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PaperclipPerfector  6mo ago (text post)   1886 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 suspect a lot of it is just content theft with the minimal effort required to make it unique. The reactor finds some content, and since he is a more savvy marketer/promoter/algorithm-manipulator/staring-with-open-mouth-thumbnail-maker than the original he can simply slap his reaction in a corner and hijack the views.

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