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I think the healthier way to interact with social media is to measure how well it distributes your work, rather than measuring your work by how well it is distributed by social media.

I think this is actually a design flaw rather than some sort of malicious attempt of the designer. The team at YouTube wants you to play by their rules, changing your approach to art or communication to fit into their container. But the competition TikTok brings is rooted in a different philosophy: TikTok knows that to keep me as a creator, they have to prove they know how to distribute my content. They are doing the opposite of YouTube; they want to prove they are the best partner to distribute my work, while YouTube wants me to prove I am the best creator for their platform.

This is a clear distinction between two growth mindsets. One positions itself as the aspiration of humanity—we should aim to fit into their box. If your content isn't what YouTube is capable of distributing, the problem is you. Part of YouTube's growth strategy is publishing a list of dos and don'ts for those willing to play the game. This is clearly illustrated by how your first video on YouTube is likely to flop unless it is as close to generic as possible.

The other platform positions itself as a partner. TikTok will initially be generous with you and gradually help you find the right fit. That is why your first video is likely to be your best-performing video on TikTok. However, I have seen TikTok publishing rules of engagement recently, so I don't know if the platform will stay this way.

The reason most platforms incline towards the YouTube model is greed, or her synonym, laziness. This human vice mostly manifests as the need to control. At a certain point, a human becomes entitled to their desires and attempts to trap them in a box, only allowing those desires to be modified if they fit into said box. A box made of measurements is limited to only the things it can measure most easily. This is the charm of the Persian mathematician Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, which has since enchanted the minds of Silicon Valley.

Luckily for those among them who have ears, I am here. I know how to lift the curse, but it is sad that I need money to do it. If you or anyone you know has money and is willing to work with me to build the future of content distribution, hit me up. I am building Pyepa, an algorithm to distribute film (especially Ugandan films) and other long-form videos. It is a truly fair algorithm. Some may even call it enlightened. Except, if it was, it would not need money. Forgive me that I have to play a little divide in order to conquer, that is the only game they know and I have to prove to them that I am better at it otherwise they will never stop. Anyway, click on the "pay if you can" button, and if you want me to know who you are, sign in before you pay. You can also email me at kenneth@uvotamstudio.com. 

The purpose and benefit of virtuous behavior is freedom from remorse.

The purpose and benefit of freedom from remorse is satisfaction.

The purpose and benefit of satisfaction is joy.

The purpose and benefit of joy is pacification of the body.

The purpose and benefit of pacification of the body is pleasure.

The purpose and benefit of pleasure is concentration.

The purpose and benefit of concentration is knowledge and vision of things as they really are.

The purpose and benefit of knowledge and vision of things as they really are is disenchantment and dispassion.

The purpose and benefit of disenchantment and dispassion is knowledge and vision of liberation.