tbh, the concept of tiktok-style videos is really good for science and small useful info bits.
the problem is that creators have to make money -> they optimize for the algorithm -> make trash
tbh, the concept of tiktok-style videos is really good for science and small useful info bits.
What? That’s… absurd.
I mean in the context of science, how is a tiktok style short video in any way superior to a longer form video? I mean there’s some really great science content on YouTube, vertasium, smarter every day, 3 blue 1 brown, minute physics, etc. But if you only watch a short snippet of video, what you’re cutting out is the entire scientific method, the part where they ask the questions, investigate, form a hypothesis, explain some experiments. Invariably, the short skips right to a conclusion, without any of the context. It’s like providing the right answer on math homework without showing your work, it’s functionally useless. It’s like science candy, it tastes great, but has zero nutritional value.
I can’t see any way to avoid concluding that YouTube shorts are terrible for science.
short-form content isn’t superior to long-form content or lectures, of course. however, it can be useful for explaining some ideas simply. for example, a quick visual video demonstrating a maths proof or a brief “what if” scenario can be effective. 3blue1brown, minutephysics, etc. also create some great short videos. it’s not a replacement for a lecture, but rather a brief intro / overview.
tbh, the concept of tiktok-style videos is really good for science and small useful info bits. the problem is that creators have to make money -> they optimize for the algorithm -> make trash
What? That’s… absurd.
I mean in the context of science, how is a tiktok style short video in any way superior to a longer form video? I mean there’s some really great science content on YouTube, vertasium, smarter every day, 3 blue 1 brown, minute physics, etc. But if you only watch a short snippet of video, what you’re cutting out is the entire scientific method, the part where they ask the questions, investigate, form a hypothesis, explain some experiments. Invariably, the short skips right to a conclusion, without any of the context. It’s like providing the right answer on math homework without showing your work, it’s functionally useless. It’s like science candy, it tastes great, but has zero nutritional value.
I can’t see any way to avoid concluding that YouTube shorts are terrible for science.
short-form content isn’t superior to long-form content or lectures, of course. however, it can be useful for explaining some ideas simply. for example, a quick visual video demonstrating a maths proof or a brief “what if” scenario can be effective. 3blue1brown, minutephysics, etc. also create some great short videos. it’s not a replacement for a lecture, but rather a brief intro / overview.