Short-Form Format and Erotic Expression
The popular video-sharing social networking platform, TikTok has become one of the most widely used apps for sharing videos globally. It is known for its innovative and creative way of creating and sharing videos that are trending among people all around the world. One such trend which has been quite popular recently is erotic expression through dance moves or gestures. This trend has gained immense popularity because it allows individuals to express their emotions or feelings without saying anything verbally.
This short-form format can also have some negative effects on erotic expression. In this article, we will explore how TikTok's short-form format intensifies or trivializes erotic expression in more detail.
Let's look at what erotic expression means. It refers to any form of physical or non-physical activity that stimulates sexual arousal in an individual. It involves sensual touching, kissing, caressing, hugging, etc., and can be expressed through various mediums like movies, books, art, music, etc. Now, let's understand how TikTok has affected erotic expression in recent times. The app provides a short-form format where users share videos of about ten seconds, which makes it difficult to convey a complete message. Therefore, when it comes to erotic expression, the user must be precise and clear with their movements and body language. They cannot rely on words or long explanations to get their point across. So, if they want to be explicit, they need to use their body language to convey their intentions. This can lead to over-exaggerated expressions, which may seem cringe-worthy for some viewers. On the other hand, some users take advantage of this short-form format by creating content that lacks depth and meaning.
They might create short clips of them dancing suggestively but without any context or storyline behind it. As a result, it becomes easy for such content to go viral quickly because people find it interesting and entertaining rather than something meaningful.
The short-form format also leads to distortion in communication between the creator and the viewer. Since there is no scope for dialogue or conversation, it becomes challenging for viewers to understand what exactly the creator intends to express. It also means that the creator's message can easily be misinterpreted by others, leading to misunderstandings and controversies.
Many TikTok users have been criticized for using sexual gestures without considering whether their audience would find them appropriate or not. Similarly, some creators have faced criticism for sharing content that was considered offensive or sexually provocative.
While TikTok's short-form format has allowed individuals to express themselves freely, it has also intensified or trivialized erotic expression by making it more challenging to convey deep and meaningful messages. The app requires its users to be precise with their movements and avoid over-exaggeration to make sure their message is received correctly.
Since the platform offers limited space, viewers should be careful when interpreting content shared on the app as it may lead to unintended consequences.
How does TikTok's short-form format intensify or trivialize erotic expression?
While TikTok's short-form video format provides an efficient platform for exploring sexuality, it also has some drawbacks. The app's algorithm can prioritize popular videos that may be less nuanced or complex than more thoughtful ones, which might make it easier to reduce erotic expression to stereotypes and cliches.