I am learning more on TikTok in 6 months than I’ve learned in 20 years casually browsing the internet.

Which speaks to the power of the algorithm, the feed (interest-driven), and the format (1 minute > 5-15 minutes, we love a tight brief).

(A thread)

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B: Did you know that Goldfish turn black when they’re not feeling great and changed colors when they’re feeling better?

Also, fish have feelings?

I guarantee you this is now my margarita recipe over any other thing I could have possibly Googled and not had ingredients for.

Exhibit D:
Different generational codes (not just in language and attitudes but gestures too).

Exhibit E:
There are a lot about Plants in general (how to care for specific types, how to propagate, how to cultivate).

It was easier to find out how to grow herbs from seeds than it was on YouTube/Blogs.

But also: how did I never think about plants drinking “bottoms up”?

Exhibit F: NUNS who are responding to Q&A (while there’s other great examples like the Spriritual Sisters of the Valley or Noella Marcelino) I just love the openness and view into daily life.

Exhibit G: Hearing/seeing different cultures first hand in an accessible way. This is just a recent example, but deliberately following Native American, African, Desi and more contextualizes a lot.

Exhibit H: A lot of history. Some of this is because GenZ is helping each other study (a lot of one minute event explainers) but I’ve seen anything from Salvador Dali being a fascist to Korea-Japan relations pre/post WWII.

These historical images of LGBTQ+ folks blew me away.

Exhibit I: Health - while this can always be tricky for what to trust. I love seeing Eastern & Western doctors making content.

For example, this series which breaks down how tongue color is used as as a diagnostic tool in Traditional Chinese Medicine makes a lot of sense.

Exhibit J: Practical daily “nifty” crafts. This specific one on reusable food wrappers felt like an accessible, practical project I could do in less than an hour (and be eco friendly by reducing the use of ziplocs and plastic wrap)

Exhibit K: While I took music in high school/college, I could “sight read” for singing but never actually craft a beat. Basic explainers like this are

Exhibit L: My mom is Chinese and my Grandmother had to flee China in the 50s because of the family’s politics. We have limited family recipes. I loved this account of an urban kid who goes to his grandparents’ farm in rural China & shares the recipes.

Exhibit M: Content production - while I am more of a lurker than creator, there are super useful niches for things like Photography, Styling, and more. I thought this process & product one was .