Signups opened this week for Loops, a short-form looping video app from the creator of Instagram alternative Pixelfed, reports TechCrunch.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    194 hours ago

    Ignoring the myriad of other issues listed in this thread, the bit about training AI is pretty misleading. It’s not hard to scrape webpages for whatever kind of data you like, even if loops doesn’t outright hand things over for third parties for that purpose.

    And the kind of people who are downloading the entire internet to train AIs are the type to be willing to just scrape without permission.

  • RiQuY
    link
    fedilink
    English
    125 hours ago

    Isn’t it just a Pixelfed instance but yellow?

      • RiQuY
        link
        fedilink
        English
        53 hours ago

        I was legit asking if it just was a Pixelfed instance or a fork of the project with new features.

  • @[email protected]
    cake
    link
    fedilink
    English
    437 hours ago

    Yes, and it will still be brainrot.

    My attention span is just fine. I don’t need to see it ruined by short format nonsense with about as much intellectual value as the nutritional value of a McDonald’s cheeseburger.

    I never installed TikTok or Snapchat on my phone, not because I had privacy concerns, but because I hate everything about the format.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      63 hours ago

      It’s not the format that is the problem. It’s that old rich people from the broadcast industry decided that since they couldn’t compete with the communications and community industry they’d instead turn the communications platforms into broadcast platforms and tear down all of the community aspects. It happened to all of social media including more long form media as well. So if this project can avoid selling out or being manipulated by spammers into becoming yet another broadcast platform, it might have a shot.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      55 hours ago

      I was there 3000 years ago when snapchat was brand new… those were some good times. Sending snaps to all your friends and staying in touch etc, before all the filters and stories and news etc it was great

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      107 hours ago

      I’ve been avoiding it for years and finally gave in in the moment of weakness. I uninstalled it very soon after because I hated the experience so much and never gave it another thought nor chance. xd

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        11 hour ago

        I did that exact same thing with Twitter about seven years ago and I still don’t understand why someone would use it

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    9811 hours ago

    I don’t think TikTok community is compatible with the idea of fediverse

    TikTok exists to give you large floods of endorphins via either an algorithm trained to your interests or by giving you big numbers. And this is not exclusive to TikTok, this is just how modern “social” media works, it’s the sole reason why bluesky succeeded more than mastodon

    Modern social media is mostly a hive mind of people affirming each other driven by algorithms. Fediverse on the other hand, always boils down to a old fashioned usenet style network made just so people can talk with each other. You can’t really get addicted to fedi

    I wasn’t really alive during the wild west internet (im 19). I got into the net during the transition from forums to modern social media and reddit was my first social. I tried getting into facebook and instagram because everyone else was there but I just didn’t like it much.

    I don’t know why but “the algorithm” is really boring for me. I only tried algorithm driven feeds on reddit (after u/spez) and on tumblr but the recommendations were always extremely “fake”. Other sorting methods like “new” or “by most active” just feel more like as if there was someone on the other side of the keyboard

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      2
      edit-2
      1 hour ago

      An interesting point, that a lot of younger people might not know: social media wasn’t always like this.

      When I joined facebook around 2008-09, it wasn’t algorithm driven, there weren’t even ads. You had a chronological feed of your friends’ interactions, so you could see if someone posts a photo, comments something, or shares a stupid quiz. It was a very-very different feeling compared to what we have now. It was useful and practical, but the enshittification killed it.

      I would never sign up for something like this today, absolutely useless - only reason I’m still there is the messaging app, which I use daily with most of my friends/family.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      799 hours ago

      You can’t really get addicted to fedi

      Hmm… anxiously eyeing my Lemmy post history…

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        289 hours ago

        Yeah, I’m not as addicted to Lemmy as I was with Reddit, because there aren’t as many comments and niche communities and an algorithm messing with me, but like I check Lemmy throughout each day and if I’m honest there’s not much purpose aside from getting that hit.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          37 hours ago

          I’m kinda in line with you, but I have noticed that there are more days and even weeks if I’m busy where I never look at Lemmy. I don’t think I went a full day without Reddit unless I specifically decided to for like a trip with an SO or family

      • Sabata
        link
        fedilink
        English
        78 hours ago

        You can’t really get addicted to fedi

        Phew, I was getting a bit worried.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        49 hours ago

        I had some days that I spent hours debating with people, other days I just chill and chat with people, particularly on Mastodon.

        and then theres… Lemmy, I was probably addicted to the hardest. The score system would keep me checking it and i’d be interested in keeping my score up high. I’d even argue that it made me a better human being.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      89 hours ago

      It’s weird seeing how “the algorithm” has genuinely only made things worse. Falling into the YouTube rabbit hole was a thing, and it was entirely organic. From the loose connections of topics, you could start from any feel good funny video, and end in detailed documentary about MK Ultra.

