For the ones who have been on TikTok, you would have likely seen various videos intentionally made to “rage bait” (if it’s also part of your algorithm). In the past, it’s click baits with sexual images or controversial titles and etc. However, as the “cancel culture” gets more traction nowadays, some content creators are banking on the “all press is good press” assumption — that any scandal or controversy is good for them as long as they gain millions of views within a short period of time.
Perhaps they are not thinking long-term, or they are hoping that with time, all will be forgiven. That the Internet has always been forgetful with past trespasses, regardless of how heinous it could have been. And that even if millions hated their guts for months or years, there are millions who would be unaware of their behaviours. They could always go on to tap on the other millions who have never seen nor heard of their scandal. There will also always be people who might agree with them, and support their actions or words readily.
I had seen an example of a content creator whose channel was terminated when she faced major backlash for making fun of a girl with cancer (I am not going to quote her here). Her own father disowned her due to years and years of troubles she had gotten into, despite having provided therapies for her possible issues. She was called out for racism, animal abuse and more. She did not seem sincerely apologetic, but went on a show and said even more controversial things. Years later she is back online, doing well again (well is kind of subjective, but earning a living through streaming again despite her past, I guess that would be considered well enough). Was she intentionally rage-baiting? Knowing it would have kept her in the spotlight for a longer period of time? Or was it something people like her would do (without a conscious intention), because that is the best and easiest way for them to garner attention — when they don’t have other things to offer. Like talent, skills or even basic entertainment.
It’s the same with news reporting, isn’t it? The press learnt to stop reporting certain types of suicides or terrorist activities, so that they don’t get the attention from the public and it will hopefully deter copycats. When will the Internet learn this though? That by giving these rage-baiters attention, it only fuels their ego and reinforces their belief even more — that all press is good press. As long as we continue to give such people the statistics, the eyeballs, the views, and the clicks… they will continue to thrive on making hateful contents at the expense of minorities, persons with disabilities, animals, and any other vulnerable groups.
Also, does this strong desire for instant success goes back to the newer generation not having to learn delayed gratification as much as before? Because technological advancement has made us so used to instant gratifications in most aspects of our lives — the world is at our fingertips. We buy, read, research, listen, find, communicate within seconds. The definition of success seemed to have shifted drastically toward talentless but controversial type of fame and fortune as well.
Sometimes as I watch all these regressions of our societies, I fear for our collective future.
