Rebecca Jennings, Editor of 'The Goods' at Vox, joins the podcast to discuss the demise of Twitter/X and the Facebook vs. TikTok power struggle. They also talk about the rise of 'De-influencers' who advertise and lie about poorly made products. The hosts delve into the challenges of monetizing content, the influence of TikTok videos on consumer behavior, and the skepticism towards influencer reviews. They also touch on AI-generated deep fake ads, a chance encounter, and the importance of supporting writers and causes.
The podcast discusses the convention of leaving up Christmas lights until February and the varying opinions on this practice among neighbors and cultures.
The hosts share their experiences with using Twitter, including the challenges of account access and spam messages, while highlighting the platform's humor and community-building aspects.
The episode explores the phenomenon of 'de-influencing' and its complex relationship with consumerism, as influencers attempt to expose deceptive advertising while still adhering to advertising principles.
Deep dives
The Fate of Christmas Lights: To Keep or Take Down?
The hosts discuss the convention of when to take down Christmas lights and whether they should be kept up longer. They debate the merits of extending the winter delight and the need for extra time with fun lights and joy in January. While opinions vary among neighbors and cultures, the hosts express their proclivity for leaving Christmas lights up until February. They touch on the melancholic feeling when Christmas decorations remain, but also celebrate the beauty and cheerfulness of extended light displays.
The Resurgence of Personal Twitter Accounts
The hosts share their experiences and thoughts on using personal Twitter accounts. They discuss the challenges faced when locked out of accounts, the promotions received despite the lack of access, and the frustration with spam messages and junk content. Despite these issues, they express their love for Twitter and highlight the platform's unique humor and its ability to deliver jokes that cannot be found elsewhere. They reflect on the value of Twitter for connecting with a community and sharing witty content, noting that it remains a preferred platform for humor despite its flaws.
The Evolution of Social Media Influencing
The hosts delve into the evolving world of social media influencing. They explore the pressures faced by influencers to constantly promote products and the authenticity and relatability that audiences expect. They discuss the phenomenon of 'de-influencing,' where influencers attempt to expose the excessive consumerism and deception prevalent in the field. However, they caution that de-influencing can often be a facade as it still adheres to the same advertising principles. They observe the complexities of influencer culture and the blurred lines between genuine content and sales pitches.
The Rise of De-Influencing and the Impact on Shopping Behavior
The podcast episode discusses the rise of de-influencing, where influencers either discourage people from buying certain products or openly criticize products they previously promoted. This phenomenon was observed on TikTok, where videos criticizing or discouraging purchases gained attention. The discussion highlights the power of influencers in shaping consumer behavior and the ways in which influencers' opinions can impact sales and popularity of products. The conversation also touches on the challenges of traditional search engines, such as Google, and how platforms like TikTok serve as a more direct and authentic source of information for users.
The Influence of Marketing and Advertising on Social Media Platforms
Another key point discussed in the podcast is the growing influence of marketing and advertising on social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and YouTube. The hosts reflect on their own experiences of being enticed by targeted ads and the allure of products promoted by influencers. They question the ethics of marketing and the responsibility of platforms in vetting advertisers. The conversation delves into how advertising strategies have evolved and the impact of ads on consumers' desires and purchasing decisions. The hosts also explore the distinction between text-based and video-based platforms, considering the different ways content and influencers are presented and consumed.
We're joined by friend of the show Rebecca Jennings, editor of "The Goods" at Vox, to discuss the big changes and shifts online to look out for.
We discuss the near-certain death of Twitter/X, the power struggle between Facebook and TikTok, and why everyone is being forced into pivoting to video. We also talk about Rebecca's recent article on 'De-influencers' – who, while saying people should buy less, are still advertising and lying about poorly produced products.
As the humanitarian crisis continues to unfold in Gaza, we encourage anyone who can to donate to Medical Aid for Palestinians. You can donate using the links below.
please do make your voice heard in other ways about this. Showing up at protest marches and writing letters to elected MPs are useful acts of solidarity. Please encourage your elected representatives to support calls for a ceasefire, while still bearing in mind a ceasefire represents the bare minimum.
--------
PHOEBE ALERT
Can't get enough Phoebe? Check out her Substack Here!
--------
Ten Thousand Posts is a show about how everything is posting. It's hosted by Hussein (@HKesvani), Phoebe (@PRHRoy) and produced by Devon (@Devon_onEarth).
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode