🔮 TikTok’s atmospheric growth; Kim Stanley Robinson on climate & China’s Area 51 ++ #330

Hi, I’m Azeem Azhar. I convene Exponential View to help us understand how our societies and political economy will change under the force of rapidly accelerating technologies.

🙏 Today’s wondermissive is a special guest edition from Chris Stokel-Walker on the drivers behind TikTok’s remarkable growth and whether the company is here to stay. I’ve gotten to know Chris over the past years as he has proved to be one of the foremost investigative reporters tackling the growth and development of the digital creator economy, showing nuanced expertise and the ability to source insights from deep within the bowels of the industry.

Chris is one of the world’s experts on TikTok. He’s also written a fantastic book (a thriller, I would say) on the social network. I’ve had a chance to read it and you might want to treat yourself, too: TikTok Boom.

Please take a moment to thank Chris on Twitter for his contribution this week.

Azeem