February 3, 2025: Thank You, TikTok

Even if you've never scrolled on TikTok yourself, after recent events it's hard to imagine anyone hasn't heard about the drama around the long-threatened ban and its speedy reversal. This post is not going to be about that (although, if you value your First Amendment rights, I'd urge you to examine the language of the bill and the Supreme Court decision – we're dealing with a far more vague and disturbing expansion of government censorship powers than a simple ban on a video app).

Between downloading all my old videos and trying to add online friends elsewhere, I started reflecting on how much my life has changed over the last 5 years . . . and how much of that was shaped or enabled by a silly phone app full of lip syncing videos.

So thanks, TikTok, for (directly or indirectly):

Introducing me to most of my current friend group, including my housemates and my partner
My job at a FLGS which got me into the tabletop gaming industry
Getting me a publishing deal for my first book
Landing me at SJ Games!
Pushing me to finally finish a decade-long bachelor's degree
Helping me figure out what I wanted to do with my life (spoiler alert: It's making games!)

I have no idea where I'd be were it not for the butterfly effect that started with "roasts based on your favorite TTRPG," but I am really glad I'm here.

And for everyone else . . . tell your online friends that they matter to you, and maybe get a second way to contact them. Keep physical backups of art that matters to you.