Latest news with #digitaltrends
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- BBC News
Why did our friends stop posting on social media?
After two decades of sharing more online, it looks like we've decided to share less. New polling shows that nearly a third of all social media users post less than they did a year ago. That trend is especially true for adults in Gen Z. In a recent essay for the New Yorker, writer Kyle Chayka suggested that society might be headed towards what he calls "posting zero": a point where regular people feel that it's not worth it to share their lives online. I've noticed this downward trend in my own social feeds. For every picture of a friend's vacation or of a colleague's children, there seem to be dozens (if not hundreds) of posts from brands and influencers promoting a new product or discussing the latest trend. Social media used to feel like an imperfect facsimile of my social life – but now, it feels more like "content". Some of this, I know, is because the platforms themselves have changed. TikTok and Instagram amassed endless troves of vertical videos and built eerily powerful algorithms to help guide you through them. But what happens to our digital lives when social media seemingly becomes much less social? I called Kyle to ask him more about it. He is a staff writer for the New Yorker and his latest book is Filterworld: How Algorithms Flattened Culture. You can watch – or read – more of our conversation below. Below is an excerpt from our conversation, which has been edited for length and clarity. Katty Kay: When I look at my social media feeds, they're full of ads and pictures of lovely houses that I will never buy in places I'll probably never even visit. But I'm literally trying to think of the last time I actually saw a post from a friend. What does it mean for the future of these platforms if our reason for going there now is totally different from what it was even a couple of years ago? Kyle Chayka: I think social media has become less social. It's more about just consuming this kind of highly commodified content. It's more about lifestyle aspiration, not just what's going on around you and how you are relating to your friends and family. To me, that kind of removes the purpose of social media. If the platforms are losing their grip on people's normal lives and normal people don't feel the incentive to post anymore, then social media becomes just like television. What we're left with then is the brand advertising and the fast fashion and the houses and the hotel advertisements – and that's just not the same kind of organic, highly textured stuff that we were used to. KK: The people that run these social media companies have the most sophisticated algorithms to hook us in. What's their response to this? Or are they just happy that there's more advertising so they're making more advertising revenue? KC: I think their main clients are the advertisers. So, as long as we the users are still engaging, their business model still works. I think they're also betting that the human-generated content will be replaced gradually with AI-generated content. You can see Meta already kind of moving the Facebook feed and the Instagram feed toward that kind of computer-generated stuff, which is obviously infinite and cheap, but also meaningless, in my opinion. KK: Do you think there's a chance that the social media platforms are going to see a significant drop-off among people who actually went there to see things like where our friends were going on holiday or what they had for breakfast? KC: I think so. I think there is a slow decline; I know of one study recently that found fewer people are actually posting on TikTok. But what these platforms have found, I think Instagram in particular, is that our personal sharing is moving more toward direct messages and one-to-one conversations with our friends. We actually do need an online social network. The social networks that we have now don't really want to play that role. So, I think there will be new spaces and maybe even new apps that emerge to serve that need, whether that's like an expanded WhatsApp or a better management system for all your friends' group chats. I think we're just moving into a more private, more intimate way of connecting online. KK: I have kids who are in their 20s and teens. There was a whole feeling amongst my generation that kids today don't care about privacy and they're happy to put anything online. I'm wondering if we were wrong about that, that young people tasted this world where everything was put out there in public, and now they're thinking, "Actually, I'd rather my groups were more intimate and curated," as opposed to the whole world knowing what I had for breakfast. KC: I think we kind of learned the downside of broadcasting your private life online over the course of the 2010s. You could see that with public shaming or kind of viral embarrassments that happen to people. I think the social contract of social media has changed. The deal was if you put stuff out there, if you put out content, you could get this massive audience. But that becomes a vicious cycle that becomes your entire life. So, unless you're trying to become an influencer or a professional internet poster, the deal doesn't seem so good anymore. The downsides of posting are too great and the advantages are not good enough. So, you might as well just text your friends. KK: I had a super-interesting conversation with Jonathan Haidt, who's obviously done a lot of work on trying to get phones out of schools. Do you think that if the trend you are spotting – you call it posting zero – turns out to be a kind of a significant wave that we're moving towards, does it actually make it easier to break that phone and device addiction for kids? KC: It's a good question. I do think we've passed peak social media in a way, but I don't think that removes the 24/7 digital