TikTok is gonna be banned soon. There's TH-cam shorts, insta reels (horrible audience) maybe Fanbase which is up and coming and hopefully Neptune later.
Your long form content is so helpful and provides a much needed discourse on consumerism; no need for short form content! I think short form content oversimplifies and eliminates context for things which are said, which is so important in trying to convey more complex and nuanced ideas.
i enjoy the introspection in buying habits which can be difficult in short form. i never thought of the gift guide as a way to absolve some personal blame in case the receiver doesn't like our gift. As you said-- we have to really know the person and what they value. if they don't value a trendy item, it's our shortcoming of not knowing them on a personal level. I've been trying to give more practical gifts, experiential gifts, or monetary gifts lately because i fall into the trap of buying what i want for them or what i want them to want rather than what they've expressed. my partner finds it unromantic when i tell them exactly what it is they should get me, but it's more sustainable and no hurt feelings!
Also wanted to say as a fellow half asian/ half caucasian who grew up in a rural small town that had 0% racial and cultural diversity, I completely empathize with your stories about what it was like for you growing up. I'm so sorry you had to deal with those bullies growing up; they were never right in the negative, spiteful narratives they told and it's great to see that you are thriving and are on a journey of personal growth regardless of how rotten those kids were! Love that you didn't let them have a lasting impact on your life and your state of mind:)
I love your videos, I'm an Anthropologist, and I feel like your content is Anthropological and the way you study the world is from an Anthropological lens, I absolutely love it.
When I lived in New York I remember seeing all the ads in the Times for luxury products (hundred maybe thousands of dollars!) and wondering who those ads were targeting? No one that I knew!
I personally feel the best part about giving a gift is when you give something that shows you know the person. Even if it’s small or not trendy but something that kind of says, “I see you.” Those are the gifts I enjoy. I actually don’t like when people give me gift for the most part because they are usually something the person liked themselves. Not saying I don’t appreciate them or enjoy them but sometimes it’s another thing I now have to keep or else I feel like a jerk.
First, as a former violin student it’s very lovely hearing a professional play! It’s on another level compared to high school orchestra for sure 😊 Wow that was an awful experience! I remember being more insecure in middle and high school but maybe I was just more easily influenced, and peers being more immature in what they say out loud.
there is not enough short form content in this space but i also don't prefer short form 😂 i think short-form will be great to grow the channel and gain exposure. your existing audience likes what you're doing already ❤
Very interesting video 👌 We have a secret Santa at work, but we are not drawing a name first, we have to prepare a gift without knowing for whom it will be. It's the first year for me, I'm not used to secret Santas, and as a neurodivergent, I have often been told that my gifts were weird and did not please other people, so I looked for gift guides. I searched for useful, sustainable, ethical gifts. All the guides I have seen that are supposed to suggest useful and sustainable things, they mainly present useless stuff. So I will go with my weird ideas, in hope that the person who will receive it enjoys it 🤷♀️ The thing with gifts is that there is no universal preferences. For example, my mom feels insulted if she is given soap, while I am super happy to receive soap. She hated a piece of clothing someone sawed for her, while I would have been delighted of someone had taken the time to saw something for me. And when you don't know the person, you have no way of knowing if they will be pleased or not, or if they will judge you. I guess we need to find a thoughtful gift, and be prepared to not care if the person who receives it doesn't enjoy it
Yes! I think your point about not being sure someone will like it is also what made me think that gift guides were useful, at first, but then I started thinking that if I don't know this person well enough to give a gift without using a guide, maybe it's impossible to be sure I'll get them a "good gift" in the first place. And like you said even the consumables like soap or nice chocolate might not actually be something someone can use or like! Super interesting about preparing the gift before choosing the name, I think I actually like that better since it removes some of the "pressure" to know the person!
Please make a video on being de-influenced from certain skin care and makeup products. I would be interested in you talking about the issue with chemicals in makeup!
