#how to get more organic tiktok followers in 2020?

[ladyshinga]

I keep being told to "adapt" to this new AI world.

Okay.

Well first of all, I've been training myself more and more how to spot fake images. I've been reading every article with a more critical eye to see if it's full of ChatGPT's nonsense. I've been ignoring half the comments on stuff just assuming it's now mostly bots trying to make people angry enough to comment.

When it comes to the news and social issues, I've started to focus on and look for specific journalists and essayists whose work I trust. I've been working on getting better at double-checking and verifying things.

I have been working on the biggest part, and this one is a hurdle: PEOPLE. People whose names and faces I actually know. TALKING to people. Being USED to talking to people. Actual conversations with give and take that a chat bot can't emulate even if their creators insist they can.

All of this combined is helping me survive an AI-poisoned internet, because here's what's been on my mind:

What if the internet was this poisoned in 2020?

Would we have protested after George Floyd?

A HUGE number of people followed updates about it via places like Twitter and Tiktok. Twitter is now a bot-hell filled with nazis and owned by a petulant anti-facts weirdo, and Tiktok is embracing AI so hard that it gave up music so that its users can create deepfakes of each other.

Would information have traveled as well as it did? Now?

The answer is no. Half the people would have called the video of Floyd's death a deepfake, AI versions of it would be everywhere to sew doubt about the original, bots would be pushing hard for people to do nothing about it, half the articles written about it would be useless ChatGPT garbage, and the protests themselves… might just NOT have happened. Or at least, they'd be smaller - AND more dangerous when it comes to showing your face in a photo or video - because NOW what can people DO with that photo and video? The things I mentioned earlier will help going forward. Discernment. Studying how the images look, how the fake audio sounds, how the articles often talk in circles and litter in contradictory misinformation. and PEOPLE.

PEOPLE is the biggest one here, because if another 2020-level event happens where we want to be protesting on the streets by the thousands, our ONLY recourse right now is to actually connect with people. Carefully of course, it's still a protest, don't use Discord or something, they'll turn your chats over to cops.

But what USED to theoretically be "simple" when it came to leftist organizing ("well my tweet about it went viral, I helped!") is just going to require more WORK now, and actual personal communication and connection and community. I know if you're reading this and you're American, you barely know what that feels like and I get it. We're deprived of it very much on purpose, but the internet is becoming more and more hostile to humanity itself. When it comes to connecting to other humans… we now have to REALLY connect to other humans

I'm sorry. This all sucks. But adapting usually does.

[batboyblog]

I fundamentally disagree with your take that any future/ongoing users of TikTok are supporting or enabling trump.

We don’t use TikTok or any other social platform because of the CEO. We use social media because of the communities we form and love.

Obviously trump wants it back because it helped his election campaign, but that doesn’t negate every positive collective action or community that formed on the app. Everything good also has bad, because as the saying goes, there is no ethical consumption under capitalism. We can try to be good, but we can’t only support ethical companies.

Also, what about international users? I’m Australian, and trump impacts Australian politics directly and indirectly, but does me using TikTok support him? It’s still an independent company.

Given the ban was done by congress, not the executive, I have every reason to believe that a Harris/democrat office would also make efforts to stop the ban. It’s easy political points.

I'm gonna try to be nice, which given my mood today, the impending Trumpalypse and the hostage release today have me in a bad mood.

Sooooo I have to reject the idea that helping re-elect Trump could ever be balanced out by any other "good", if such good even exists, that any app, person, or organization does.

before anyone jumps in to smugly tell me they're not an American so Trump being the American President doesn't matter, I'll remind you, we all live on the same planet. One thats getting warmer? in case you hadn't noticed. 2024 was the first year on record to breach the 1.5 degree warming mark that is very bad news. President Biden passed the biggest climate action bill that any government anywhere on earth ever ever has passed. Trump has pledged to repeal that law, and also hold back all the money in it not already spent.

as you can see under Biden we're on goal through 2030, and then more and different policies would be needed to get us where we need to go, which Biden team in the dying days of his administration has set not that Trump will follow through.

so point being helping re-elect Trump might have doomed the planet so idk about anything "good" TikTok could possibly do to make up for being Responsible or the single biggest climate disaster in human history.

any ways, as a Jew when I think of TikTok I think antisemitism

"Jewish teens say life on TikTok comes with anti-Semitism" 2020

"Sliding Through: Spreading Antisemitism on TikTok by Exploiting Moderation Gaps" 2023

"How fast does TikTok send users down the antisemitic rabbit hole?" 2024

being on the internet right now as a Jewish person is fucking wild, buck wild, seeing people in their teens and 20s say NAZI, old school, 1940s Nazi shit on-line, in videos with their faces, it is everywhere and TikTok is some of the worst of it.

on top of which TikTok is spoon feeding massive amount of disinformation to users all the time, from mental health, to Covid Vaccines, to conspiracy theories that are effecting the real world. And studies show its actively hurting teens, pushing them toward self harm

speaking of Australia, its very clear that China is REALLY interested in influencing your country seeking to shift Australian public opinion against Taiwan and in favor of China, as well as push the country toward a more isolationist view. Also they're using data from not just TikTok but other apps to track people, and actively kidnap Chinese nationals in Australia who offend Xi's government. That's a wider problem than just TikTok of course, but it's super fucking scary.

So sorry the app you like is getting the axe in the US? I guess? but short form video in and of itself might be bad for your health. Apps like TikTok don't allow you to do what I've done here, offer links and data to back up what I'm saying so fact checking and accountability is basically 0. Finally there's a lot of evidence that TikTok has put its finger on the scale to push propaganda for Trump, for Xi and generally destabilize the world.

finally, what community? watching videos fed to you by a computer isn't a connection, its certainly not a conversation.

oh also "there is no ethical consumption under capitalism" is not some magical spell, it doesn't do away with the need to do good in the world, its meant to say don't let perfect be the enemy of good, whats the least bad option, nothing is flawless, but that doesn't mean going on to the app who's parting message to America was "big good daddy Trump gonna come save us" like fuck man thats bad

[enigma2meagain]

“Stop Internet Censorship” Master List

The following is a master list for all of the major Internet Censorship and Surveillance Bills between 2022 to 2023, with the most major bills that are currently active posted below. They will each link to the Tumblr posts that I have made in the past related to them, with all of the relevant information associated.

This was made because I feel people need to get a sense for just how interconnected they really are, how much Congress and third parties are trying to desperately gain full control and access to our information and silencing anything they don’t want to see and hear, and having a centralized hub of information for them will make it easier for people to find them.

The Major Bills:

EARN IT Act: 2022 version of EARN IT Act

                      2023 version of EARN IT Act (No text yet, but it’s pretending to be about preventing child abuse online this time)

     Enigma2Me Post on EARN IT Act

     fullhalalalchemist Post on EARN IT

     Condemnation of the EARN IT Act 2020 Coalition Letter

     STOP EARN IT Act LINKTREE

     Engadget: EARN IT Act reintroduced for the Third Time

------

Kids Online Safety Act: Current Draft of 2023 KOSA bill

     Enigma2Me Post on Kids Online Safety Act

     STOP KOSA LinkTree

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RESTRICT Act: Read Bill Here.

       Enigma2Me Post On RESTRICT Act

      LoganGalbraith’s Post on RESTRICT Act

       Truthout Article 4/02/2023: Restrict Act Critics Call the Far-Reaching “TikTok Ban” Bill a “Patriot Act 2.0”  

------

STOP CSAM Act:

      Electronic Frontier Foundation: Take Action on STOP CSAM/EARN IT

      TechDirt Post Against STOP CSAM Act

------

So if you’ve seen the above, you’re probably asking: What can we do about it?

1) Spread the Word online!

Twitter Hashtags

For Earn It: #EARNITAct, #STOPTheEARNITAct, #NoEarnItAct

For KOSA: #KOSA, #KidsOnlineSafetyAct, STOPKOSA

For RESTRICTAct: #RESTRICTAct, #STOPRESTRICTAct

2) PLEASE call your Senators.

Find your 2 senators numbers here. Fax them, email them. Tell them they MUST oppose this bill. Calmly make it clear to them that if they support this bill, then you will vote for someone else who doesn’t go along with this blatant act of authoritarian intent.

