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PaperclipPerfector  7mo ago (text post)   1902 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for October 1, 2023

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Why do people enjoy reaction videos? I can understand the appeal for content creators: they are cheap and quick to make and please the gods of YT algorithms.

But why would I watch someone watch a video? Is it a parasocial thing, enjoying things you liked "together" with your "friend"?

I can only suspect it's mainly parasocial. It looks like a substitute for hanging out with an entertaining friend. It probably also serves up affirmations - I liked x, popular person y also likes x, pleasant vibe.

I think that watching "let's plays" is often similar. Possible hot take, but I almost want to say it's an indictment against modern society. Some people (quite a few?) are too low on energy and too lonely to even play a game alone or wrangle someone to play it together with, so they watch a parasocial video instead.

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