws of capitalism can hook anyone.
Why does there need to he more readers? What purpose does it serve? Just the way people discuss and gather around TV, they could do so with books, which is neither good or bad. But if its not bad why would it be good?
Its almost as if the series readers will find a way to satisfy their hunger for books regardless of the existence of tiktok, same for the nonserious.
@@Kenji.95 it's hard to take this question seriously if you actually enjoy complex or philosophical writing. I've never heard of anyone going from reading things like Dostoev and Proust to Fourth Wing and Colleen Hoover, and for good reason: it's not a matter of capitalism, but more brain function. Once you've been exposed to more complex works, less complex works won't have the required complexity to stimulate you, hence why people who got into reading via more popular works often begin to research into branch out.
@Lifeonbooks see that's all good in well in theory. Which is a fine enough response since mine was based in the same matter, theory, which was a response to your theory. Without making it too complicated, I could only say, yes that sounds more plausible than the opposite, but what if this hypothetical person just doesn't care to read [insert highbrow author here] and just enjoys rollicking pulp fiction? Either way these hypotheticals lead to nothing substantial. Why? Because it's based on a somewhat made up premise of tiktok somehow being a gateway for readers to discover Gravity's Rainbow, which isn't out of the realms of possibility, sure. But that doesn't mean with the demand for highbrow books won't be supplied via other means, ie, tiktok is moreso a ramp for traffic not a hodgepodge of intellectual creativity. Sorry for long response. I much rather keep things short and simple and not digress if I can help. I will say I did like points made on second half of video, though, I would say it speaks more on human rights rather than effects on reading communities.
I was thinking it's bad for publishers, authors, and readers alike. Bookstores will suffer from the ban. Tremendously so too.
Never had TikTok nor do I plan on having it. I follow a variety of booktubers on UA-cam and Instagram, though the format itself has gotten a bit stale at times, especially the bookhaul videos, which are still my favorite videos, but still. People like Brian Lee Durfee, you and other booktubers who diversify are the reason I keep coming back to booktube content. Although I don’t feel the need to begin reading romantasy and though I don’t watch many booktubers who talk about romantasy and romance, I have to say that it’s still, by far, the most dominant genre when it comes to books on prominent display in bookstores. Recently other genres have begun to take back some of the spotlight, but I’d like to see more genres enticing men and especially young men to read.
can you guys read sometimes a great notion, please
Why is it bad for the apps to be run by people who support Trump? Tiktok is a Chinese app, and that's a fact. We need to be America first. Your only argument here is that Tiktok is a big part of your income. That is not about readers. I agree that it can be good, but many bad things can be good at times, like sugar. The ban is about America first. That is good. Or do you just not like Trump?
Never had TikTok nor do I plan on having it because of its ties to the Chinese government. I’d rather have a deep US state run platform than a Chinese one. I follow a variety of booktubers on UA-cam and Instagram, though the format itself has gotten a bit stale at times, especially the bookhaul videos, which are still my favorite videos, but still. People like Brian Lee Durfee, you and other booktubers who diversify are the reason I keep coming back to booktube content. Although I don’t feel the need to begin reading romantasy and though I don’t watch many booktubers who talk about romantasy and romance, I have to say that it’s still, by far, the most dominant genre when it comes to books on prominent display in bookstores. Recently other genres have begun to take back some of the spotlight, but I’d like to see more genres enticing men and especially young men to read.
It’s funny though I didn’t hear anyone complaining about freedom of speech when twitter blocked President Trump from posting. Now that the political tides are turning now we have to yell freedom of speech😂😂. I’ve never had a TikTok probably won’t ever get one, but if you fell like you need an echo chamber by all means.
Dude what are you talking about.
If TikTok goes away, people won't spend less time on social media- they will move their online time to instagram and youtube. Instagram and UA-cam lit pages will surge from actual responsive subscribers.
Not too familiar with the space-but any avenue being taken away for people to experience story is no bueno. Love the channel/podcast
Bluesky and fable are great spaces
To be fair, even if it does shut down, I'm sure a greedy company has seen the potential profit of such an app and a US version will pop up. At least, your data will be sold from a US company ♥. Tik Tok is, after all, the child of Musically.
me too. I found a lot of good recommendations on book toc. I do like that you highlight international books thats what got me to follow you
And I also think a lot of people who use Titktok will probably realise how addicted they are to it when it suddenly goes away.
(It would be the same for me if they banned Tumblr.)