The Allure of Competency Porn: How Watching Capable People on TV Is the Ultimate Escapism
In an era where the world seems to be careening out of control, one thing is clear: we need a distraction. And what better way to unwind than watching a capable person at work? The latest phenomenon sweeping social media platforms and television screens is "competency porn," a term that describes our collective obsession with watching people excel in various fields.
For those who may be new to this phenomenon, competency porn typically involves watching someone expertly perform a task, whether it's folding laundry (the ultimate symbol of competence), baking a cake, or even simply doing their job. The appeal is clear: we're drawn to the idea of someone effortlessly succeeding without making a mistake.
But what drives our fascination with competency porn? Is it a desperate cry for escapism in a chaotic world? Perhaps it's a desire to forget that even the most competent among us can make mistakes (after all, who hasn't spilled coffee on their shirt or missed a deadline?). Or maybe it's simply because watching someone do something well is genuinely enjoyable.
One popular example of competency porn is a TikTok account dedicated to showcasing the wet-on-wet cookie-icing technique. The creator, a master of this particular art, can perform the task flawlessly without making a single mistake. For those who enjoy watching competent people at work, it's an almost transcendent experience.
Critics argue that competency porn represents a shift in our cultural values, where success is now measured by how well someone performs their job rather than any sort of creative or artistic expression. It's also possible that we're simply seeking escapism from the stresses of modern life.
Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: competency porn has tapped into something deep within us. Whether it's a desire to see others succeed or simply a need for distraction, watching capable people at work is now the ultimate guilty pleasure. So go ahead, indulge in some competency porn – just be sure to have your tissues ready if you start feeling too much admiration for those expertly folding laundry.
In an era where the world seems to be careening out of control, one thing is clear: we need a distraction. And what better way to unwind than watching a capable person at work? The latest phenomenon sweeping social media platforms and television screens is "competency porn," a term that describes our collective obsession with watching people excel in various fields.
For those who may be new to this phenomenon, competency porn typically involves watching someone expertly perform a task, whether it's folding laundry (the ultimate symbol of competence), baking a cake, or even simply doing their job. The appeal is clear: we're drawn to the idea of someone effortlessly succeeding without making a mistake.
But what drives our fascination with competency porn? Is it a desperate cry for escapism in a chaotic world? Perhaps it's a desire to forget that even the most competent among us can make mistakes (after all, who hasn't spilled coffee on their shirt or missed a deadline?). Or maybe it's simply because watching someone do something well is genuinely enjoyable.
One popular example of competency porn is a TikTok account dedicated to showcasing the wet-on-wet cookie-icing technique. The creator, a master of this particular art, can perform the task flawlessly without making a single mistake. For those who enjoy watching competent people at work, it's an almost transcendent experience.
Critics argue that competency porn represents a shift in our cultural values, where success is now measured by how well someone performs their job rather than any sort of creative or artistic expression. It's also possible that we're simply seeking escapism from the stresses of modern life.
Whatever the reason, one thing is clear: competency porn has tapped into something deep within us. Whether it's a desire to see others succeed or simply a need for distraction, watching capable people at work is now the ultimate guilty pleasure. So go ahead, indulge in some competency porn – just be sure to have your tissues ready if you start feeling too much admiration for those expertly folding laundry.
Competency porn has become a thing! I'm tracking its growth on TikTok, and it's crazy how quickly it's taken off! 
As of Feb 2025, #CompetencyPorn has gained over 1.3M views on the platform, with an average engagement time of 10 minutes and 22 seconds per video 
, with a majority of them being females (62%) 
. It seems like this phenomenon is particularly popular among young women looking for a relaxing escape from their daily routines 
. It seems like people want to see success happen outside of just mundane tasks 
I think it's kinda weird that we're so obsessed with watching other people do things right. Like, what's wrong with us? Shouldn't we be trying to learn from them or something instead of just sitting back and enjoying the view? 
But at the same time, I guess it's relatable when you think about it. We all get stressed out sometimes and need a break. And watching someone else do a task perfectly can be super calming. It's like we're vicariously experiencing their success without having to deal with any of the actual work or responsibility. 
. I mean who doesn't enjoy watching someone crush it at their job? It's like a breath of fresh air after all the drama and chaos that's going on in the world today. And honestly, I think there's something really satisfying about seeing someone do their thing flawlessly. Like, imagine being able to perfect your coffee-folding skills – now that would be goal-worthy 
️. But seriously, it's nice to have a little escapism from reality and just relax and enjoy watching someone succeed.
But seriously, I think it's kinda cool how we're drawn to people who are just really good at what they do. Like, my aunt is always folding laundry perfectly, and I'm over here like "wow, she's got this whole life thing figured out" 
. Maybe it's escapism from the chaos of everyday life or maybe we just love seeing others succeed (no judgments here 
. Like, who doesn't love watching someone crush it in their job or hobby? It's like a breath of fresh air after all the drama and stress we see on the news 
. And let's be real, it's just so satisfying to watch someone do something well – whether it's baking a cake 
or folding laundry (lol, I guess that's one way to relax 
). For me, it's all about escapism and feeling good vibes 
. It's not about comparing ourselves to others or feeling inadequate; it's just about being entertained and inspired by someone else's awesomeness 
. So yeah, let's give a shoutout to all the competency porn creators out there – you're bringing joy and positivity into our lives! 
But what gets me is that maybe our fascination with competency porn is actually a desire for some kind of escapism from the chaos of everyday life 
. We're living in such crazy times, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. So, yeah, watching someone expertly do their job might be just what we need to unwind and forget about all our worries for a bit 
.
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