In the days without short videos, time seemed to pass more slowly.

I still remember weekends from my childhood, when I loved to curl up on the sofa and watch a two-hour movie or wait for the weekly updates of a TV series. The anticipation of plot development and the imagination of unknown worlds could excite me immensely. Occasionally, I would pick up a book and savor the profound emotions and rich details within, which required time to chew and reflect. But now, the prevalence of short videos has made me realize that this kind of fully immersive experience is gradually fading away, and it is very, very difficult to return to that feeling.

The convenience of short videos is very obvious. They can quickly convey information in fragmented time and also bring some relaxation to a busy life. But they are also quietly changing my habits, and my personal experience has made me aware of this. Many times, I unconsciously scroll through one video after another—I don't know how everyone else feels, but it's like being trapped in it, unable to break free. Each video is like a micro-stimulant, briefly and intensely exciting my senses, but after it ends, I often feel empty and lost...

I might think that the design of short videos is almost the perfect temptation, capturing people's desire for novelty and immediate feedback. To some extent, I even feel that my attention has been "kidnapped" by them. For a while, I found it increasingly difficult to calm down and read a book, or even to watch a movie all the way through (unless the movie was very interesting). In short, things that require patience and concentration began to seem too slow and boring. It seems our attention is being fragmented into countless pieces, each used to fill some brief void, no longer used to build deeper understanding and connections.

At the same time, I also think about the transformation of long-video creators from before. Has the popularity of short videos put some pressure on creators? Many creators may have to compress their content to cater to algorithms and viewers' attention spans, condensing rich ideas into just a few seconds. This fast-paced creative environment makes many topics that could have been deeply explored become shallow, even falling into cycles of repetition and imitation. This rapid consumption model not only limits the depth of creators' expression but also affects viewers' taste and expectations for content.

I had a friend who always wanted to edit MC live-action videos. She buried many details and interesting points in the long video. In short, from my interactions with her over those few days, she went to great lengths to make that video well. Unfortunately, algorithms cater to viewers, and viewers are led astray by algorithms. No one noticed such a video. Or maybe times have changed, and people can't get the enjoyment that this video brings them.

Short videos have been changing our pace of life, seemingly making a fast pace a necessity. Not only do they shape our perception of time, but they also change our behavior. Nowadays, we are increasingly accustomed to "getting things at any time," but rarely stop to think about "what we really need." But does this fast-paced lifestyle really make us happier? Even with this brief happiness, are you truly satisfied with it?

Sometimes, I really miss the days without short videos. Back then, time was longer and quieter, and life seemed more real and grounded. Try to recall those times without short videos: we paid more attention to the people and things around us, rather than the screen in front of us. On weekend afternoons, we might spend time doing one thing, like going out for a walk, learning something, focusing on what we love, or having deep conversations with friends. But now, more conversations are replaced by emojis and ten-second videos, and the connection between us seems to have become shallow.

Of course, I don't think short videos themselves are the root of the problem. They are just a medium, and they don't intend to harm anyone. But it's undeniable that they attract us with some invisible force, making us oscillate between pleasure and anxiety. Short videos themselves are not wrong, but the changes they bring have raised many thought-provoking questions. For example, when our attention becomes so fragmented, can we still truly feel the depth of life?

I write these words not to criticize short videos, but to provoke everyone's thinking: Can we still find the ability to slow down, calm down, and have a dialogue with ourselves? Short videos have indeed enriched our lives, but at the same time, have they also made us lose something precious? Will this shaping of life's rhythm ultimately make us forget that real life does not need to constantly pursue speed and instant gratification?

When I look back on those past times, I think perhaps I should try to stop, let life return to its natural rhythm, rather than being pulled forward by the swiping motion on the screen. Slow down, maybe then we can find inner peace again and once more experience those moments that should be cherished.