A disquieting current runs through the digital world this week, a resurgence of bullying manifesting in unsettling new ways. It’s not the playground scuffles of yesterday, but a calculated cruelty amplified by cameras and the relentless reach of social media.
The “flip the camera” trend embodies this shift. What begins as a request for a simple video – a dance, a silly pose – quickly turns exploitative. The camera is flipped, not to share a moment, but to capture a reaction, to mock someone deemed “other,” to elevate the perpetrators through another’s discomfort. It’s a digital pile-on, disguised as a prank.
Despite decades of progress in recognizing the harm of bullying, young people continue to find innovative ways to inflict it. Yet, a glimmer of hope emerges from the hashtag itself, with many users actively calling out the trend as unacceptable, a sign that awareness is growing.
In a strange counterpoint, TikToker @MannytheMann1 is gaining viral attention by *performing* bullying, but with a twist. He’s mimicking the exaggerated tropes of Disney Channel bullies – the backwards caps, the swagger, the cheesy lines – turning the act itself into a comedic commentary on the absurdity of both bullying and the shows that often glamorized it.
Meanwhile, a different kind of trend is taking hold: the “potato bed.” It’s a simple concept – surround yourself with pillows and blankets, creating a cocoon of comfort. But it speaks to a deeper shift, a potential rejection of the relentless “grindset” mentality and a prioritization of rest and well-being, particularly among Gen Z.
The internet’s fascination with the Tripod fish offers a starkly different emotional pull. This deep-sea creature leads a life of almost unimaginable hardship, from a vulnerable larval stage to a solitary existence on the ocean floor, nearly blind and sustained by chance encounters with food. Its tragic existence serves as a humbling reminder of the relative ease of our own lives.
The Tripod fish hatches into a world of predators, relying on a limp, jellyfish-like imitation for survival. If it lives long enough, its eyes melt, and bony protrusions grow, anchoring it to the seabed. It waits, nearly immobile, for sustenance to drift within reach, a life sustained by luck and plagued by parasites. Even reproduction is a lonely, uncertain gamble.
Finally, Instagram is enacting a policy shift that could dramatically alter the landscape of meme culture. The platform is now flagging and penalizing accounts that primarily repost content, effectively targeting meme aggregators and signaling a desire to prioritize original creations.
This move coincides with a surge in “Kirkification” memes – the absurd practice of inserting the face of Charlie Kirk into various images. While seemingly harmless, the trend may be unsettling to some, potentially influencing Instagram’s decision. Ultimately, the platform seems to be pushing for a return to a more authentic, creator-focused environment.
