Here's a random comment from Professor Chris Snider, shared during a presentation at the MediaNow workshop a couple weeks ago at Drake University: "If you want to spot early tech trends, watch what middle school girls are doing with tech and software and platforms."
He used TikTok as an example, and how that social media platform was a mere curiosity just three years ago and now is the most used platform by high school students (soon to be college students).
I have no idea how much evidence backs this assertion up, but am prepared to accept that general claim. My own granddaughters confirm the popularly of this platform. But here's the thing: I'm not sure I am comfortable with assigning 14-year-olds the task of choosing future tech trends.
It's not that I don't trust in middle school girls' intelligence and energy and idealism, and I don't honestly know if there is a clearly superior age group to make such decisions. I dimly remember when young people eagerly embraced Facebook, and how it took years for their elders to jump on board. Predictably, as soon as parents and grandparents started showing up on that platform, kids quickly abandoned it in search of something more "them."
I also dimly remember not being all that wise when in junior high, though I certainly thought I knew a lot. My taste of being semi-adjacent to setting trends must have been loving the Beach Boys and Beatles in 1964, and so many other great bands from the 70s and 80s. Now you can't turn on a commercial or listen to a movie soundtrack without hearing music from over 30 years ago.
I wonder if Facebook will some day be thought of with nostalgia, with top posts being replayed and golden memories flooding back... Ha!
Instagram is owned by Meta/Facebook, and still seems quite popular with teens, but TikTok currently reigns supreme mostly because grandpa isn't on it... and doesn't even understand it.
But grandpa CAN understand new technology if motivated enough. If Trump jumped on TikTok, you might be surprised by how many folks who rarely spend time pushing the tech envelope would find the time and energy to become regular users.
But most of us would find a Trump or Biden TikTok account to be shamelessly pandering and (probably) awkward and strained. They would need to hire some 8th graders to help them out.
That takes me to Mr. Biden's infamous photo "fist-bumping" Saudi Arabian prince Mohammed bid Salman as they met for talks last week. Some people objected to the mere fact that the two national leaders met at all. MBS is, after all, responsible for all manner of human rights violations and numerous outright murders.
Some people objected, however, to the choice of a fist bump over a hand shake. Hand shakes are so normal and accepted, even in a pandemic, that they are like saying "Hi, how are you?" to strangers as you pass them on a walk.
We are so focused on finding the negative, on bringing down the powerful (or anyone we disagree with), that a 79-year-old's use of what is considered a younger, hipper greeting can cause a minor disturbance in the media jungle.
At this point, Biden can do nothing right. The momentum is building against him. I'm sure that fist bump has made TikTok, causing laughter and derision from hip 7th graders. AT least they aren't "lost votes."
I guess he should go back to hugging and kissing tops of heads.
At least it's HIS brand.
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