TikTok, Misinformation, and Activism Trends

Eric Marquette

So, let’s talk about TikTok. I mean, it’s it’s impossible to ignore at this point, right? It's this cultural juggernaut where trends explode seemingly out of nowhere—and conspiracy theories, well, they’ve kinda found the perfect breeding ground there. Like, take the 'Flat Earth' trend. It’s wild how something so... outdated, let’s be honest, can feel fresh and intriguing on this platform.

Eric Marquette

But here’s the thing—are people genuinely believing this, or is it just, I don’t know, entertainment? Like, are they playing along for the sake of going viral? It’s tricky because the lines on TikTok are so, so blurry. One moment you’re watching a video of someone explaining ancient civilizations and the next, it’s a full-on theory about how the Earth is pancake-flat. It’s all served up in bite-sized, easily digestible chunks that just, you know, stick with you.

Eric Marquette

And then there’s the algorithm. Oh man, the algorithm. TikTok doesn’t just show you stuff—it curates this personal rabbit hole. If you, let’s say, watch just two videos about some fringe theory, the app seems to go, ‘Alright, got it. You like this stuff,’ and suddenly, your feed is full of it. The sheer speed at which these clips spread is, honestly, kinda mind-blowing. One video gets uploaded, and within hours, it’s stitched, duetted, commented on—and boom—it’s everywhere.

Eric Marquette

I saw this one clip, for example, where someone connected the 'Flat Earth' idea with... I don’t even know, some ancient map that supposedly proves the edges of the Earth are guarded by governments. The comments were a mix of, like, total belief and absolute mockery. The thing is, you can’t always tell who’s joking and who’s, you know, taking it seriously. That ambiguity? That’s exactly what makes TikTok such an incubator for these conspiracies.

Eric Marquette

And, honestly, what does that say about us as users? Are we drawn in because it’s fun to imagine these outlandish stories, or is it talking to something deeper—like, a mistrust of mainstream information? Maybe a bit of both, right?

Eric Marquette

So let’s, let’s shift gears and talk about where activism comes into play on TikTok. Social justice is, well, obviously a massive part of the platform now, but here’s where it gets kinda murky. Sometimes, these real, pressing issues start blending with conspiracy theories, and honestly, it’s tough to tell where one stops and the other starts. Like, is it activism, or is it just... well, clickbait?

Eric Marquette

Take 'Cancel Culture,' for example. It’s become this buzzword that people throw around and, you know, I think it’s misunderstood. One minute someone’s calling out legitimate bad behavior, and the next, that same energy is being used to cancel someone over, like, an out-of-context clip. And it all happens so fast on TikTok. Hashtags explode, videos pile up, and before you know it, it’s—well, it’s a viral movement, whether it’s justified or not.

Eric Marquette

And, you know, I saw this one video where a creator got dragged for trying to debunk a conspiracy. It backfired, big time. What they said was totally reasonable, no drama, but the responses just... twisted it completely. Comments and stitches came flooding in, turning it into something it wasn’t. It’s like the platform almost encourages this snowball effect of exaggerated, sensational takes on everything.

Eric Marquette

But why do people engage with this stuff so much? I mean, really. Is it about the drama? The thrill? Or maybe, it’s something deeper—something psychological. There’s this idea that conspiracy theories and exaggerated activism kinda hook into our natural need to make sense of chaos, you know? Like, when people see something big and complicated, they simplify it, distill it down into terms they can wrestle with. And TikTok, with its short, snappy format, makes that so much easier to do.

Eric Marquette

And socially? Well, there’s this herd mentality, right? Once an idea gains traction, especially something flashy or controversial, people start piling on. They don’t wanna feel left out—or worse, they don’t wanna be on the “wrong” side of a trending topic. That peer pressure aspect is, I think, really underrated when we talk about why these things go viral.

Eric Marquette

Alright, so let’s, let’s dive into something practical—how do we even start to separate fact from fiction in this giant swirl of TikTok content? It can honestly feel overwhelming, right? You’re scrolling, you land on a video claiming that this, I don’t know, mysterious cloud formation is proof of government weather control, and before you know it, you’re questioning everything you learned in high school science. So where do we begin?

Eric Marquette

One thing I always suggest, and I mean this seriously, is to verify the source. Take a moment to ask yourself—who’s posting this? Are they credible? Do they even, like, cite any sources, or is it just, you know, someone speaking confidently into their phone camera? Confidence doesn’t equal truth, but man, it’s persuasive, isn’t it?

Eric Marquette

Another key thing is fact-checking. And I’m not just saying, "Google it." Use tools like Snopes or FactCheck.org—you’ll be amazed at how many of these viral claims have been debunked before they even gain traction. Like, I saw one about ancient aliens building the pyramids get totally unraveled with a quick search. And yet, people were sharing that video like it was gospel.

Eric Marquette

Media literacy is so, so important here. I mean, we’re not really taught how to navigate this kind of constant, fast-paced stream of information, are we? But learning how algorithms work, how content gets promoted based on engagement rather than accuracy—honestly, that can make a huge difference. If you understand that TikTok’s main goal is to keep you watching, you start to look at content with, I don’t know, a more critical eye.

Eric Marquette

And let me tell you, diversifying your perspective? That’s crucial. Don’t just stick to creators who echo your beliefs—look for people who challenge them. It’s not about starting arguments in the comment section; it’s about broadening your understanding, you know? Mia and Jordan both talked about this. Mia always said that engaging with different viewpoints helped her refine her own stances, and Jordan? He stressed the value of storytelling in exposing hidden biases. These are lessons we can all take to heart.

Eric Marquette

Finally, and this might sound simple, but just pause. Take a moment before you react, before you share. TikTok thrives on instant engagement, but we don’t have to play by its rules. Slow down, breathe, and ask yourself—is this really the full story, or just, you know, the most clickable version?

Eric Marquette

And that’s where we’ll leave it for today, folks. I hope this episode gave you plenty to think about—and maybe some tools to help you navigate the wild, weird world of TikTok a little more confidently. As always, it’s been a pleasure diving into this with you. Stay curious, stay critical, and take care. Until next time!