3) CONTACT any major human rights and cybersecurity related organizations and let them know about this bill. Get this out to any local news groups that you can.

The following Google Doc contains a list of every major organization we could think of to contact, and will be updated as we find more allies in the fight against censorship and surveillance.

ANTI-CENSORSHIP MASTER LIST

Also Contact the organizations on these 2020 letters to get them to publicly speak out against the EARN IT Act like they did back then.

But for those who want to have official organizations to work with (and who usually have petitions except TechDirt), the following usually are up to date on info:

Electronic Frontier Foundation

Fight For the Future

Techdirt

[diorslibrary]

"Escaping 2020 Shifttok" : GETTING YOUR OWN OPINION (And relying on yourself) ۶ৎ

As one was raised to do, people rely on other people. It's not every day that someone just trusts themselves enough to be fully independent, and I have seen that especially in shifting.

"2020 Shifttok" as people call it is apparently an era of TikTok where shifting had a lot of misinformation and ended up being watered down into unbelievable bits.

It ultimately became one of many reasons why a lot of shifters feel blockage.

"Dior, how to escape from my mind of 2020 Shifttok?" First: Understand you didn't follow 202 shifttok because you were dumb, you follow through with it because you are passionate. You did not follow the ideologies for no reason, but because you knew that to shift is what you wanted. It is still what you want, but you are believeing that 2020 shift tok ruined everything for you. It might not have.

1, the belief of "ruin" in shifting is already what holds back a lot of people. With a journey comes mistakes and redemption. If you fell into Shifttok so far you think you can't get out, make use of what you learned. Yes, staying hydrated and cleaning your room before you shift is useful. It helps with stress and helps with organization, it will ultimately help you declutter your space. Maybe it won't immediately make you shift, but it helps in the long run. This is what I mean. The information you took in, you took in for a reason. It will help with anything eventually, you just see it as a blockage which is why you don't think it will do you any good when it will.

Don't absorb any kind of information you find. If you look at a method and a lot of people have shifted with it, it doesn't mean you automatically will too. It is like clothes. If it fits other people, you have to look and see what differences other people's body have with yours in order to see if it will actually fit. If you are a size medium and they are a size extra small, then it won't fit you like it fits them, and you need to find a different size. With your own size, you can even measure yourself and sew your own clothes with the materials you already have. Your materials are your knowledge. You can use your own experience and preferences to begin making your own method.

Remember that you have time. You have time to improve, grow, and learn. Every day your goal is to shift, but make the most out of every lesson. Discover what methods work for you, discover what methods do not. Think about yourself, as no one will prioritize your shifting journey more than they prioritize their own. This can go for anything, but let's stay on the topic of shifting for now. You can only help yourself. Your mind and your heart know eachother, and if you think that anyone else can define you, you are wrong. Ultimately, you know yourself a lot more than you think. With some examination and experience, it'll take a lot less searching and a lot more of-- what do I think? Based on how I do this, how I feel about this, and what I know about this, should I do A or B?

Old advice you dedicate yourself to will always be there, so don't try to get rid of it-- change it up a little to go in your favor. Redecorate it nice and pretty, so it'll be a lot better to be around.

[georgegraphys]

I understand that some people might think marketability and popularity is important for George's career growth

But in my opinion and from my experience, that should be the last of the concerns you have. Why? Let me explain it (not so) briefly

We all know that everyone wants to be popular (not a wicked reference) but the important thing people often forgot is sustainability and longevity. You don't want to be a one hit wonder whose tiktok account blows up in a year, hits 30M followers and the next following years you only have 10k likes at the very most. You don't want that.

When measuring "popularity" and "growth", you don't just mention a random number or judge things from an external POV. You need to look at 100+ different aspects in order to judge things through. I'm giving several reasons as to why George's current popularity growth right now is very positive and you don't need to worry about anything.

1. George's popularity has been consistently growing since his first breakthrough in Sakhir 2020. Last year, according to this article written on December 11th 2023, George recorded 4.9M followers on instagram. As of today (2024/12/28), George has 6.2M followers. A 1.3M growth in less than a year. That is a consistent growth. A good trend going upwards and not downwards. These numbers and growth shows that George is going through an organic natural growth in his popularity as an F1 driver.

This also shows how George EMV is also doing great. First data is George's EMV from 22/23. Second one is George's EMV during the summer break period of 2024.

What is EMV? Earned Media Value represents the equivalent dollar value of exposure gained through non-paid channels, such as social media mentions, reviews, and organic search results. This metric quantifies the impact of word-of-mouth and organic reach in monetary terms.

Look at how he is actually doing very great. Although the reports aren't available for this year yet, I'm 100% sure things will be better this year because the growth for George PR wise is looking very positive and promising

2. Let's talk about priorities. Rather than signing up with random brands, doing disorganized campaigns at once, and signing up with a marketing agency to get the PR done, it would be better for George to have the current organic growth he has rn. Things that are artificial do not last long. Sometimes they do, if George manages to land a good agency that can understand and read him well. But if he doesn't? He might hit the wrong market of people and annoy them.

Mercedes' social media game might be weak. But guess what is not weak? Their sponsors. Currently, George hits 96 PR schedules done for Mercedes in 2024. Throughout these 96 schedules, sponsors such as Tommy Hilfiger, Ritz Carlton, Puma, Marriott, Mercedes Benz, and many more had pushed the publicity so hard through partnering with popular media partners such as Elle, HYPEBEAST, Esquire, L'Officiel Hommes, HIGHSNOBIETY, GQ, Dazed, Forbes, Prestige, DMARGE, Vogue, and many more. If you read these articles, click on their link, search George Russell's name on any platform, click the link to his instagram/posts on these articles, etc, all of that contributes to his EMV and engagement growth. There is a glaring difference between the contents put out by the sponsors last year and this year. With the excellent performance George had this year, the sponsors are also eager to push his stories out to the media, creating partnerships, and publicity for him. What they're doing right now exceeds my OG expectation because slowly but surely they are pairing George up with top media!

I know that some are itching to see George partnering with brands/companies outside of the Mercedes sponsor list. Some might also think that continuously partnering with the same 10 sponsors on the circle of the team's sponsor can be a sign of weakness. But I disagree. Why? Because these "partnering with the same ol' 10 fellas" move is actually something that is called BUILDING TRUST, EQUITY, AND LOYALTY. The more trust George and these team sponsors have the more George is going to be pushed by them and the more other brands are going to notice his marketability and try to snatch him for competitions. More trust can also result in the brand including George to external non-F1 related sponsorship campaigns. This is a very positive one as it allows George to be naturally introduced to a new market, gain more fans, more marketability and engagement, and eventually? the general public and other brands' attention

Here, i'm going to make an example out of George and his campaigns with Puma.

In March 2022, George became a Brand Ambassador of Puma.

From here, he does a lot of schedules for Puma, but only motorsport related.

We all know George's 2022 campaign was positive, allowing him to gain popularity through his success. Puma starts pushing him to another market. Puma Football. He attends the 2022/2023 UEFA Champions League

Let's use our logic but not the "george never watch football live" logic. Let's make it make sense and have a certain significance in it.

If George was not invited by Puma, he wouldn't have worn that fancy suit and have his father and brother all suited up too and walk down the blue carpet, and get interviewed by several football media. Like why the hassle? He was obviously invited.

By who? PUMA. Why? Because one of the finalists of the 22/23 Champions League, Manchester City is sponsored by none other than Puma! And one of Manchester City's player, Jack Grealish is a Puma ambassador. Hence, why we got a picture of George with Jack posted.

Moving on from the Champions League and onto the present timeline, Puma releases a new football boot in collaboration with F1 technology, Puma Ultra 5 Carbon

George was on the promotional line up alongside ManCity's Bobb, Liverpool's Gakpo, AC Milan's Pulisic, Barça Femeni's Rolfo, and Bayern's Coman.

He was the only F1 driver featured in Puma Football posts doing videos about the boots. I'm taking three as an example

Back to the question, why is this relevant? Notice how in Coman's video, George was the most mentioned name in the questions they ask to Coman. This is actually a soft marketing to introduce the name George Russell through repetition from a video to a new market that is the football fans whose faves are wearing Puma's team kit, is an ambassador of Puma, is a fan of Kingsley Coman/FC Bayern München, and general football fans. He is an F1 driver whose videos are featured in a football brand page. Who follows the brand? Football fans of course.