That might be an interesting video - I have been thinking about this generally, and for me it is similar to the "issues" with ultra-processed food. It might not actually be harmful for humans, depending on who we ask...and in the case of "clean beauty" there have been misinterpreted or misrepresented studies, as I've now discovered. But, I still question whether I want to bring more "ingredients" into my life than necessary, even if they're safe to use. I guess it's becoming a more simplicity-oriented goal than a fear-based one, as it was kind of becoming for a moment there. It does feel like everywhere we turn, there are scary stories about how chemicals or non-organic food is harming us, how plastic tupperware leaches microplastics into our bodies, how beauty products are "endocrine disrupters"...and then we find out that many people spreading the stories have a sales pitch for some kind of alternative. So how do we stay grounded? Anyway, I'm sure this topic will come back up on this channel next year!
My daughter is also half Asian. She too had racist comments she has had to live with. Some of the worst were in college from other women. You are a beautiful lady, and more importantly a very talented one.
My siblings and I have decided to not give each other gifts (although my twin and I exchange gifts because it's fun) because it was always difficult to get each other stuff, and gift cards or cash just seems pointless because my brothers are much older and richer than us, and if ALL of us are giving cash... let's just keep it, lol. Just giving christmas gifts for the sake of it can be pointless. The families of my siblings' partners often do gift exchange games, which could be fun I guess but everything in a game like that has to be generic and universally liked. you can't exactly get a pair of XS pink zebra pants and throw in a white elephant game.
Oh trust me, there are always "the boys in middle school"...No one is really safe from that. I think when you are that age you think your personal possessions might protect you a little bit, but they really don't (it might even read as trying too hard). And at some point you don't care. Gift guides are interesting, but they certainly don't dictate anything. There was a quaint time when people made cookies, hot chocolate mixes, soaps and that kind of thing, but now that is fraught with danger. I think the older crowd still appreciates some of these things though.
Researched? Curated? Popular choices? That's nonsense. If only you knew how these lists are compiled! Marketing people send editors piles of pictures of their products, photographs made by marketing-photograpers who can make anything under the sun look desirable. The editors go by what colors and shapes look good grouped together, what makes a nice display across the page, what will grab your eye. They don't read statistics about what is popular. They want companies to invest in advertising in their medium in the future (or to continue to buy advertising space if they already do) so they do them this (purchasable) favor of placing their products in gift guides. That's all there is to it.
At around middle school I learned two useful sayings: " I'm rubber and your glue anything you say bounces off me and sticks to you!" And "Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me!" I realize that some harm IS done by bullying and name calling but really these just show up the perpetrator!
Okay but can SOMEONE explain to me the concept of 'coffee table books'? Like, the only books littering my house are the ones I'm reading but...i I understand correctly 'coffee table books' are...for aesthetic?
Haha well, I think in some cases they are also meant to be read, but, more importantly they're designed with the aesthetic in mind. I think the "fashion" books are a good example of this, where they have the "designer look" and can be some kind of a flex to have them on the shelf. Or, "the book that says something about the person who owns it based on its cover," basically...
It does sound a bit silly, but I liken it to how people like to choose art for their walls. Which is something to fill the space and nice to look at, may even have a personal meaning behind it. Like you said, you already have books to fill the space, but for a non-reader they don’t.
parabens being bad is misinformation unfortunately. a misread of the original study. i'm sorry the products you use on your body are causing you stress - i hope you do what feels best for you and your health!
Thank you for commenting this! Since I filmed these, I did find more info about how the chemicals in our products are safe to use, no evidence of harm, etc - but I guess what it did get me started on, is whether I want to actually use these kinds of products as much as I currently do in the first place. Kind of like the question about eating ultra-processed foods or not - if it's not actually necessary for me or doesn't improve the quality of my life in a significant way, maybe I'd rather avoid.
so many of the gift guides i clicked on are SO lazy and unoriginal. what happened to doing market research in your field? do "influencers" really not care about being indistinguishable from everyone else? smh 😂 the gift guide videos are weird these days. i think it's a thinly veiled excuse for the person to talk about their own wishlist. it would be interesting to think about what your gift recommendations say about you as a person...
NO!! Don’t bother with short form content!! I hate short form content!! I want more then just surface level stuff!!
Agreed.
TikTok is gonna be banned soon. There's TH-cam shorts, insta reels (horrible audience) maybe Fanbase which is up and coming and hopefully Neptune later.
