Has TikTok become so ingrained in our daily lives that it’s no longer just an app we use, but an experience that happens to us? Millions of Americans spend hours scrolling on the app, but is our relationship with TikTok more problematic than we think? And how much of that problem lies in the way the digital content is delivered — effortlessly and endlessly?

In this episode, I’m joined by Emily Baker-White – Forbes tech reporter and author of the new book, “Every Screen on the Planet: The War Over TikTok” --  to unpack the staggering influence of this global platform. Together, we dive into the inner workings of TikTok, exploring how its proprietary recommendation algorithm knows us better than we know ourselves. We also expose the surprising ways the platform manipulates virality through its secret “heating” button, which can push any video to the top at the push of a button. Is TikTok's powerful hold over us a cause for concern, or is it simply the evolution of entertainment? Tune in as we explore the intersection of tech, culture, and human behavior in the age of TikTok.

About Emily Baker-White:

Emily Baker-White is a technology reporter at Forbes, where her TikTok coverage has won awards. A Harvard Law School graduate and former criminal defender, she previously led the Plain View Project, an investigation into police misconduct on Facebook, and covered TikTok for BuzzFeed News. She lives in Philadelphia.

Follow Emily on X, Threads and Bluesky @ebakerwhite.

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