If you still don't get it, Puma basically started off with George as an ambassador to Puma in the Motorsport division specifically. But as time went on and his F1 campaign in 2022 went well which impacts his popularity, Puma starts to think of using George as a "bridge" connecting Puma Football and Puma Motorsport. First, they subtly partner him with Manchester City through the UCL invite and through the link up with their ambassador, Jack Grealish. Next? They are including him in the promotional line up of a football boot launch which includes several other notable names in football. And that's how Puma used George as their go-to guy to link up their F1 and Football business. Maybe one day, George can get the invitation to other Puma partners' football matches. Could be Borussia Dortmund, Al Hilal, AC Milan, and others.

You see how these link ups work slowly but surely as George builds trust, loyalty, and connection to the brand? Yes. That is what is more important than linking up with as many brands as possible but developing 0 loyalty and 0 relationships with them. It makes you weak, vulnerable, and replaceable. One's image could fade if they continue doing that. Because it portrays them as someone with zero sense of personality and loyalty. That is what is important.

And this is something I hope people do not get pessimistic over the fact that "oh no George is only partnering with team sponsors!". No Miranda No. These sponsors have branches everywhere. Puma has branches. Tommy is under PVH who also has Calvin Klein as their sister company. Ritz Carlton and Marriott Bonvoy have sister hotel chains like St. Regis, BVLGARI, Westin, Sheraton, and many others. If George can build a good connection with these brands and those connections will eventually lead him to be trusted by parent companies, it would open his opportunities to bigger ones. And it could also be an advantage if he gets included in partnerships like how he is included in Puma Football partnerships. They can introduce him to a whole different market of fans just like Puma did him to football fans. It could be Hollywood or even the K-Pop industry and many more. And to add, collaborations with notable names in these respective industries can also create a halo effect for George in the eyes of those figures' fans. A good reputation could be built and they can get to know him, even if it's just his name or a curious search on who George Russell is.

Another important advantage to remember is that these good connections and well-built relationships can help George retain good relationships with these brands even if one day they stop sponsoring Mercedes. They can still employ him individually that way and it will be so beneficial for him.

Lastly, I just want to say again and again, please stop viewing the world from a dense point of view of "numbers". Numbers are not always an accurate portrayal of certain things. Those numbers needed to be interpreted too and have other aspects included in it. Big numbers don't always equal good numbers. I promise you, you will not want George to collaborate with 10 different brands and be someone with 0 personality and end up with 0 connection and relevance to any brand. A title of "brand ambassador" even if it's just ONE brand has more weight than just being an invited guest of random brands. A brand ambassador title gives you value. Allows you to become the muse of a certain campaign. Being a guest don't. It doesn't give you stability and longevity. It's better to maintain good and stable relationships with a small amount of brand rather than being someone of no importance and is just another replaceable figure to 100 brands.

The process of building these loyalty and trust is long but patience will be repaid when the time is right. George's current growth and his ongoing connection with all of Mercedes' sponsors are positive and promising. Maintaining that relationship and connection is the priority. What is not a priority is running to a marketing agency, asking them to create a fake artificial publicity, and asking them to plant you to a market. It is not sustainable and just because you see people get successful off it doesn't mean the same formula works on others. Yes, it does help you get popularity fast. But your popularity will fall as fast as it rises. Patience is the key.

[kingeorgey]

i have some new followers bc of my wwdits posting so here’s a little ‘about me’ post. i am a little tumblr inept so bear with me, i did try to format it somewhat! <3

basics—;

riley, 22 🕊️

she/her

american

mdni

more below!

fandom info—;

i’ve been a fangirl my whole life, starting with harry potter way back in 3rd grade. i’ve been through everything- one direction, 5sos, COD men, Marvel, every musical ever (especially les mis). i was a famous hamilton and deh fanfic writer in middle school, roleplayed for many many years, and still write fanfic once or twice a year.

my ao3, tiktok, and discord are all @/kingeorgey, but i’m also going to link them below, followed by a bit more about who i am personally.

—

links—;

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kingeorgey?_t=ZT-8rxBw7Uc0YU&_r=1

Ao3: https://archiveofourown.org/users/kingeorgey/profile

Discord: @Kingeorgey (not sure how to link it)

—

personal info—;

i’m riley, i’m 22, and i’m a good ol midwestern american girl. i grew up in rural michigan on a farm (more of a hobby farm than anything) as one of five children, am a lifelong theatre kid, and a forever fangirl. i don’t disclose what my job is specifically, but i have the most amazing job in the world and that’s usually what i’m busy with. i travel more than you could possibly imagine, especially to scotland and france- family in scotland, and work always sends me to france.

i’m queer, about to go back to school to finally finish one of my degrees, love diet dr pepper, and my favorite food is a red delicious apple. i started out studying accounting and theatre, then switched to history (focusing on Islamic studies) and communications when i left my initial college. then i left to focus on getting my job.

i collect vintage clothes with a focus on dresses- i attached a pic of two vintage outfits as proof;) and i’m on a bit of a fitness journey that is mostly cardio based- i have lost weight but it’s still something i’m working on maintaining long term.

hobbies include: theatre (last year i returned to the stage as cinderella in into the woods- first time since i graduated in 2020 that i was in a show, i hope to be in another soon!), traveling, writing fanfiction, riding horses, running / going on walks, singing, hanging out with my pets

a big something about me: i’m a queer Christian, and i don’t debate people on my own existence. if you are atheist, struggle with religion, whatever- i love you, i see you. you are not lesser than, and my journey with my religion has been very turbulent. i deconstructed when i was outed in middle school, due to pressure from homophobic Christians, and eventually came back and reconstructed. my beliefs are very tender and special to me, and if you’re ever struggling, even if we’ve never talked, feel free to vent or reach out. i will not try to ‘fix’ you or turn you ‘back to the light’ or any of that BS. your worth and goodness as a human is not dictated by being or not being a Christian. your experiences and existence are cherished, and valid, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

so. i believe that’s the big stuff! i don’t really know how to format a blog with tags and stuff but there is that. see you all around! please message me and send asks and stuff. i am a very open book and want friends :^)

here are some pics of me!

[yuujispinkhair]

Hey babe! I always like to share my HC's with you~

So, back in 2020 I saw this thing on tiktok called "Shifting" so, bet, I made my script but I kept changing it over and over again bc I wanted it to go according to the jjk manga, like a self insert. Then, I decided to change things and make it more of my own story.

Yn was a foreigner student, another Gojo's adopted child from one of his missions and one day he decided to bring yn to Japan to train her because it was so hard to train when you live so far away (plus he misses your baked sweets). So the day yn arrives to Japan, she takes the wrong bus and ends up in the wrong city, at the wrong time and place. But was it really wrong?

Yn ends up in front of a school, and looks at a pink haired boy with a yellow hoodie. They locked eyes and then she senses the cursed energy and dashes inside the school to help the dark haired, emo— and pretty as hell, sorcerer. Her own cursed technique was magic, like a witch. (Let's fast foward that scene.)

So, when Yuji eats the finger and Gojo arrives and blah, blahnik, blah, yn makes a spell to unbound Sukuna from Yuuji... and it doesn't work like she intended to. Yeah, she separated them, but kept them bound like attuned twins, but she accidentally bound herself to Sukuna as well, which he hated and wanted to kill her for it. And tried to, only to find out you actually got great combat skills and you could harm him without cursed energy. Making the king of curses begrudgingly obsessed with yn.

Sukuna ends up— forcibly and begrudgingly, as a Jujutsu teacher along with his now best friend and leech, Gojo Satoru. The bound Yuuji, Sukuna and yn shares forces him not to hurt you two, and the curse ends up liking the modern world.

Sukuna being the lowkey Tsundere he is, would follow yn everywhere, would make the training sessions longer, know all your favorite foods and places where you dissapear to. He is rough, insults you constantly, flicks your forehead when you get distracted, when you do something reckless, when you eat too much junk food because he cares— he cares so much and he hates it. He hates you and how he can't actually hate you. He hates how kind and warm you are to him, how you always want to know about his past and no matter how disgusting and atrocious his actions were, you don't judge him and say "I won't judge you from your past, we only have the present moment and so far, you've been nice, Sukuna." You say grinning and the king of curses flickers your forehead "dumb brat" he mumbles and dashes away so you can't see his furious blush. Sukuna, who enjoys your banters and constant insults, how feisty you are and how you're not afraid of him. Sukuna who lowkey loves when you touch him, even if it was a quick brush.