Yay! Freedom from the idea that I "should" do shorts! haha
Your long form content is so helpful and provides a much needed discourse on consumerism; no need for short form content! I think short form content oversimplifies and eliminates context for things which are said, which is so important in trying to convey more complex and nuanced ideas.
i enjoy the introspection in buying habits which can be difficult in short form. i never thought of the gift guide as a way to absolve some personal blame in case the receiver doesn't like our gift. As you said-- we have to really know the person and what they value. if they don't value a trendy item, it's our shortcoming of not knowing them on a personal level. I've been trying to give more practical gifts, experiential gifts, or monetary gifts lately because i fall into the trap of buying what i want for them or what i want them to want rather than what they've expressed. my partner finds it unromantic when i tell them exactly what it is they should get me, but it's more sustainable and no hurt feelings!
Ooh that's a great insight about buying what you want, or what you want them to want!
Also wanted to say as a fellow half asian/ half caucasian who grew up in a rural small town that had 0% racial and cultural diversity, I completely empathize with your stories about what it was like for you growing up. I'm so sorry you had to deal with those bullies growing up; they were never right in the negative, spiteful narratives they told and it's great to see that you are thriving and are on a journey of personal growth regardless of how rotten those kids were! Love that you didn't let them have a lasting impact on your life and your state of mind:)
I love your videos, I'm an Anthropologist, and I feel like your content is Anthropological and the way you study the world is from an Anthropological lens, I absolutely love it.
When I lived in New York I remember seeing all the ads in the Times for luxury products (hundred maybe thousands of dollars!) and wondering who those ads were targeting? No one that I knew!
I personally feel the best part about giving a gift is when you give something that shows you know the person. Even if it’s small or not trendy but something that kind of says, “I see you.” Those are the gifts I enjoy. I actually don’t like when people give me gift for the most part because they are usually something the person liked themselves. Not saying I don’t appreciate them or enjoy them but sometimes it’s another thing I now have to keep or else I feel like a jerk.
I love your perspective, keep it up!
First, as a former violin student it’s very lovely hearing a professional play! It’s on another level compared to high school orchestra for sure 😊
Wow that was an awful experience! I remember being more insecure in middle and high school but maybe I was just more easily influenced, and peers being more immature in what they say out loud.
Hereeee for the longform content ONLY!!
there is not enough short form content in this space but i also don't prefer short form 😂 i think short-form will be great to grow the channel and gain exposure. your existing audience likes what you're doing already ❤
Very interesting video 👌
We have a secret Santa at work, but we are not drawing a name first, we have to prepare a gift without knowing for whom it will be. It's the first year for me, I'm not used to secret Santas, and as a neurodivergent, I have often been told that my gifts were weird and did not please other people, so I looked for gift guides. I searched for useful, sustainable, ethical gifts. All the guides I have seen that are supposed to suggest useful and sustainable things, they mainly present useless stuff. So I will go with my weird ideas, in hope that the person who will receive it enjoys it 🤷♀️
The thing with gifts is that there is no universal preferences. For example, my mom feels insulted if she is given soap, while I am super happy to receive soap. She hated a piece of clothing someone sawed for her, while I would have been delighted of someone had taken the time to saw something for me. And when you don't know the person, you have no way of knowing if they will be pleased or not, or if they will judge you. I guess we need to find a thoughtful gift, and be prepared to not care if the person who receives it doesn't enjoy it
Yes! I think your point about not being sure someone will like it is also what made me think that gift guides were useful, at first, but then I started thinking that if I don't know this person well enough to give a gift without using a guide, maybe it's impossible to be sure I'll get them a "good gift" in the first place. And like you said even the consumables like soap or nice chocolate might not actually be something someone can use or like!
Super interesting about preparing the gift before choosing the name, I think I actually like that better since it removes some of the "pressure" to know the person!
Please make a video on being de-influenced from certain skin care and makeup products. I would be interested in you talking about the issue with chemicals in makeup!
That might be an interesting video - I have been thinking about this generally, and for me it is similar to the "issues" with ultra-processed food. It might not actually be harmful for humans, depending on who we ask...and in the case of "clean beauty" there have been misinterpreted or misrepresented studies, as I've now discovered.