conversation that people are having. It's just that the conversation moves away from the public channels into these group chats, into DMs or a more ephemeral platform, like Snapchat. The addictive capacity of the phone is still there. The distraction is certainly still there. But I think there's less of this public nature of it. I think it is a little bit better that we've moved out of the public sphere and have removed that risk of just getting totally exposed to the entire world and going viral for the wrong reasons. But we're still texting each other all day. We're still consuming memes. We're still getting distracted by feeds. KK: Throw it forward. What are we going to be looking at on our phones in five years' time? How different will our interactions be with the social component of our phones and our devices? KC: I think it'll be even more like television. If we look at the way things are going, it's a lot of professionalised media. It's a lot of passively watching stuff. We kind of see this merging today of YouTube and TikTok and Netflix into just an unholy combination of audio and video and algorithmic feed. If I had to predict, the conversation and social aspect will be in text messages or I think it might move more into real life. I think this peak social media has created more of a desire for in-person interaction and has reminded us of the value of actually sharing things in real life. So, that makes me a little bit hopeful. KK: Do you think we'll get to a posting zero world, where people like you and I just are not posting anymore? KC: I think so. I think it's coming sooner than we expect, just because there's no incentive to post anymore. Why post your selfies or post your breakfast if you don't get attention for it, you can't reach your friends and you're just competing with all of this remote, abstracted garbage out there? Maybe social media was this aberration in a way, or a detour. And this idea that every normal person should share their life in public was kind of flawed from the beginning. And we're now waking up from that a little bit and seeing the damage that it's wrought and moving on a little bit with our habits. --
Digital Trends
08-07-2025
- Business
- Digital Trends
Aiper robotic pool cleaners and bundles on sale for Prime Day — up to $800 off
Keeping your swimming pool clean is tough work, but you can say goodbye to manual cleaning by taking advantage of Aiper's discounts on its robotic pool cleaners for Prime Day. Up to $800 in savings are up for grabs, and you'll get an additional 5% off these lowered prices by using the code DIGITALTRENDS5OFF during the checkout process. We're going to say it — these Prime Day deals on Aiper robotic pool cleaners are simply amazing. These offers are scheduled to last until Prime Day ends, but you shouldn't wait until the final minutes of the shopping holiday before you finalize your purchase. That's because there's no assurance that these Aiper robotic pool cleaners and the bundles featuring them will still be available by then. If any of these bargains catch your eye, we highly recommend proceeding with your transaction immediately to make sure that you pocket the savings — just don't forget that checkout code for the extra 5% discount! Aiper Scuba X1 — $935 $1,100 15% off The Aiper Scuba X1, which can clean your swimming pool's floor, wall, and waterline, features a dual-jet system that enables strong suction power of 6,600 GPH to remove all kinds of debris, and four brushes for maximum scrubbing. The robotic pool cleaner also offers WaveLine 2.0 technology for efficient waterline cleaning, and the WavePath 3.0 smart navigation system to make sure that every corner of the pool is covered. The Aiper Scuba X1 will adjust to any pool shape, and once it's done, you can recall it to the edge and simply place it on its wireless charging dock to make sure that it's ready for the next session. You can get it with a 15% discount, for savings of $165. Aiper Scuba X1 with HydroComm Pro — $1,260 $1,400 10% off This bundle that combines the Aiper Scuba X1 with the HydroComm Pro is 10% off right now, for a $140 discount. The HydroComm Pro provides real-time monitoring while the robotic pool cleaner is underwater, so that you can see its status, check its battery levels, and switch cleaning modes through the Aiper app. It also gives your swimming pool a water quality score while giving you insights for better maintenance, and it's solar-powered so you don't have to worry about charging it. Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max — $1,800 $2,600 31% off We described the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max as 'one of the best pool cleaners on the market' in our review, where we gave it an impressive score of 4 stars out of 5 stars. It will be able to deeply clean the floors, walls, waterlines, platforms, and surfaces of your swimming pool in a single cycle, with 8,500 GPH of suction power and dual-stage filtration. Smart Pool Mapping and Adaptive Path technology ensures complete coverage so that no spot is missed, and it will automatically park near the pool's edge once it's done for easy retrieval to place it on its charging dock. The Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max has the brand's largest discount of $800, which is equivalent to a 31% discount. Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max with Aiper Caddy — $2,000 $2,700 26% off The Aiper Caddy is the perfect partner for the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max, as it makes it much easier to transport the robotic pool cleaner. You may decide to store the device at a different location, or the best position of its charging dock is more than several steps away from your swimming pool. In such cases, you'll need the Aiper Caddy to move the Aiper Scuba X1 Pro Max, and this bundle is available with a 26% discount so that you can save $700 with your purchase.
