Also, I’m new here so feedback/criticism would be welcomed, and direction on whether this is an appropriate “quick take” would be great as well.
I think it’s okay, as in: you are not violating the local norms, but also there is a high risk of not getting any interaction, so don’t be too disappointed.
On topic:
This is an interesting thought that I don’t have a clear opinion on. Television is quite addictive to many people, but there is almost no interaction… except for switching channels. Smartphones are also quite addictive to many people, and there is constant interaction. TikTok seems more addictive than Facebook, but requires less interaction? (I am not sure actually; never used TikTok.) I think YouTube got slighty more addictive when they added automatic switch to a new video after you finished one. So… I don’t know.
Perhaps the optimal (from the perspective of someone who wants to get you addicted) amount of control is “very little but non-zero”? A repetitive mindless movement, which still creates some illusion of control? Importantly, you do not need to do anything to get new content; the medium is pushing new content at you automatically. Your choice is only between Content A and Content B—both options are okay from the perspective of the addictive medium, the only unwanted option is you turning it off, so it is better if it redirects your attention away from that.
That would explain why TV gets more addictive when you have a remote control for switching channels (more interaction), but YouTube gets more addictive when you run the next video automatically (less interaction needed). Endlessly scrolling pages are more addictive than clicking to see the next page, but TikTok is more addictive than scrolling.
I think it’s okay, as in: you are not violating the local norms, but also there is a high risk of not getting any interaction, so don’t be too disappointed.
On topic:
This is an interesting thought that I don’t have a clear opinion on. Television is quite addictive to many people, but there is almost no interaction… except for switching channels. Smartphones are also quite addictive to many people, and there is constant interaction. TikTok seems more addictive than Facebook, but requires less interaction? (I am not sure actually; never used TikTok.) I think YouTube got slighty more addictive when they added automatic switch to a new video after you finished one. So… I don’t know.
Perhaps the optimal (from the perspective of someone who wants to get you addicted) amount of control is “very little but non-zero”? A repetitive mindless movement, which still creates some illusion of control? Importantly, you do not need to do anything to get new content; the medium is pushing new content at you automatically. Your choice is only between Content A and Content B—both options are okay from the perspective of the addictive medium, the only unwanted option is you turning it off, so it is better if it redirects your attention away from that.
That would explain why TV gets more addictive when you have a remote control for switching channels (more interaction), but YouTube gets more addictive when you run the next video automatically (less interaction needed). Endlessly scrolling pages are more addictive than clicking to see the next page, but TikTok is more addictive than scrolling.