But, I still question whether I want to bring more "ingredients" into my life than necessary, even if they're safe to use. I guess it's becoming a more simplicity-oriented goal than a fear-based one, as it was kind of becoming for a moment there. It does feel like everywhere we turn, there are scary stories about how chemicals or non-organic food is harming us, how plastic tupperware leaches microplastics into our bodies, how beauty products are "endocrine disrupters"...and then we find out that many people spreading the stories have a sales pitch for some kind of alternative. So how do we stay grounded?
Anyway, I'm sure this topic will come back up on this channel next year!
I enjoy a gift guide just as a different point of view. But I do see a lot of influencers listing the same products. Especially on amazon
My daughter is also half Asian. She too had racist comments she has had to live with. Some of the worst were in college from other women. You are a beautiful lady, and more importantly a very talented one.
Sorry your daughter had to deal with this too, and especially in college when you'd hope people would know better!
My siblings and I have decided to not give each other gifts (although my twin and I exchange gifts because it's fun) because it was always difficult to get each other stuff, and gift cards or cash just seems pointless because my brothers are much older and richer than us, and if ALL of us are giving cash... let's just keep it, lol. Just giving christmas gifts for the sake of it can be pointless.
The families of my siblings' partners often do gift exchange games, which could be fun I guess but everything in a game like that has to be generic and universally liked. you can't exactly get a pair of XS pink zebra pants and throw in a white elephant game.
Oh trust me, there are always "the boys in middle school"...No one is really safe from that. I think when you are that age you think your personal possessions might protect you a little bit, but they really don't (it might even read as trying too hard). And at some point you don't care. Gift guides are interesting, but they certainly don't dictate anything. There was a quaint time when people made cookies, hot chocolate mixes, soaps and that kind of thing, but now that is fraught with danger. I think the older crowd still appreciates some of these things though.
Researched? Curated? Popular choices? That's nonsense. If only you knew how these lists are compiled! Marketing people send editors piles of pictures of their products, photographs made by marketing-photograpers who can make anything under the sun look desirable. The editors go by what colors and shapes look good grouped together, what makes a nice display across the page, what will grab your eye. They don't read statistics about what is popular. They want companies to invest in advertising in their medium in the future (or to continue to buy advertising space if they already do) so they do them this (purchasable) favor of placing their products in gift guides. That's all there is to it.
I'm sorry you had to put up with those comments in middle school. What a horrible thing to say.
At around middle school I learned two useful sayings: " I'm rubber and your glue anything you say bounces off me and sticks to you!" And "Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me!"
I realize that some harm IS done by bullying and name calling but really these just show up the perpetrator!
Okay but can SOMEONE explain to me the concept of 'coffee table books'? Like, the only books littering my house are the ones I'm reading but...i I understand correctly 'coffee table books' are...for aesthetic?
Haha well, I think in some cases they are also meant to be read, but, more importantly they're designed with the aesthetic in mind. I think the "fashion" books are a good example of this, where they have the "designer look" and can be some kind of a flex to have them on the shelf. Or, "the book that says something about the person who owns it based on its cover," basically...
@@Alexas.nobuyyear well.....if someone has ever tried to use that on me as a flex it would have gone straight over my head xD
It does sound a bit silly, but I liken it to how people like to choose art for their walls. Which is something to fill the space and nice to look at, may even have a personal meaning behind it. Like you said, you already have books to fill the space, but for a non-reader they don’t.
@@yalazha huh, makes sense when you put it like that I guess.
parabens being bad is misinformation unfortunately. a misread of the original study. i'm sorry the products you use on your body are causing you stress - i hope you do what feels best for you and your health!
Thank you for commenting this! Since I filmed these, I did find more info about how the chemicals in our products are safe to use, no evidence of harm, etc - but I guess what it did get me started on, is whether I want to actually use these kinds of products as much as I currently do in the first place.
Kind of like the question about eating ultra-processed foods or not - if it's not actually necessary for me or doesn't improve the quality of my life in a significant way, maybe I'd rather avoid.
so many of the gift guides i clicked on are SO lazy and unoriginal. what happened to doing market research in your field? do "influencers" really not care about being indistinguishable from everyone else? smh 😂 the gift guide videos are weird these days. i think it's a thinly veiled excuse for the person to talk about their own wishlist. it would be interesting to think about what your gift recommendations say about you as a person...
That's true, oftentimes it DOES seem to be a kind of personal wishlist for the creator!