Sukuna who hates when yn hangs out too much with Gojo or Megumi, mostly when you left for missions with them. Sukuna who only tolerates Yuuji to be by your side because he knows what goes into his mind and you're just his twins best friend— both of you dumb with barely one brain cell together. Sukuna who is proud as fuck with your perfect grades and when the higher ups ascended you to first grade sorcerer. Sukuna who often tugs down the hem of your skirt because you're dragging too much attention, or he would walk behind you. Sukuna who is a gentleman. Sukuna who almost goes feral when the Kyoto school invited you to transfer schools. He hates Noritoshi Kamo since then.

Sukuna, who actually loves teaching and being a sorcerer again (and the big, fat paycheck that comes weekly.) Sukuna who is always looking foward to accompany you to missions even though he insults you all the way and acts like you're a nuisance. But deep down he is having a heart attack afraid of you getting hurt. Sukuna who actually feels dizzy when you stand in the middle of a puddle of blood from a curse you just killed. Your pretty uniform soaked in blood and shredded organs, but your beautiful smile bright as you held the head of a special grade curse, dangling it as you cheered "You saw that? I killed it! Next time it will be your ancient ass!" Yn chirped, and Sukuna had an inner turmoil, the worry of you being hurt and his stom fluttering with butterflies from the grotesque scene that was somehow endearing.

Sukuna who made sure you were save from injuries, sighing heavily in relief not realizing he wasn't breathing all this time. Sukuna who takes you to your favorite restaurant because you are a bottomless pit and need to be fed. Sukuna who never let's you pay but he acts annoyed about it. Sukuna who often tucks you to bed "I'm doing this because you're too dumb to do it yourself, woman."

Sukuna, who took a long time to even accept his feelings— let alone confess to you. Sukuna, who the first time he had sex with you, it was slow, gentle, almost as if he was worshipping you. No. He was worshipping you. How a pretty, small and kind creature like you could help him redeem himself (he is still an arrogant asshole though), how can he not worship you all night long? He can't help but whimper when he slides inside of yn, he never knew until that moment how lonely his life was, how much he craved to feel wanted, loved, accepted. And he realizes, how much he loves you.

You can use this if you liked it👀💖

AWWW RENEE, I LOVE THIS 💗💗😭😭 I adore it when Sukuna tries to act so tough and tries to convince himself he doesn't feel any affection for y/n, but he DOES care and he DOES fall in love and AAHH I am so weak for that 😭😭

Thank you so much for sharing this with me 💗💗

[myeagleobject]

BuzzFeedTrends Explains: Why These Viral Topics Are Capturing Global Attention

In the age of social media, where news travels at lightning speed, viral topics and trends dominate our digital landscape. From memes to political movements, the global attention these trends capture can spark conversations across continents. One platform that plays a significant role in identifying and analyzing viral content is BuzzFeedTrends. With its finger on the pulse of internet culture, BuzzFeedTrends delves into why certain topics go viral and what makes them so universally appealing.

The Power of Memes and Internet Humor

One of the primary catalysts for viral trends is the internet meme. These bite-sized pieces of content, often filled with humor, relatable moments, or absurdity, are designed to be easily shareable. BuzzFeedTrends explains that memes are powerful because they bridge cultural divides. A well-crafted meme can resonate with people across different countries, races, and languages. Memes often represent shared experiences, whether it’s a reaction to a global event or a funny observation about everyday life.

For example, the "Woman Yelling at a Cat" meme, which combines an image of a woman shouting with a confused cat sitting at a table, went viral in 2019. Its simplicity and versatility made it relatable to millions. Users adapted it to various situations, giving it new life in different contexts. This adaptability is a key reason why memes go viral – they can take on new meanings and remain relevant for extended periods.

Social Media as a Launchpad for Viral Topics

BuzzFeedTrends points out that social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are critical in propelling trends into the global spotlight. The algorithms behind these platforms are designed to amplify content that garners attention quickly, whether through likes, shares, or comments. This creates a feedback loop where viral topics get even more visibility the more they’re shared.

TikTok, in particular, has become a breeding ground for viral challenges, dances, and trends. BuzzFeedTrends highlights how the "Savage Love" dance challenge took over the app in 2020. As more users joined in, the challenge became a global phenomenon. TikTok's unique structure encourages viral content creation, as its format allows anyone to contribute, resulting in a collective sense of participation that transcends geographic and cultural boundaries.

The Role of Influencers and Celebrities

Influencers and celebrities play a pivotal role in shaping viral trends. BuzzFeedTrends discusses how famous personalities have the power to launch a trend into the global consciousness simply by sharing it with their followers. A tweet from a celebrity or a viral TikTok video from an influencer can skyrocket an obscure topic to viral status.

For example, when Elon Musk tweeted about the cryptocurrency Dogecoin in 2021, the digital currency saw a massive surge in value. Musk's tweet amplified the conversation around Dogecoin, sparking widespread interest and media coverage. Similarly, TikTok stars like Charli D’Amelio have a large enough following that their content can drive massive trends, from dance moves to fashion styles.

Political and Social Movements Going Viral

Viral topics aren’t always lighthearted or humorous. BuzzFeedTrends highlights the role of social media in sparking political and social movements. The Black Lives Matter movement, for example, gained worldwide momentum after the viral spread of videos showing police brutality. Social media platforms provided a space for collective organizing, raising awareness, and mobilizing protests.

Another example is the #MeToo movement, which went viral in 2017 after actress Alyssa Milano encouraged women to share their experiences with sexual harassment. The hashtag quickly spread globally, leading to real-world change in industries ranging from entertainment to politics. The viral spread of these movements shows how digital platforms can serve as powerful tools for advocacy, rallying people behind causes and sparking meaningful conversations.

The Impact of Global Events and Crises

Global events and crises often dominate the viral landscape, with news breaking and spreading quickly across social platforms. The COVID-19 pandemic is a prime example of how a global event can lead to widespread viral content. Memes, news updates, and personal stories about life during the pandemic took over social media, while people turned to online communities for support and humor during uncertain times.

In times of crisis, viral topics often serve as an outlet for collective grief, resilience, and solidarity. BuzzFeedTrends notes that viral trends that emerge from such events often reflect the ways in which people seek connection and understanding during periods of widespread uncertainty.

The Science Behind Virality

BuzzFeedTrends explores the psychology behind why certain topics go viral. One of the key elements is emotional engagement. Content that evokes strong emotional reactions—whether humor, anger, or inspiration—is more likely to be shared. This emotional connection creates a sense of urgency, driving people to engage with and share the content with their networks.

The use of familiar symbols, nostalgia, or popular culture references also contributes to the virality of certain topics. These elements tap into shared cultural knowledge, making the content immediately recognizable and easy to digest. People are naturally drawn to content that aligns with their experiences or interests, making viral topics more likely to spread through word of mouth.

Conclusion

BuzzFeedTrends offers valuable insights into why certain topics capture global attention. Whether it’s a funny meme, a social movement, or a viral challenge, these topics have the power to connect people across the globe. In an increasingly digital world, the ability to go viral has become an influential force that shapes the cultural zeitgeist, often in unexpected ways. By understanding the mechanics behind viral topics, we can better appreciate how our digital behavior shapes the way trends unfold.

[josephsimas1]

How Feeding America uses social media to spread awareness.

With the use of social media rising, non-profit organization Feeding America, needed to find ways to advertise and endorse their brand and message to the world to get more people involved.

Their purpose is to end hunger across America and give food to people and families in need. At first, they started out with food banks and local meal programs. However, since the rise of social media, Feeding America has used this opportunity to be able to do so much more to help others and promote their company.

At first, Feeding America started off pretty strong, but wasn’t doing well in comparison to its competitors such as World Central Kitchen (WCK). In 2020, Feeding America was growing on Twitter with it placing second in Share of Voice for Feeding America and Competitors. Feeding America was able to get 39% of the people’s voice while the first-place competitor, World Central kitchen managed to pull 42%.  They started their YouTube channel in April 2008, and their audience reach is much less with them only having 6.37K subscribers and their most popular video on the platform having 49K views and a channel total of 15.7 million views. On Twitter they have a much higher following since they joined the platform in October 2008, they’ve gained 450.2K followers. They also have a great following on both Instagram and Facebook with them having 164K followers on Instagram and 645K followers on Facebook.