      The best algorithm was no algorithm and there’s no way of ever going back to that. I feel pretty lucky to have experienced the internet before it became everything.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        07 hours ago

        my favorite feel good funny videos are about Mk Ultra and the three letter agencies (IRS FDA MSG)

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      18 hours ago

      I’d be surprised if it wasn’t a bit more subtle than that. While the medium really facilitate the behavior that you describe, I’m pretty sure that it also hosts sane usages, creative content and positive communities.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    5011 hours ago

    My problem with tiktok/reels/shorts is not that they aren’t federated. It’s the entire format/concept I hate.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      148 hours ago

      I think I might like them better if they didn’t auto-play. I hate anything that auto-plays.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        77 hours ago

        Let’s take it a step further, a tile based feed where you can pick yourself what would you like to watch, wait…

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      49 hours ago

      I think if you’re just looking for quick news breaks then it can be useful but if you’re looking for detailed content or lengthy movies, or skits. Something like Youtube would be more preferred. I think for me it depends on the content.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        88 hours ago

        I watch a ton of YouTube. I love it for entertainment and some news. I absolutely hate YouTube for tutorials or guides though. If I’m trying to figure out how to fix a computer issue, I just want to read about it and have screenshots I can look at. I don’t want to have to constantly pause a damn video or scroll back and forth to find info.

        As far as tiktok style videos go I just hate everything about them. I hate the auto play, I hate the vertical aspect ratio, I hate the stupid auto voiceovers, I hate the dumb floating captions and comments overlay, I hate the lack of volume adjustment or the ability to pause and rewind or seek. I hate the types of brainrot content that people make to work the algorithm. I hate that the format has infested YouTube and IG with no real way to be rid of it.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          47 hours ago

          Agreed, except youtube is great for any guides on stuff like vehicle maintenance. Want to know how to do something on your car? It’s almost guaranteed there’s a youtube video walking you through the whole process.

          • @[email protected]
            link
            fedilink
            English
            26 hours ago

            Agreed. Automotive repair is a big exception to my video tutorial hatred. It just makes more sense as it’s something being worked on in 3 dimensions. It would probably work well for home improvement stuff as well.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          17 hours ago

          If you hate the content, find out other types of content that does work with the short videos. Surely you could find some kind of use from it? From the videos being short it has time saving potential particularly I can see that atleast.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        57 hours ago

        I think if you’re just looking for quick news breaks then it can be useful…

        No, even then, that format is even worse. Good journalism often has a nuance and detail to it. The short-format video nonsense barely has enough time to get through a headline and a broad summary.

        The 24h news cycle is bad enough without trying to shorten it further to 90sec ragebait clips.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          17 hours ago

          I addressed that actually. I said if you wanted more detail then youtube or peertube might be better.

          But if you just want a quick glance, then that’s why I said then maybe the short form content might be preferred.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    19513 hours ago

    Maybe I’m just old, but I traveled by plane recently (I don’t fly very often) and seeing everyone around me mindlessly scrolling short-form video content was shocking. Looked identical to the people in the space ship in WALL-E.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          3812 hours ago

          Millions upon millions disagree. Some people are alcoholics and some people can enjoy a drink now and then. It’s the same with short form video content. Not everyone is an addict and I like that I can search something and actually get answers instead of an article or 10 minute video begging for subscribers and 1/3 of the video being an intro.

          • @[email protected]
            link
            fedilink
            English
            15 hours ago

            Right, exactly this. Also not ALL of the stuff that’s shortform is brain rot or nonsense. There’s so many different people doing so many different things and if you give it a chance enough to find the things you like it can be as enjoyable as a long form YouTube video or whatever form of media you do consider to be more respectable than short form videos. Dismissing ALL short form content is just silly. And sure if you actually just don’t enjoy it than that’s your thing.

          • @[email protected]
            link
            fedilink
            English
            1812 hours ago

            For what it’s worth, getting in the habit of making excuses for one’s use is part of alcoholism.

            • @[email protected]
              link
              fedilink
              English
              910 hours ago

              I’m not an alcoholic and I’m not addicted to TikTok because I watch it at the airport.

        • SkaveRat
          link
          fedilink
          English
          1712 hours ago

          also not a fan of them, but people are enjoying it. so by definition it’s not boring for them

      • FenrirIII
        link
        fedilink
        English
        3611 hours ago

        You can have tons of fun at the airport as long as you don’t mind getting on the no-fly list.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        1412 hours ago

        Fair, but I traveled for a music festival and saw lots of people pulling up their phones to get a few hits of TikTok/insta when there was a small lull in action. And most of them were with friends. Just enjoy your surroundings.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          24 hours ago

          Next time I’m in an airport food court I’ll try to really take in the view of the cinnabon next to the starbucks.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          1011 hours ago

          I was at a party with a small group of friends recently. We were all talking in a group and then one guy started watching tik/insta/whatever with the volume on. Everyone kinda looked at each other like wtf? I asked our friend if he wanted to borrow my headphones to watch that. He took the hint and rejoined the conversation. I still was gobsmacked someone would do that while hanging out with people.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        8
        edit-2
        12 hours ago

        The way you write tells me you are young.

