Hi Julian, even if this bill passes and succeeds in forcing a sale to a US buyer, there are still fundamental issues with TikTok and other social platforms that wouldn’t be addressed (e.g., misinformation, manipulation / division fueled my bot farms, echo chambers, etc.). As someone who is a social media super user, what would an ideal state social media (Social Media 2.0) look like to provide us the upsides of social media while limiting the downsides?
This question merits an article response which I will get to (so thanks for the question!). I believe the combination has to encompass (i) identity-verified comment sections v. anonymous ones, (ii) a crackdown on misinformation & holding platforms accountable when they help spread it, (iii) wholesale elimination of bot farms & foreign interference through anonymous accounts, (iv) a break up of Instagram from Meta to improve competition, and (v) more awareness & strict rules on what kind of content can be shown to kids (anyone under 18).
Hi Julian, I have a question. What are your thoughts about the JSD/SJD degrees? I have heard that they are good if you want to be a law school professor. Is that true?
Thank you for your reply. For various personal reasons, would it be a viable long term career path if I could just stay at a paralegal role for many years? I am not sure of my own abilities at graduating from a well ranked JD degree and starting my own law firm.
Hi Julian, I am a Chinese American woman myself and I don't know whether TikTok is a true national security threat. Don't other social media websites also store our data? Something I can definitely say though is that TikTok matters greatly to my Asian American identity and it is a source of entertainment and positivity during Asian American discrimination in the COVID pandemic. I would be a very different person today without the lawtok culture, including having seen your videos about mental health.
I think the problem is that we don't know what we don't know - and there's no way for us to discover if they are manipulating the content we see. I'd support legislation that forces them to give us that insight but they could always lie and the damage would continue to be wrought... Like you - I agree that Tiktok has tremendous value. It's because of the app that I've been able to open up my own firm and reach others through my advocacy, plus build a community of like minded folks like you. I really do think that the US can find a buyer for the app!
Good analysis; thanks, Julian!
Hi Julian, even if this bill passes and succeeds in forcing a sale to a US buyer, there are still fundamental issues with TikTok and other social platforms that wouldn’t be addressed (e.g., misinformation, manipulation / division fueled my bot farms, echo chambers, etc.). As someone who is a social media super user, what would an ideal state social media (Social Media 2.0) look like to provide us the upsides of social media while limiting the downsides?
This question merits an article response which I will get to (so thanks for the question!). I believe the combination has to encompass (i) identity-verified comment sections v. anonymous ones, (ii) a crackdown on misinformation & holding platforms accountable when they help spread it, (iii) wholesale elimination of bot farms & foreign interference through anonymous accounts, (iv) a break up of Instagram from Meta to improve competition, and (v) more awareness & strict rules on what kind of content can be shown to kids (anyone under 18).
Hi Julian, I have a question. What are your thoughts about the JSD/SJD degrees? I have heard that they are good if you want to be a law school professor. Is that true?
Hmmm I'm personally not a fan of JSD. I think at that point you should just do a JD - it will carry you farther in the academic career realm.
Thank you for your reply. For various personal reasons, would it be a viable long term career path if I could just stay at a paralegal role for many years? I am not sure of my own abilities at graduating from a well ranked JD degree and starting my own law firm.
Hi Julian, I am a Chinese American woman myself and I don't know whether TikTok is a true national security threat. Don't other social media websites also store our data? Something I can definitely say though is that TikTok matters greatly to my Asian American identity and it is a source of entertainment and positivity during Asian American discrimination in the COVID pandemic. I would be a very different person today without the lawtok culture, including having seen your videos about mental health.
I think the problem is that we don't know what we don't know - and there's no way for us to discover if they are manipulating the content we see. I'd support legislation that forces them to give us that insight but they could always lie and the damage would continue to be wrought... Like you - I agree that Tiktok has tremendous value. It's because of the app that I've been able to open up my own firm and reach others through my advocacy, plus build a community of like minded folks like you. I really do think that the US can find a buyer for the app!