How Videos Are Changing the Way We Share Knowledge
The smartphone, the internet, and social networks like TikTok have rapidly and utterly transformed the way we communicate. Instead of typing out ideas, many now turn on a camera and talk to convey their message. For a growing number of young people, video has become the primary way to express thoughts and spark discussions.
Media theorists like Marshall McLuhan have long emphasized how a new medium shapes our society. Just as mass printing revolutionized news, literacy, and bureaucracy, mass video is now poised to redefine our culture. But how exactly will it shift our way of thinking?
One significant impact, I believe, is the ease of sharing knowledge that was once difficult to convey through text. For instance, as a long-distance cyclist, I no longer search for written guides when fixing my bike; instead, I turn to video tutorials. Videos excel at explaining visual, physical, or hands-on concepts, making them more engaging and accessible. From makeup tutorials to coding lessons, instructional videos have become incredibly popular as they offer a more dynamic and immersive learning experience.
Moreover, video content is no longer limited to one-way broadcast; it has become a platform for dialogue and interaction. Raven Maragh-Lloyd, author of “Black Networked Resistance” and a film and media studies professor, highlights the increasing audience participation seen on platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Users now engage in duets, response videos, and other forms of interactive content creation, using videos to challenge authority and speak out against prevailing norms.