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Comment by firstSpeaker | Hacker News Reader

The main issue with TikTok that I am very much concerned about the portray of life in a way that is not matching the reality. Aka, it changes expectations of people so much that reality looks very disappointing or dull to them and that has a lot of downsides short and long term for mental health, career growth, personal growth and one's role in the society.

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That's another twist on FOMO, which is a big part of the reason social media apps became addictive to people over the past decade. It's not exclusive to TT, they just do it with video where in the old days, Twitter and IG would do it with image memes, gifs and text.

I would argue that movies, tv shows and advertisements have been doing essentially the same thing for 100+ years.

I think folks have a harder time recognizing "that's not real life" on something like a TikTok video or a Instagram Reel than they might for a movie, TV show, or advertisement.

I dunno, professional advertising firms are pretty up on psychological manipulation. If you buy these shoes you'll "be like Mike." Buy your wife this car/diamond necklace for Christmas and you'll ensure a loving relationship like this fake couple. Buy these clothes and you'll look like this stunningly beautiful person and the ladies/boys will fall for you. Buy this medicine and you'll be completely cured and running around on the beach when you're 80. Buy this Harley/Corvette and you'll be free from the drudgeries of life. These cool kids ride this bicycle, what do you ride? Buy buy buy.

I hardly watch commercials anymore unless it's a ballgame. I was discussing with a buddy of what the psychological imprint of 40+ years of advertising would look like.

"Sell the sizzle, not the steak."

Reality is disappointing. Maybe it's better to learn about it sooner than later?

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