I do think Feeding America has done a solid job with developing a following and supporters for its cause. However, there are some ways in which they can improve their marketing and reach to attract more people and get more people involved.  In the past they have often failed to reflect true engagement and influence on their organization’s mission. It’s been noticed that they rarely use hashtags in their posts, which is crucial in trying to get your content to reach a wider audience. They also have an inconsistent posting schedule meaning after a while, some of their followers may unfollow them due to the lack of content they’re showcasing about the organization and what they’re doing or their accomplishments. I believe Feeding America can use a few different strategies in order to improve their look on social media. They could reach out or contact popular influences on various platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok to make deals with them to promote their organization. This would work well because many influencers have a loyal fanbase and want to see whatever they post, so with influencers promoting Feeding America it will definitely help in growing more support for their cause. They also could focus more on actionable metrics, such as click-through rates which will help better reflect their success in driving donations and raising awareness.

Feeding America also has some metrics of their company after being on specific platforms for some time. One platform they’re very popular on is Facebook and they have an advanced metric which is conversion rate and a unique channel metric known as engagement rate. Facebook’s conversion rate is used to measure the percentage of users who take a desire action such as donating of sharing after engaging with a post. This helps assess the effectiveness of Feeding America’s campaigns. Facebook’s engagement rate includes features such as likes, comments, shares, and reactions. These indicate how well the content resonates with the audience and encourages interaction. Another platform where Feeding America is well-known is Twitter. Twitter has a unique behavioral metric which is tied to their retweet feature called retweet rate. This measures the percentage of tweets that are retweeted by the account’s followers. It shows how much their content is being shared and amplified by their audience. These metrics and growing strategies can help Feeding America better understand their social media performance and increase their audience and support to give their company a greater impact on the world.

Feeding America's History | Feeding America

The Power Of Purpose: How Feeding America Works With Brands To Tackle The Problem Of Hunger

Feeding America - YouTube

[thebibliosphere]

There are actually lots of people who sell stuff successfully on here, usually drop ship stuff.

They’re just not disclosing it as ads, which they are supposed to do, and instead it's marketed in a very Tumblr-esque way which can be summed up as “omg guys look how CUTE this is” followed by a different account underneath going “omg found it!!” and it links to a drop ship site with the item(s).

And the link usually has an affiliate tracker in it, which you may or may not be able to spot unless you’re familiar with them, which is also something you are legally supposed to disclose.

I used to get a lot of offers from around 2016-2020 to sell “moon lamps” on here, y’know those orb lights that look like a moon? Yeah. I was offered a higher kickback to make it look like I wasnt posting an add because these sellers know Tumblrites don’t like ads.

They wanted it to look as organic and hyped up as possible and then I’d just so happen to be like “omg you guys it's on sale” and post a link. Which is skeevy as shit and also illegal af in the US.

It’s like the insta/tiktok girlies saying “link in bio” to get around saying “here’s a product I make money on if you buy it” because they want to sound like your friend because people are more likely to impulse buy stuff if a “friend” is recommending something.

They’re also trusting that everyone knows “link in bio” means “affiliate link” which is technically not enough of a disclosure but whatever.

This is why I tag all my own book promos with “affiliate links” because depending on which storefront you buy Hunger Pangs from, I may get a kickback from the vender which I do to help mediate the fees I lose from distribution. It’s not much—literal pennies in some cases—but I’m still legally required to state it.

It’s also why when I do post products I use or like, I make a point of letting people know I’m not an affiliate and not sponsored because despite the legal ramifications these people are flirting with by not disclosing their affiliate status, I want to be fully transparent with my followers when it comes to me trying to sell them things.

Y’all keep my lights on by reading my work and through my ko-fi and patreon. I am not about to risk that trust for the sake of some shitty vibrator sales from a sketch-ass drop shipper who wants me to pretend I’m not selling you things.

So, yeah. People do successfully sell stuff on here. A lot of us small indie creators sell our own work all the time.

But there are also drop-ship sellers on here who get enough of a kick-back from affiliate links to make selling cutesy kitsch stuff worth their time on here. They’re just making sure you don’t know you’re being marketed to.

It never fails to amuse me when I get “hello influencer” emails wanting me to push questionable products to my followers.

Like worstie, I can barely promote my own published book without wanting to curl up and die.

The fuck makes you think I’ll shill your discount wish shit?

[stubborn-society]

Kam Theory: “everything that’s meant for me will come.”

Photo Credit: Kam Theory

Cheers, I apologize for being absent from my post. I’ve been busy af, then I got sick with covid for the first time. Take it easy on me, would you? 

I’m so excited to be back. Things have been steadily moving along here at Grapefruit HQ. Our house is growing, and given the state of western civilization, I think everyone is more or less happy. I feel booked and blessed. 

As is my style, I am bringing you fresh, new artists to keep your eyes and ears on before anyone else. I’m no paycheck patsy out here lazily sowing seeds for the machine. I’m just one woman, the boss, out here putting her BST in the game every day. Mark my words. This is a threat and a promise.

I’ve waited a long time to get this interview under my belt and it’s finally come to fruition I’m so stoked: 

Another Friend of Grapefruit - this is the lovely and gifted Kam Theory. I’ve put her 2020 single, The Process, on 5 playlists already. Check it out for yourself. 

Hi, Kam Theory! 

Hi! 

How’s it going?

It’s going haha.

First, in your own words, tell us who you are. 

I am an ATL-based artist and producer from Savannah, GA.

I love Atlanta, especially the artists from there. How long have you been making music for this project? Is there a story behind it? 

I’ve kinda always been making music for this project but I just didn’t know what I’d call myself at those earlier stages. I’m always aiming to discover and hone in on what exactly I'm doing and slowly but surely I'm finding my sound and as a result, a name that stuck came about. I don't exactly even recall why I chose it. Partially it was my nickname Kam that my friends started calling me to shorten Kamiah. And Theory I think just resonated with my personality, interests, and the subject matter of my music, haha.

I got my first project name from a joke someone made when I worked in a call center when I was 20 and had it for 15 years, there’s no rhyme or reason! So tell me more about your path as a musician and what got you to where you are now. 

My music journey started as a child, I instantly gravitated toward music. I showed interest in it from my earliest memories. Through elementary school I would bang on any keyboard I could get my hands on, I played violin in 5th grade (but quit sadly haha), and then picked up a guitar at 13. I kinda always had these fleeting moments with being able to learn or play because I didn't actually have an instrument that was mine (or could afford lessons) until my first keyboard and first guitar at 13/14. But from there I taught myself how to play guitar by learning songs I loved and by writing my own songs. Naturally, I wanted to record myself and my own creations, so that bred my love for production. At 14 or 15 I got my first USB mic and MIDI cord to connect my lil casio and begin teaching myself programs like Mixcraft and eventually Ableton Live. I spent many hours just creating and trial and error learning music to get where I am today with it.

That’s cool you started producing songs so early! Kids really didn’t have that kind of access to recording programs and all that comes with that when I was that age but it’s really cool to see. 

We started following each other on TikTok a few months ago; that’s where I discovered you are crazy talented. What made you decide to start promoting your music on TikTok?

Mostly being encouraged by people around me to post my music on the platform, because it can be a great tool for discovery. And it can just be fun! I’m not always as consistent with it as I should be but it’s definitely cool to connect with others as a result of posting.

I notice some artists are very aggressive with their promotion on the app and others prefer to take a much more organic, real-life approach to it and just put their work out there and let it reach who it reaches. What has it been like for you as an artist promoting their music on social media? 

It’s a good tool when I am consistent with it, but sometimes I find it draining if I find myself feeling like I have to create content to be seen or not drowned out by the algorithm. But overall it's helpful when I am intentional about it and just remember that everything that's meant for me will come.

Yeah for sure, it’s stressful to be on there trying to get a song to go viral; I kind of think that ship has sailed anyway (definitely for the better). But it’s such a great tool for connecting with people and building community. Do you use it to connect with other artists or creators on there?