        The older you get (and having a family of your own) the more you enjoy the quiet moments, just like the ones when you sit in an airport, waiting for the plane.

        It’s really feels like a weight has been lifted from your shoulders.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          2512 hours ago

          I’m 37 with 2 kids. Sometimes I watch short form videos to kill time when bored. I’m aware of the fact that it’s not great for me. I also drink too much caffeine.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      2411 hours ago

      What tf you want them to do?

      I don’t see how reading magazines, what people used to do, is any better.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      1313 hours ago

      I’m glad there’s still a place left for us old curmudgeons that isn’t overrun by normies yet. i saw somebody suggest hosting things on tor, just for the purpose of keeping normies away from it. hilarious but probably would work great!

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      612 hours ago

      Instagram has been getting me with this. I like to post sometimes, but my friends and I recently compared our screen time stats and I couldn’t believe I was regularly wasting hours a day mindlessly scrolling IG. I uninstalled the app and will just occasionally post from my computer.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        19 hours ago

        I took it off my home screen and started using one of those screen time apps. I check it two or three times a day now, instead of however many it was before.

    • Tux
      link
      fedilink
      English
      412 hours ago

      TikTok has 2 versions:

      One is what we use. People mindlessly scroll brainrot contents with algorithm desinged to as addictive as possible.

      Another one is chinese version. It has actualy useful and educative content, but its China only.

      • JoYo
        link
        fedilink
        English
        712 hours ago

        I don’t think the national security risk from tiktok is people watching it while waiting an hour for the plane to actually take off.

        it’s from the clear boosting of propaganda.

        • @[email protected]
          link
          fedilink
          English
          510 hours ago

          The boosting of propaganda and the identification, tracking and exploitation of government targets.

          People in key government positions are still people like us and they love social media too. Having an app on their phone doing data mining can identify people of interest and then collect data, target and compromise them. Even without the app on a government issued phone they can identify key people using their personal phones and then target them for more sophisticated surveillance.

      • Aatube
        link
        fedilink
        410 hours ago

        As a Chinese person, no. Chinese version is just censored more. Both are good as far as format goes.

      • @[email protected]
        link
        fedilink
        English
        212 hours ago

        Regardless of whether the content is “useful and educative” or “brainrot”, I just don’t seem how you can comprehend rapidly-changing and very short content at all, this just seems unnatural. Is that how ADHD feels like? And not like you can get comprehensive knowledge from such bite-sized videos anyway, maximum disjointed factoids.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      1
      edit-2
      12 hours ago

      Yeah, fucking sheep!

      I also thought about those scenes in Wally when I was walking the dog the other day.

      Soon all of us will float around in armchairs and never step outside.

      Welcome to the new world.

      PS: I am old too.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    109 hours ago

    Headline should say coming TO the Fediverse.

    “It’s coming for you!” has a more aggressive meaning.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    19
    edit-2
    10 hours ago

    Anyone actually got an email? I have signed up and haven’t gotten one all week :(

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      17 hours ago

      Haven’t gotten mine, either. Email said I’d get an invite like that night, but one never came.

    • Fitik
      link
      fedilink
      49 hours ago

      I got this email 5 days ago and nothing since

      Hi @Fitik, We’re thrilled to welcome you to Loops.video! We’re in the process of onboarding all our new users, and we can’t wait for you to experience the magic of short looping video. Keep an eye out for another email from us later tonight or tomorrow (depending on when you signed up). It will have all the details you need to get started, including how to create your first Loop. Welcome to the Loops community! Regards, The Loops Team

    • Green Wizard
      link
      fedilink
      English
      39 hours ago

      Thought I put in the wrong email or something and was super confused for a while myself 😁

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    6013 hours ago

    Im guessing it’s going to be missing all the features that make tiktok popular like duets and pedophilia.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    7313 hours ago

    They don’t have to sell or provide videos to third parties, because they can just do it themselves.

    That’s the nature of actual federation. It’s not private.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    14
    edit-2
    11 hours ago

    Who is going to pay to host all this content?

    Also wish it were 5 or 10 minute limit rather than 60 seconds.

    • @[email protected]
      link
      fedilink
      English
      99 hours ago

      I have the same question, because many mastodon instances are barely keeping up with the costs of hosting pictures + text.

    • Aatube
      link
      fedilink
      210 hours ago

      the idea is that you just watch them when you have a tiny gap to kill (and thus you become addicted)

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    59 hours ago

    I signed up for Loops the first day. I didn’t get an email confirmation until two days after, and I still haven’t been given a way to sign in.

  • DarkThoughts
    link
    fedilink
    1112 hours ago

    Granted, TicTok is worse than cancer so technically speaking this is of course a “good” step. But I have such a distaste (or rather hatred) for this type of content (same with Shorts), that I still cannot feel good about it.

  • @[email protected]
    link
    fedilink
    English
    510 hours ago

    Lemmy’s final boss…

    Then again, Lemmy and ActivityPub are (by design) wide open to anyone, including TenCent