Pretty sure I'll get downvoted for this, but it needs to be said.<p>I've got a couple of thoughts with the problems people have with all social media, not just tiktok:<p>- The reason why the social media propaganda is so effective is bc it can target and amplify real grievances - and I want to emphasize <i>real grievances</i>. Example - most cops are not racists thrill killers, but there are plenty of wrongful shootings of black folks + George Floyd, and russian trolls can amplify that easily to create dissent. Same with the Bin Laden letter - turns out that US policy in the middle east has been more harmful than good [1], and US government is freaking out, not bc their kids are turning into jihadists, its bc the government propaganda is now transparent and the kids are pissed.<p>- If we banned tiktok (or any other social media company) someone will make another in its place. The tech and business model are no longer novel. Instagram's V1 was on the app store in 2 months. Banning or regulating social media (especially the way Nikki Haley wants, with removing anonymity) will not solve anything long term.<p>- So what is the solution long term? Let's start with not doing more harm than good in the world. Second, there aren't any institutions that are going to save the day. Both political parties are corrupt to the core, and function for their donors, not their constituents (internalize that, and the world will start to make more sense). Therefore, the memetic fight for the people you love will start and end at home and not on X, facebook, tiktok - that's all I'll say about that.<p>[1] If you really want to go down the Bin Laden rabbit hole, watch the 1997 Peter Bergen interview. He basically gives 3 reasons as to why he turned on the US (after being an ally, btw): (1) US support of Israel at the expense of Palestinians, (2) US support of the Saudi family and their corruption, (3) the presence of US military in Arab countries. Funny, none of those reason have anything to do with "hating freedom" and has everything to do with US foreign policy in the middle east.