With the development of science, technology is also advancing. People's lifestyles benefit from user-centric design, such as data push—you can browse videos you like based on your preferences, and swipe away videos you're not interested in.
But is short video really designed with our best interests in mind?
The proliferation of short videos allows us to immerse ourselves in entertainment anytime, anywhere: during study breaks, exercise intervals, or while waiting for friends. To be honest, short videos have significantly increased our enjoyment of life.
We're accustomed to being "netizens" who flip through the day's trending topics to understand social dynamics (what's happening) and relieve the fatigue brought on by work or studying. However, while big data targeting our preferences for short video pushes indeed brings us much joy, it also brings numerous issues.
Firstly, it's a waste of time because we immerse ourselves in what we like. Immersion traps us in the virtual world, transcending time and space boundaries (work, study). In the realm of structured social work and study, we forget our tasks and become engrossed in our own worlds, gradually forgetting the true nature of society. Short videos act like dopamine catalysts, keeping us engrossed in excitement that makes it hard to fall asleep.
Secondly, there's confirmation bias. Stereotypes and prejudices unconsciously deepen due to big data pushes. Our own biases may be constrained by societal expectations, causing us to overlook or not give enough weight to other biases: racial discrimination, gender discrimination, discrimination against minority groups, or workplace discrimination. Invisible discrimination may influence our video preferences at such times, and big data unreservedly conveys such information to us, reinforcing our stereotypes—believing what we see more of.
Lastly, short videos can reduce our capacity for deep thinking. There are many "experts" in short videos, and we effortlessly acquire information (free-rider: enjoying content without contributing), no longer needing to wait in line at hospitals or learn to gain valuable experiences. However, have you considered that this also, to a certain extent, deprives us of the opportunity to think critically?
In conclusion, while big data pushes and short videos bring many positives to our lives, we should remain vigilant about these potential issues. As we enjoy convenience and entertainment, we should also maintain balance, improve our media literacy, actively consider the information we receive, and strive to remain open to diverse viewpoints and deep contemplation.
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