Patterns of Control and the Tiktok Ban

The saying "History doesn’t repeat itself, but it often rhymes" feels especially poignant in light of the TikTok ban. It happened suddenly—I had gone to bed early after a long day at the gym, woke up in the middle of the night to scroll, and discovered it was done. It’s difficult to see so many people upset over this. While I never made money on TikTok and often faced bullying for my anarchist views or my refusal to conform to certain aesthetics (ie, most of my tiktoks were in my bed when I was flaring up and didn’t care about how i looked), I know what the platform meant to millions and me. For many, TikTok was more than a social media app—it was a way out. It helped people escape toxic jobs, relationships, and environments. It built communities, allowed people to raise money for education, housing, and healthcare, and provided joy and understanding during uncertain times. TikTok connected us in a way that made barriers to understanding less prevalent. It radicalized generations by enabling people to share lived experiences and confirm truths that those in power would rather keep hidden. TikTok also raised awareness about global struggles in Sudan, Congo, Kenya, South Korea, and Palestine, becoming a great equalizer. But that equalizing power threatened those who benefit from inequality. People in power—those who support the current system—do not like level playing fields or the unrestricted flow of information. This ban is about control, plain and simple. Music: Propaganda Instrumental Remake - @LASlickD Creators: Sourced in Video #noamchomsky #marxist #anarchy