34 Comments

Happy Birthday, Leigh! I was thinking that the next ultimate birthday 🥳 girl dinner would be ordering off the children’s menu! Great piece.

Expand full comment

This is all so interesting. I am stumped by the girl thing - my title "woman" is hard won, and i'll stick with that. Leigh, what's the thing about "girl math" that i keep seeing on threads? Is it a joke? It feels like a slight, but it's mostly coming from women. Please advise. Also happy birthday!

Expand full comment

ironic self-deprecation? I’m not sure! Get me a an interview on Good Morning America and I’ll look into this for you 🤓

Expand full comment

No joke - if i had the right person's number i would lobby for a regular spot on GMA for you, explaining all the things the confound me

Expand full comment

Happy Birthday Leigh! I love this post, and the positivity of all you share about social media as an author on Attention Economy! It's truly a breath of fresh air. Keep it up!

Expand full comment

thank you so much!

Expand full comment

Happy birthday weekend, Leigh! Fascinating piece! I am not a TikTok user, but I so appreciate the positive take you have on this and all things social media. It helps me keep an open, curious attitude! The NPR piece was excellent. I have several tweens/teens in my life and am sympathetic to how baffling and compelling this social media world can be for them. I do my best to teeter on the balancing point of watching out for them while supporting their explorations...not always a clear path! Thanks for continuing to be a trusted voice out there for me!

Expand full comment

HBD! As always, I love your hot take. It’s a good reminder to revive my abandoned TikTok! Thank you!

Expand full comment

As a writer who is working on a book proposal for my memoir, I actually enjoy Tiktok but sometimes wonder if it’s going to helpful. This info gives me hope! Also happy birthday!

Expand full comment

So smart. Thanks for giving us this gift on your special day—happy birthday! 🥳

Expand full comment

I have listened and read your posts for a long time. I have a TIkTok account but everytime I go over there I get completely overwhelmed. Maybe since I have pretty much walked away from X - I can convince myself to try again.

Expand full comment

use the search feature on tiktok to search for something you actually care about! the algorithm doesn’t know you yet--it has to learn what you enjoy

Expand full comment

Thank you for tip and the encouragement

Expand full comment

Love it. Saving this to share with TikTok naysayers. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Expand full comment

thanks Caroline!

Expand full comment

This is a great perspective on the benefits of social media. Thanks, and happy birthday!

Expand full comment

So smart and worthwhile, Leigh! Thanks for it.

Expand full comment

THIS IS SO GOOD! Give TikTok rights 🙌🏻

Expand full comment

Happy Birthday! <3

Expand full comment

Buon compleanno, happy birthday! 🥳🥳🥳

Expand full comment

Happy Birthday Leigh

Expand full comment

Happy happy birthday! 🎈

Expand full comment