34 Comments
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Jolene Handy's avatar

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

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Annabel Monaghan's avatar

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!

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Leigh Stein's avatar

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

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Annabel Monaghan's avatar

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

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Jessica Sorentino's avatar

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!

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Leigh Stein's avatar

thank you so much!

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Katie Maxim's avatar

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!

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Kolina Cicero's avatar

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

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Erin Janda Rawlings's avatar

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!

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Laura Anderson's avatar

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

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Ramona Wildeman's avatar

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.

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Leigh Stein's avatar

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

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Ramona Wildeman's avatar

Thank you for tip and the encouragement

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Caroline DeVane's avatar

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

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Leigh Stein's avatar

thanks Caroline!

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Matt Andersen's avatar

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

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Catherine Baab's avatar

So smart and worthwhile, Leigh! Thanks for it.

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Jenni Johnson's avatar

THIS IS SO GOOD! Give TikTok rights 🙌🏻

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Erin Khar's avatar

Happy Birthday! <3

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Giorgia Meschini's avatar

Buon compleanno, happy birthday! 🥳🥳🥳

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Judy Archer's avatar

Happy Birthday Leigh

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Annabelle Tometich's avatar

Happy happy birthday! 🎈

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