Beneath the surface of mainstream youth culture, a fascinating network of hyper-specific communities thrives. These aren't just hobbies; they're immersive worlds with their own rules, aesthetics, and obsessions, ranging from unsettling fixations to surprisingly joyful revivals.
One such phenomenon sweeping TikTok is the rise of the “Bebot Girls.” The term, Filipino slang from the 2010s meaning “babe” or “baddie,” has been resurrected in videos showcasing transformations into the glamorous Filipino icons of the 1990s. Think bold makeup – heavy bronzer, frosty eyeshadow, and a striking metallic sheen – all set to the infectious beat of the Black Eyed Peas’ 2005 hit, “Bebot.”
It’s a wave of nostalgia, echoing the recent trends of Millennial Optimism and longing for 2016, but infused with a powerful sense of Filipino pride. The trend began with one TikToker, and quickly blossomed into a vibrant celebration of a specific cultural moment.
Then there’s Clavicular, the name known to a generation online, but largely unknown to those beyond. Braden Peters, born in 2005, has become the face of “Looksmaxxing” – the relentless pursuit of physical perfection. While seemingly harmless in theory, this pursuit descends into a disturbing obsession with a narrow, often unattainable standard of beauty.
Looksmaxxing isn’t about health or self-improvement; it’s about conforming to a single ideal – a hyper-masculine, often Caucasian aesthetic. Followers meticulously measure every aspect of their features, from canthal tilt to biacromial width, relentlessly striving for “ascension.” Clavicular himself admits to using testosterone and steroids, and even altering his bone structure, all in the name of achieving this ideal.
The situation is further complicated by Clavicular’s associations with controversial right-wing figures and his frequent use of hateful language. His growing popularity signals a troubling trend among young men, a descent into vanity and potentially harmful ideologies.
However, not all niche communities are cause for concern. Within the world of audiophiles, a playful trend has emerged centered around a surprisingly simple song: Jimmy Dean’s 1961 novelty hit, “Big Bad John.”
The trend, dubbed “Big John machines,” began with a Reddit post praising the song’s ability to showcase the nuances of high-end audio equipment. Soon, users began posting videos of their elaborate, and often incredibly expensive, sound systems playing the track – some costing upwards of two million dollars.
The challenge quickly evolved, with people demonstrating the song’s clarity on increasingly modest setups, even down to the most basic audio players. It’s a lighthearted celebration of audio fidelity, a testament to the power of a simple song to unite a passionate community.
Finally, a recent viral TikTok video, simply titled “The Leaf Test,” has sparked a surprisingly intense debate. The 11-second clip features a playful exchange between a couple, but the comment section exploded with anger and accusations, despite the obvious irony of the situation.
The video’s unexpected virality highlights a growing concern: the internet’s diminishing capacity for understanding irony and sarcasm. Responses are often immediate and unmoderated, fueled by a lack of nuance and a tendency to take things at face value. It’s a stark reminder that online interactions often lack the subtle cues that govern real-world communication.
