How TikTok Bans, Zuckerberg’s Notes, and Net Neutrality Could Reshape Cultural Trends

Culture is a living, breathing thing—it’s unpredictable, wild, and occasionally wears Crocs with socks. As cultural analysts, we’re constantly chasing trends, whether they’re on TikTok, in a Meta meeting room, or tangled in the web of net neutrality rulings. But what happens when the internet’s quirkiest playgrounds face disruption? Let’s dive into how TikTok’s potential US ban, Zuckerberg’s latest strategy pivot, and net neutrality’s precarious future might shape the cultural landscape—and, of course, our sanity.

TikTok: A Cultural Powerhouse Facing an Uncertain Future

Imagine waking up tomorrow and TikTok is gone. No more teenagers inventing elaborate dances, no more oddly satisfying cleaning videos, and no more “How to hide from the FBI” tutorials disguised as life hacks. The app has been a cultural meteor, influencing everything from music charts to the resurrection of feta cheese. But with talks of a US ban, the cultural ecosystem could see a tectonic shift.

Dogged TikTok users might outsmart Uncle Sam with VPNs or smuggle TikTok content via Android devices like it’s the new black market. If TikTok is forced to change ownership, maybe we’ll get better analytics—finally, some clarity on what made that one guy’s avocado toast video go viral. But without international influence, will trends lose their edge? The globalization of culture, from K-pop domination to anime’s mainstream embrace, could falter. And what would we have left? More influencers choreographing to “I’m Just Ken” on Reels? Shudder.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Big Community Notes Experiment

In the world of social media, Zuckerberg’s latest brainchild is abandoning Meta’s fact-checking strategy for a community notes system—or, as we call it, “Wikipedia but spicier.” Inspired by X’s model, the idea is to let users fact-check each other in real-time. What could go wrong? (Spoiler: Everything.)

On one hand, this could promote open discourse and empower communities to challenge misinformation. On the other hand, we’ve all seen how “open discourse” can spiral into a dumpster fire of debates over whether pineapples belong on pizza. (They absolutely do not. Fight me.)

For us cultural analysts, it’s a double-edged sword. We might have to sift through more misinformation to get to the good stuff. But, hey, this could also lead to more creative ways to interpret online content—like taking everything with a heaping tablespoon of salt and a side of existential dread.

Net Neutrality’s Cultural Butterfly Effect

And then there’s net neutrality—the internet’s version of “the floor is lava.” The Sixth Circuit Court’s recent ruling overturning FCC regulations could open the floodgates for ISPs to prioritize certain content over others. Imagine trying to watch your favorite niche TikTok creator (if TikTok even survives) and finding out it’s buffering because your ISP decided cat videos are “Tier 2 content.” Outrageous.

The implications for culture are massive. With limited access to diverse sources of information, public discourse could become more homogenized. The digital divide might grow, leaving marginalized communities even further behind in accessing education, jobs, and those crucial memes that bring us all together. If the internet becomes a gated community, will culture still have room to thrive? Or will we end up with an online world as bland as unseasoned chicken?

Closing Thoughts: As the internet faces these seismic shifts, one thing is clear: culture will adapt, but not without a few hiccups. TikTok might disappear, Meta might hand us the reins to fact-checking, and ISPs might turn the web into a toll road. But through it all, cultural listening will remain our north star, guiding us through the chaos and ensuring we keep our fingers firmly on the pulse of a world that’s always in motion—even if it’s wearing Crocs with socks.