Geeky Gadgets
08-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geeky Gadgets
How AI is Predicting Viral Videos : The Secret Tech Behind Tomorrow's Viral Sensations
What if you could predict the next viral sensation before it takes over your feed? Imagine knowing which quirky dance challenge, heartfelt story, or jaw-dropping stunt was about to explode in popularity—days or even hours before the rest of the world caught on. Thanks to the rise of AI-powered tools, this isn't just a futuristic fantasy; it's already happening. By analyzing massive datasets and uncovering hidden patterns in real time, artificial intelligence is transforming how we understand and anticipate digital trends. For content creators, marketers, and platforms, this technology offers a innovative advantage in the race to capture attention in an increasingly crowded online space. Creator Magic explores how AI is reshaping the way viral videos are identified and used. You'll discover how advanced algorithms and data pattern recognition allow these tools to predict which videos are poised to dominate timelines—before they even hit their stride. From analyzing engagement metrics to decoding emotional tones in comments, AI provides insights that human intuition alone could never achieve. Whether you're a creator looking to ride the next big wave or a marketer eager to align with emerging trends, this technology holds the key to staying ahead of the curve. The question is: how will you use it to your advantage? AI-Powered Viral Video Prediction How AI Identifies Viral Video Potential AI's ability to predict viral content is rooted in its capacity to process and analyze massive amounts of data in real time. These systems evaluate key factors such as user interactions, engagement metrics, and historical trends to uncover patterns that indicate a video's potential to gain popularity. For example, an AI tool might detect a sudden surge in shares, likes, or comments within a specific demographic. By comparing this activity to patterns observed in past viral videos, the system can forecast whether the content is likely to achieve broader appeal. This predictive capability enables AI to identify trends that might otherwise go unnoticed by human observers, offering a unique advantage in spotting viral content early. The Role of Advanced Algorithms in Trend Prediction The foundation of AI's predictive power lies in its advanced algorithms, which are designed to analyze complex datasets and identify correlations that drive content virality. These algorithms evaluate multiple factors, including: Video length and format Topic relevance to current events or audience interests Engagement metrics such as comments, shares, and watch time Natural Language Processing (NLP) plays a critical role in this process by analyzing video titles, descriptions, and comments to understand the emotional tone and context of the content. Additionally, AI systems assess visual and audio elements—such as color schemes, themes, and music—that are essential for capturing viewer attention. By combining these insights, the algorithms can make highly accurate predictions about a video's potential to go viral, offering actionable intelligence for content creators and marketers alike. AI Agent Finds Viral Videos Before They Go Mainstream Watch this video on YouTube. Here are additional guides from our expansive article library that you may find useful on AI videos. Spotting Trends Early Through Data Pattern Recognition AI's ability to recognize data patterns is a powerful tool for early trend detection. By continuously monitoring user behavior and content performance, these systems can identify emerging trends before they reach mainstream popularity. This capability is particularly valuable for marketers and creators who aim to stay ahead of the curve in a fast-paced digital environment. For instance, if an AI system identifies a growing interest in videos featuring a specific challenge, theme, or format, it can alert users to this trend. Content creators can then produce relevant material while the trend is still gaining momentum, significantly increasing their chances of reaching a larger audience. This proactive approach not only helps creators maximize their impact but also allows brands and advertisers to align their campaigns with current audience interests, making sure greater relevance and engagement. Real-World Applications of Viral Content Forecasting The ability to forecast viral content has far-reaching applications across various industries. Social media platforms can use this technology to recommend trending videos to users, enhancing engagement and user satisfaction. By identifying high-potential content, platforms can also optimize their algorithms to prioritize videos that resonate with their audience. For brands and advertisers, AI tools provide a strategic advantage by identifying content that aligns with current trends. This allows them to collaborate with creators or promote videos that are likely to perform well, making sure their campaigns achieve maximum visibility and impact. Content creators, on the other hand, benefit from actionable insights into what resonates with their audience. By understanding the factors that drive virality, they can refine their strategies, focusing on topics, formats, and styles that maximize their reach. In a competitive digital landscape, this combination of creativity and data-driven decision-making is essential for standing out and building a loyal audience. The Future of AI in Trend Prediction AI-powered tools for predicting viral videos represent a significant advancement in trend analysis. By using advanced algorithms, data pattern recognition, and early trend detection, these systems provide unparalleled insights into the dynamics of content popularity. Whether you're a marketer, content creator, or platform operator, adopting this technology offers a clear path to making informed decisions and staying ahead of the competition. As AI continues to evolve, its role in shaping the future of digital content will only grow, influencing how trends are identified, analyzed, and used across industries. Media Credit: Creator Magic Filed Under: AI, Top News Latest Geeky Gadgets Deals Disclosure: Some of our articles include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, Geeky Gadgets may earn an affiliate commission. Learn about our Disclosure Policy.