I do find music there occasionally, from specific artists that I might discover down to accounts that actually make lists of artists/or songs to listen to.

Has TikTok been a good platform to build community and find other musicians?

I think it is or can be. Social media overall has the potential to be that. Just depends on who you meet, connect with, and how you plan to move based on that imo!

Totally. Musictok can be a very energizing place, especially now that things have chilled out and it’s not so much like The Hunger Games or something. But some people do still have that energy vampire vibe that’s annoying. Do you enjoy the other music content that you see? Do you think on TikTok the content matters more or the music? 

I do. I love to see artists/musicians play and discover new ones via the algorithm that I potentially wouldn't have otherwise. Usually, it’s the music but also I enjoy how an artist can kind of curate a short-form video to reach a wider audience. A good visual is satisfying too, but especially when it compliments the music that’s already happening!

I’ll be honest, I don’t think anyone has mastered the art of seamlessly merging their content with their music on TikTok yet. But it’s not shade, I guess that doesn’t necessarily have to be the goal. Besides, a lot of artists on TikTok are solo. You also write and play all the instruments, record, and produce everything yourself. How do you feel about that? Is it your preference?

 I think it has its pros and cons like with everything. I like not having to wait on anyone to get things done or made as a result of being solo. But I do miss collaboration when I've gone through a long period of time without it. And it's nice to have a creative control break when working with others because the work is spread out over multiple brains vs just one haha.

Yeah, I used to get weird about collaborating but when you are really vibing with someone it’s really hard to go back to juggling everything yourself. This is sort of a non-sequitur, but how do you feel about competition in the music industry? Do you feel affected by it?

I think competition tends to stem from competing for an opportunity as opposed to competing for the sake of it. Also competing for attention because attention can lead to such opportunities. But there’s more room in this now than ever before because of social media and the internet. So it’s just interesting to witness or experience. I think it can bring out the worst of some personalities tho haha.

ABSOLUTELY. I think if there’s anyone to compete with it’s the stories we tell ourselves that hold us back. 

Lately, there has been a lot of conversation around indie artists maintaining control and ownership over their music and working independently of a label. Do you have any personal thoughts on signing to a label? 

I kind of touched on this in the previous question without even knowing haha. It’s absolutely an important conversation. The industry can be predatory, so I'd say my hope is that every single artist has the ability to decide what works for them. I would hope that everyone makes informed decisions vs hastily made ones that they might regret later on or ones made in the face of deception. In a perfect world, all artists could pursue the career in music they desire without the aid of a label to eventually leech off the fruits of that labor. But on the flip side, that same aid gets you the resources to execute your vision to a higher degree. So it can be subjective. I personally know that I want to maintain ownership and control of my music so I will move accordingly.

I respect that, and I think it means a lot to certain fans these days, too. But as you mentioned, there are a lot of great labels that are run by people with good taste who truly want to help artists, too. I think staying open to the right opportunities always helps the artist. So, what does the end game look like for you right now? What are your most immediate goals? 

Definitely building a platform to get my music heard and connect to more people. And to create more opportunities for myself in music as a result of that, so yes, playing more live shows and finding more collaborators. I really don’t know if I’m seeking a label or ever will be because I would like to keep my autonomy, haha. But as I continue to learn more about the industry and business aspect of music maybe that will change, who knows. I’m kind of going with the flow right now but I would like to continue down this path and just grow organically.

I’m all about organic growth, I think it serves the artists best. Another non sequitur, but I really want your perspective. How do you feel about the expanding space for black artists and black music right now? Does it inspire you to witness and participate in the shifting of people’s perception of what Black music is? 

I love that the perception is changing surrounding the expanding space for black artists. And the reason I say perception is because, to me, black artists created many if not all of the genres many other artists take credit for so this was ours to begin with! It absolutely inspires me because while marketing is important and influences so much, I think social media has given black artists back the power to create space for whatever we want to do. We can create our own lanes. 

We absolutely can. Personally, I think TikTok has been a great platform to bring greater visibility to Black alternative artists. Would you agree it’s more instrumental to this than other platforms? 

I would say yes! All of the algorithms have their bias (we know this for sure) but the main thing I like about tiktok’s algorithm is that it seems to really tailor itself to its specific audience and as a result, we can uplift our own people more. I love that.

For sure. I love the music community, seeing artists’ creativity and the way people engage each other on topics there. So…here’s a prompt for you. What are two of your favorite albums that you consider polar opposites?

This is such a good and hard question haha. I’d say The Beauty In Distortion by J*Davey and Homogenic by Bjork. The reason I say this is because while both albums are beat-centric and make use of distortion at times, the end result was so different. Another pairing imma list is Girl In The Half Pearl by Liv.e and Strange Mercy by St. Vincent. I love these albums and both have a melancholic vibe but in different ways. The music nerd in me wants to point out how both of them are from Dallas, Tx haha.

I still haven’t listened to Liv.e. I keep hearing she is amazing, I really need to get it together. So with artists releasing singles and really taking their time to release a full album now, I have to ask - especially younger artists - what do you prefer more, full albums or singles/playlists?

I love full albums to the core. I love the concept of bringing to life a whole project with such an intention and tying something together like that. And the way an entire album can become like a capsule of a certain time over a collection of songs as opposed to one. The rollout, the aesthetic, the concept/theme, the sonic choices that tie everything together is just the most satisfying thing. And to experience it the way the artist intended. I love it. (Singles/playlists are great too tho! haha)

I agree so much. I love it. I accept other answers, but I love this answer.

Your content is really fun to watch because you’re wholesome yet so confident! I can tell you really love guitar and the process of constructing songs. Do you draw a distinction between the songwriting process and production or are the lines more blurry? 

Thank you, haha. It took and is still taking a long way to exude confidence in it so I appreciate that. I would say it's more blurry for me because I tend to do both interchangeably. When I write it's not just about the song structure and content but I usually also have an idea of how I want it to sound once it's clearly conceptualized in my head and I'm trying to get it out and recorded. So for example, I might write a lyric and a melody but I also hear that it HAS to have this kind of delay on it or it doesn't feel complete haha. If that makes sense.

It makes perfect sense. That’s part of why I think the recorded medium really adds to the experience of songwriting. You have that control, but a responsibility not to exhaust yourself or exhaust the song. Do you believe in the concept of a magnum opus? Do you think people can strive for it or do you think it just happens?  

I think it’s subjective. But in the case of it happening, I tend to believe it just happens, and the best way it happens is when an artist has grown into themselves and found a sound that is THEM. I’ve thought about this in terms of when an artist self-titles an album. They believed after however many projects they previously put out that this one embodied THEM fully. Yet, that could still not be the album of theirs that is considered magnum opus to listeners haha.  

Haha, true! True. When I was a kid a self-titled album used to really bother me and I think maybe that had something to do with why but I never articulated it. Or I just thought they were lazy. I don’t know. 

So here’s a wild card question. Do you believe in reincarnation? 

Yes. Energy just recycles and we are energetic beings having a human experience.

Me too. I really hope next time I get to be something other than human. How much do you feel like you infuse your life philosophies into your songwriting? 

A lot haha. I’m very interested in the metaphysical and spiritual. And it’s just natural to sneak in those existential concepts when that’s what all of this is haha. Art and creation fragment themselves and are imitating and experiencing themselves. Ourselves!

I’m definitely a sucker for artists who do this, probably because I vibe with it pretty deep myself. So What’s on deck in 2023 for Kam Theory? What are you looking forward to? What can your new fans look forward to?  

I definitely have goals in mind for this year musically but they are also dependent on my personal life goals at the moment haha. I definitely will just be taking opportunities as they present themselves and making more of them. But if all goes well I'll be performing more and collaborating more, and I'll finally release a project as opposed to just singles. Let's hope for and manifest the best! :)

WE HERE HOPE FOR AND MANIFEST THE BEST FOR KAM THEORY <3

(Originally published on beastsunltd.com March 8th, 2023)

[ear-worthy]

Drew Afualo Audiobook & Season Two Of "Two Cool Moms" Podcast Debuts

Drew Afualo Audiobook offering

 Here's an interesting confluence of podcasting and audiobooks.

As of July 30, Loud: Accept Nothing Less Than the Life You Deserve by Drew Afualo is available on Spotify as part of Spotify’s Audiobooks Premium offering, which gives eligible listeners 15 hours of monthly listeners to a catalog of 250,000+ audiobooks as part of their existing Spotify Premium subscription. The audiobook is both read and narrated by Afualo.

