Short form content: Yay or Nay?

[Gumbies R Us]

One of the most popular things people do on their phones (unless you are me) is view short-form content. Just about every major social media outlet has it. Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, YouTube Shorts, or TikTok. For a lot of people, these are easy ways to pass the time. Pull your phone out and watch some short videos for a few while you wait for your food to be done, or if you have nothing better to do. Do you watch these kinds of videos, or do you find them annoying/ waste of time? Trying to see what everyone here thinks!

 

[cdemoss01]

Depending on the type. I love it.

I recommend reefing short forms! they're great!

Its detrimental to our brains though!

 

[Fish Fan]

Nope. I can't stand those short videos. If I wanted to watch TikTok videos I'd be on TikTok

 

[Reefer Matt]

I occasionally make them, but I don’t really watch them. Short form is for entertainment and marketing, I aim to educate.

 

[Biokabe]

It's a mixed bag with me.

I watch them, and I'll admit that I sometimes get sucked into them. However, I'm not sure that I'd say I really like them, except for the ones that are humorous... mostly cats that sound like they're talking. If you have a cat that says, "Boom," or "I'm cold!" I'll probably watch it.

But in general, even when I find myself stuck in the loop watching short-form videos there's a low-level resentment building up, that vague sense of, "I should be doing something better with my time."

As it relates to reefing content... I find the short-form stuff very frustrating. If I see a cool tank I want to see more about it, not just a quick minute of it.

 

[Fish Fan]

I'll add that I'm mostly on a computer screen all day and night, I'm not one who "scrolls" on the phone a lot. I hate the way the short form videos display like they are on a phone, so even on a very large monitor the videos only take up like three inches in the middle of the screen. If I'm going to watch a video that interests me, I want it full screen, or at least a full window when multitasking.

And I don't expect to be in the majority here, it's just how I feel about those videos

 

[Biokabe]

I'll add that I'm mostly on a computer screen all day and night, I'm not one who "scrolls" on the phone a lot. I hate the way the short form videos display like they are on a phone, so even on a very large monitor the videos only take up like three inches in the middle of the screen. If I'm going to watch a video that interests me, I want it full screen.

And I don't expect to be in the majority here, it's just how I feel about those videos

Well, here's at least one person that agrees with you 100%.

I spent a lot of money on my computer and its screens, I prefer videos that actually take advantage of that!

 

[Fish Fan]

I spent a lot of money on my computer and its screens, I prefer videos that actually take advantage of that!

Yes, this exactly for me too!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

It's a mixed bag with me.

I watch them, and I'll admit that I sometimes get sucked into them. However, I'm not sure that I'd say I really like them, except for the ones that are humorous... mostly cats that sound like they're talking. If you have a cat that says, "Boom," or "I'm cold!" I'll probably watch it.

But in general, even when I find myself stuck in the loop watching short-form videos there's a low-level resentment building up, that vague sense of, "I should be doing something better with my time."

As it relates to reefing content... I find the short-form stuff very frustrating. If I see a cool tank I want to see more about it, not just a quick minute of it.

I can see the frustrating part. It can sometimes develop a sense of "jealousy" because you want to have this big awesome tank that you show off to the world.

 

[AlyciaMarie Verified Admin]

I think there is a time and place for it, and it certainly has its pros and cons. Speaking for myself, and in regard to reefing content (whether it be regular or short-form content), it depends on my goal. If I have questions or just want to engage on a personal level, it's not helpful. But if I want to enjoy looking at some tanks and getting inspired, short-form is my go-to.

 

[D'sreef]

I definitely like the short form videos where it's a quick tour of a tank, a coral farm, or highlights a fish.