Spotify announces: "Host and star of Spotify's The Comment Section, Drew Afualo, presents an empowering, inspiring, patriarchy-smashing first book."

Loud is part manual, part manifesto, and part memoir. It makes it clear that behind her fearsome laugh is a mission and a life philosophy, a strategy for self-confidence from the inside out, and a pathway to once and for all remove men from the center of how women and femmes think about themselves.

Afualo has amassed more than nine million followers across her social platforms. When she first started creating content in 2020, she realized that men on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and other apps were creating sexist content aimed at disparaging women, and also containing rampant fatphobia, racism, and other forms of bigotry, with very real-life consequences. It didn’t take long for her to step into the role of unofficial watchdog for misogyny, and her signature laugh is now recognized as a feminist call to arms, a summoning cry to rid the internet (and our hearts, minds, and lives) of “terrible men” and create a space to fight outdated patriarchal ideals.

The line between a podcast and audiobook is already thin. Now, it's blurred even more. That's a good thing, offering listeners of both formats more options.

***************************************************

Two Cool Moms podcast releases second season

Two Cool Moms, the podcast from comedians Joe Gatto (“Impractical Jokers,” “The Misery Index”) and Steve Byrne (“Sullivan &amp; Son”), returned for its second season on August 6. The podcast will join iHeartMedia and Premiere Networks’ Elvis Duran Podcast Network.  

The iHeart elevator pitch for the podcast is: "Comedians Joe Gatto and Steve Byrne have always been the advice givers inside their friend groups, believing it’s the direct result of one thing: cool moms. Throughout their lives, each had a strong, opinionated mother who gave great advice, and the guys believe they have inherited that gene.

In each episode of Two Cool Moms, after discussing whatever is on their minds, Gatto and Byrne get into helping fans who submit their dilemmas by dispensing sage motherly advice—sometimes good, sometimes not, but always entertaining.

“This podcast has been such a fun and exciting way to entertain,” says Gatto. “Steve and I had been looking for a way to work together for years, and to have this show and be part of such an amazing organization at iHeart has me so excited. Not to mention to pay tribute to my mother, who was always in my corner every step of the way.”

“This podcast is such a fun and heartwarming way to explore the many complicated issues that life brings us,” adds Byrne. “I’m proud of the community Joe and I have built over the last year with Two Cool Moms, and to be under the umbrella of iHeart is a truly inspiring opportunity. I can’t wait to hit the airwaves with one of the kindest and funniest talents in comedy.”

Both Gatto and Byrne are on tour throughout the year,

Joe Gatto is a comedian best known from the hit TV shows “Impractical Jokers” and “The Misery Index.” Most recently, he toured for two years with his stand-up solo show “Joe Gatto’s Night of Comedy” in sold out theaters across the United States, Canada and Australia. Prior to that, he has toured with the Jokers live comedy show to sold-out crowds across the world, including legendary arenas, such as Madison Square Garden in New York and the O2 Arena in London.

Gatto is passionate about supporting anti-bullying organizations and animal rescue initiatives. He happily advocates for the “Adopt, Don’t Shop” movement with his non-profit Gatto Pups and Friends, founded in 2022, which operates on Long Island, NY focusing on mainly senior and unwanted dogs.

Stand-up comedy veteran Steve Byrne has done multiple stand-up comedy specials—including his latest, an homage to late-night talk shows streaming now at Amazon Prime called “The Last Late Night”—to “Sullivan & Son,” his own sitcom that aired on TBS for three seasons, to writing/directing his own feature film, the indie success The Opening Act about his early years in stand up, he has always continued to tour and work on new material. He’s currently gearing up to direct his next film about one of the longest losing streaks in sports, and he’s working on the material that will be his seventh stand-up special.

Check out Two Cool Moms. It's one of the better comedy/advice podcasts.

[newmusicradionetwork]

Griefcat Announce The Release Of Late Stage Capitalism Out April 19

Annie Nardolilli and Louisa Hall, the masterminds behind DC duo Griefcat, are set to release their brilliant album Late Stage Capitalism, April 19.  They’ve been compared to Flight of the Conchords, Tenacious D, Norwegian duo Ylvis, and Garfunkel and Oates by fans but Griefcat brings their own unique voice to the genre. The nine tracks on Late Stage Capitalism range from flat out hilarious to unexpectedly thought provoking, each with a unique sound, beautifully blended harmonies, and brilliant lyrics all with an unpredictable twist.  The musicianship stands out on its own too; traditional instruments abound but you will also hear slide guitar, ukulele, trumpet, trombone, violin, and cello peppered throughout the album. Says the duo, “We are overjoyed to finally share these songs with the world! We’ve been working on this album since 2020, and it has been a labor of love to bring our full vision to fruition.” Late Stage Capitalism explores how unbridled capitalism has invaded every facet of modern life, from workplace politics to interpersonal relationships, and even our most private moments. They came up with the title in early 2020 when they wrote arguably their most well-known song on the album to date, “Revolution (Poop At Work),” a song about how even the smallest acts of defiance can be revolutionary, catapulted the duo to viral infamy and a strong following with over 25 million organic views of their videos, more than 15 million of those views for that song alone.  Even Questlovecommented on the song, saying “LOL I feel seen, I see my version as a political act.”  They’ve also received likes from SZA and actor Alan Tudyk for their posts, among others. Other songs on the album include “I Just Want To Get Inside (Your Bank Account),” an unanticipated, ‘90s-style love song with a hilarious contradiction between two women looking for two different things when it comes to a new relationship.  Are they looking for love or money? It also shines a light on dating culture and how much sensitive personal information we share online every day.  “Crytpobro” is a traditional country tune with all the makings of a hit song.  It’s a melodic, catchy, and current, and a breakup song about losing love, in this case to the cult of Cryptocurrency and the church of Elon Musk.  The opening track, “Benevolent Billionaire,” featuring standout vocalist Jarreau Williams along with many of DC’s brightest musical talent, is loosely based on ‘80s supergroup charity singles like “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” and “We are the World.”  “Love The Sinner” was written while Annie was working as a deputy sheriff and was inspired by two narrow-minded coworkers she didn’t get along with. All these songs would never have existed if it weren’t for the mind melding of the opposites attract duo.  Annie, from Arlington, VA is a Mormon and former sheriff’s deputy while Louisa, from Alexandria, VA (now lives in Reston VA), is a long-time lapsed Catholic and a career tech employee.  That dichotomy in perspectives has been the key to the duo’s success both in songwriting and in their friendship.  They met at a DC-based variety show and were the only musicians in a group of comedians performing that night. They scheduled their first rehearsal, wrote a song about vaccines and egg rolls, and the rest is (recent) history. Now, with Late Stage Capitalism, Griefcat has all the potential to be more than just a musical act.  With each live show, they invite their audience to step inside their world, creating a fun and exciting atmosphere that becomes a universally shared experience for all.  Tour dates are listed below, more to be announced soon. Griefcat Tour Dates: Feb 08 – Pearl Street Warehouse, Washington, DC Feb 29 – Jammin Java, Vienna, VA Mar 16 – The Pocket, Washington City, DC Mar 21 – The Heist, Bowling Green, VA Griefcat Website Instagram TikTok Spotify YouTube Facebook #  #  # Read the full article

[warningsine]

Hollywood writers and actors recently proved that they could go toe-to-toe with powerful media conglomerates. After going on strike in the summer of 2023, they secured better pay, more transparency from streaming services and safeguards from having their work exploited or replaced by artificial intelligence.

But the future of entertainment extends well beyond Hollywood. Social media creators – otherwise known as influencers, YouTubers, TikTokers, vloggers and live streamers – entertain and inform a vast portion of the planet.

For the past decade, we’ve mapped the contours and dimensions of the global social media entertainment industry. Unlike their Hollywood counterparts, these creators struggle to be seen as entertainers worthy of basic labor protections.

Platform policies and government regulations have proved capricious or neglectful. Meanwhile, creators’ bottom-up initiatives to collectively organize have sputtered.

Living on the edge

Industry estimates regarding the size and scale of the creator economy vary. But Citibank estimates there are over 120 million creators, and an April 2023 Goldman Sachs report predicted that the creator economy would double in size, from US$250 billion to $500 billion, by 2027.

According to Forbes, the “Top 50 Creators” altogether have 2.6 billion followers and have hauled in an estimated $700 million in earnings. The list includes MrBeast, who performs stunts and records giveaways, and makeup artist-cum-true crime podcaster Bailey Sarian.

The windfalls earned by these social media stars are the exception, not the norm.

The venture capitalist firm SignalFire estimates that less than 4% of creators make over $100,000 a year, although YouTube-funded research points to a rising middle class of creators who are able to sustain careers with relatively modest followings.

These are the users who find themselves most vulnerable to opaque changes to platform policies and algorithms.

Platforms like to “move fast and break things,” to use Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg’s infamous expression. And since the creator economy relies on social media platforms to reach audiences, creators’ livelihoods are subject to rapid, iterative changes in platforms’ features, services and agreements.

Yes, various platforms have introduced business opportunities for creators, such as YouTube’s advertising partnership feature or Twitch’s virtual goods store. However, the platforms’ terms of use can flip on a switch. For example, in September 2022, Twitch changed its fee structure. Some streamers who were retaining 70% of all subscription revenue generated from their accounts saw this proportion drop to 50%.

In 2020, TikTok, facing rising competition from YouTube Shorts and Instagram reels, launched its billion-dollar Creator Fund. The fund was supposed to allow creators to get directly paid for their content. Instead, creators complained that every 1,000 views only translated to a few cents. TikTok suspended the fund in November 2023.

Bias as a feature, not a bug

The livelihoods of many fashion, beauty, fitness and food creators depend on deals brokered with brands that want these influencers to promote goods or services to their followers.

Yet throughout the creator economy, people of color and those identifying as LGBTQ+ have encountered bias. Unequal and unfair compensation from brands is a recurring issue, with one 2021 report revealing a pay gap of roughly 30% between white creators and creators of color.

Along with brand biases, platforms can exacerbate systemic bias. Creator scholar Sophie Bishop has demonstrated how nontransparent algorithms can categorize “desirability” among influencers along lines of race, gender, class and sexual orientation.

Then there’s what creator scholar Zoë Glatt calls the “intimacy triple bind”: Marginalized creators are at higher risk of trolling and harassment, they secure lower fees for advertising, and they are expected to divulge more personal details to generate more engagement and revenue.

Couple these precarious conditions with the whims and caprices of volatile online communities that can turn beloved creators into villains in the blink of a text or post, and even the world’s most successful creators live on a precipice of losing their livelihoods.

Rumblings of solidarity

Unlike their counterparts in the legacy media industries, creators have neither taken easily nor well to collective action as they operate from their bedrooms and fight for more eyeballs.

Yet some members of this creator class recognize that the bedroom-boardroom power imbalance is a bottom line matter that requires bottom-up initiative.

The Creators Guild of America, or CGA, which launched in August 2023, is but one of many successors to the original Internet Creators’ Guild, which folded in 2019. Paradoxically, CGA describes itself as a “professional service organization,” not a labor union, yet claims to offer benefits “similar to those offered by unions.”

There are other movements afoot: A group of TikTok creators formed a Discord group in September 2022 to discuss unionizing. There’s also the Twitch Unity Guild, a program launched in December 2022 for networking, development and celebration and includes a dedicated Discord space. In response to the rampant bias in influencer marketing, creator-led firms like “F–k You Pay Me ” are demanding greater fairness, transparency and accountability from brands and advertisers.

Twitch streamers are already seeing some of their organizing efforts pay off. In June 2023, after a year of repeated changes in streamer fees and brand deals, the company capitulated in response to the backlash of their top streamers threatening to leave.

None of these initiatives has yet attained the legal status of unions such as the Writers Guild of America. Meanwhile, efforts by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists to recruit creators have proved limited. Legal scholar Sara Shiffman has written about how SAG-AFTRA provides creators with health and retirement benefits, but offers no resources to ensure fair and equitable compensation from platforms or advertisers. Nonetheless, while on strike, SAG-AFTRA threatened creators that partnered with studios with a lifetime ban from joining the union.

And despite these bottom-up efforts, the tech behemoths refuse to recognize creators’ fledgling organizations. When a union for YouTubers formed in Germany in 2018, YouTube refused to negotiate with it. Nonetheless, you’ll see companies trot out their biggest stars when they find themselves under regulatory scrutiny. That’s what happened when TikTok sponsored creators to lobby politicians who were debating banning the platform.

An invisible class of labor

Meanwhile, most governments have failed to provide support for – or even recognition of – creator rights.

Within the U.S., creators “barely exist” in official records, as technology reporters Drew Harwell and Taylor Lorenz recently pointed out in The Washington Post. The U.S. Census Bureau makes no mention of social media as a profession; it is invisible as a distinctive class of labor.

To date, the Federal Trade Commission is the only U.S. agency to introduce regulation tied to the work of creators, and it’s limited to disclosure guidelines for advertising and sponsored content.

Even as the European Union has operated at the forefront of tech and platform policy, creators rate scant mention in the body’s laws. Writing about the EU’s 2022 Digital Services Act, legal scholars Bram Duivendvoorde and Catalina Goanta criticize the EU for leaving “influencer marketing out of the material scope of its specific rules,” a blind spot that they describe as “one of its main pitfalls.”

The success of the 2023 Hollywood strikes could be just the beginning of a larger global movement for creator rights. But in order for this new class of creators to access the full breadth of their economic and human rights – to borrow from the movie “Jaws” – we’re gonna need a bigger boat.

[flareai]

Lost & Found: The flareAI Backstory

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The biggest strategy that worked for us is to get traffic and sales from Google Search and many other free (organic) sales channels. 

In 2020, only a small percentage of our 100,000 products were found by costumers searching on Google. The majority were lost in Google. 

We created flareAI to solve this problem for ourselves, and quickly pivoted the growth from majority ads-led growth, to majority organic growth. 

Paid ads or paid marketplaces is like renting a place, whereas organic opportunities are like owning a property. Just like for a rental, paid channels does not allow you to build your equity wealth, also every year it will continue to cost more. 

On the other hand, organic growth, once you know how to tap into it, it is a gift that can keep on giving. 

Every product or collections page that gets found by customers searching, can generate a profitable lift in revenue. 

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[zdeng777]

New App Alert-- Lemon8

New App Alert– Lemon8

While Shou was testifying at the US Congress and helping Tiktok prevent a possible ban, another ByteDance app was gaining public attention. Social Media Today reported that ByteDance is already working on consolidating its American presence with the new Lemon8 app climbing up the App Store Charts. 

Lemon8 is like a hybrid of Instagram and Twitter. It described its purpose as a “place for young creatives to share a diversity of content.” Lemon8 is a replica of the popular Chinese photo-based lifestyle content-sharing platform “Red”(Xiaohongshu). Lemon8’s main feed was divided into a “following” and a “For You” page just like Tiktok. Users can sort content categories like beauty, fashion, and food. Just like Instagram’s Explore page, Lemon8 organizes content by hashtags and ranks trending content. (Insider)

Although it seems like this app has just emerged, it has actually been available since March 2020, and it is already popular in Asian countries. However, it has just gained recognition in the US recently. Lemon8 reached the top 10 for overall app downloads over the last week. (Social Media Today) This phenomenon was unusual according to TechCrunch. TechCrunch noted that before March 27th, Lemon8 had never ranked in the Top 200 Overall Charts in the U.S.. However, on March 28th, 2023, it ranked No. 9 on the App Store’s Top Apps chart, excluding games. This jump is considered dramatic for a little-known app; TechCrunch inferred that Lemon8used paid user acquisition to power this leap. 

It seems like right now is a bad time to push Lemon8 in the US market. ByteDance’s signature app Tiktok is so controversial currently, and it can possibly be banned in the US and other countries. Nevertheless, Social Media Today reasoned that Lemon8 can be viewed as a backup plan for ByteDance– if Tiktok was banned in the US, the company can still use Lemon8 as a connection in the region. It is also possible that this new platform is a solution to Tiktok’s problematic creator pay model. Contradicting how hard it is to incorporate ads into short videos, Lemon8’s format allows creators to elaborate more in the lengthy caption box. Influencers could get paid a commission on sales generated by their posts. (372 words)