#tiktok is not owned by an american entity

[srldesigns6277]

Why is it that whenever I wish to scream, I am at work?

[soon-palestine]

Tim Walz is a regular speaker at the Minnesota Israel lobby where he said anyone who refuses to recognize the genocidal Israeli rape-torture entity is an "anti-Semite", just recently said he fully stands behind Israel's rape and genocide of Palestinians, and wants the Zionist lobby to write the curriculum on Israel and Palestine to erase Palestinians from existence. He literally wants to indoctrinate and brainwash children in school into Zionism and anti-Palestinian genocidal racism. He said that explicitly. He wants to teach kids to hate Palestinians and support their genocide. That is fucking insane. This guy is a fucking deranged freak. And they're memeing him into an epic based radical.

Tim Walz is a fanatical deranged fully owned Israel lobby plaything, exactly like Kamala Harris, and Shapiro, and all the other Democrats. There is no difference in policy that is going happen with these fucking freaks in charge. They're identical to Genocide Joe. Anyone who says otherwise with bullshit coconut memes is lying to you.

They are liars, intentionally lying to you, and pretending like there will be any difference. There will be no difference. Both will keep supporting the genocide of Palestinians because they're owned by the Israel lobby like John Mearsheimer just recently reiterated. As he says, without the US, Israel is nothing. It is beset with crises and on the verge of collapse, but the US keeps bailing it out with endless weapons, funding, and their own military moving in to protect this rape-torture death-cult masquerading as a society.

They will allow Israel to do whatever it wants, because it is Israel Uber Alles for these genocidal Zionist scum.

The only thing that has a possibility of changing it is when Palestinians, Arab and Muslim Americans and all those who oppose the genocide in states like Michigan say explicitly that they will not vote for Genocidal Zionist Queen Kamala Harris and Tim Walz unless they right now, at this very moment, make a policy change. Not bullshit abstract rhetoric and promises, right now. Now.

Don't buy the bullshit about "well she's just VP now, she has no power but she and Walz get in they will suddenly become epic and based and stop the genocide, just vote for them!" She is the head of the Democratic Party as the nominee she can force Genocide Joe to take a position if she wants to rescue her Presidential campaign and announce her own explicit policy of stopping funding, arms and diplomatic and military protection to the Israeli rape-cult. If she chooses not to, it means she is fine with losing and sticking with the Israel lobby.

I want you to reflect on just how unbelievably deranged the Tim Walz position of "we need to change the curriculum to brainwash our children into supporting Zionist genocide of evil Palestinian sub-human barbarians" is. His main selling point is "I was a high school teacher!", and he's endorsing pushing genocidal propaganda onto children to get them to support genocide. Holy shit. This by itself is disqualifying. Just change the context. Imagine he said: "All these people who oppose the Russian war on Ukraine, they're all brainwashed by TikTok and Twitter. We need to change the curriculum and you, the Russia lobby in the US, will have to change it for us, so we can brainwash our kids into supporting the war on Ukraine." Or even more absurd because it's difficult to even imagine it: Say he said it about Israel. Reverse the order: "All these people supporting the genocide of Palestinians are doing it based on propaganda from the Israel lobby and Zionists. We need to change the curriculum in schools to ensure that our children will learn the true history of the Nakba and the genocide and rape and massacre of Palestinians by Zionists and oppose it." He would not only not be VP, he would not be a dog-catcher in Minnesota, even though this is actually true. This curriculum would actually be based in actual history and not deranged Zionist propaganda. But he said it about Palestinians. He said he wants the genocidal Zionist Israel lobby in his state and every other state and country on earth to determine the curriculum of what children are forced to learn. Because his policy is not state-limited, he's expressing a universal view there about what he believes is best to teach all children everywhere. Tim Walz wants every US state and country on earth to let genocidal Zionists write their high school curriculum such that the rape and genocide of Palestinians is made justifiable by Israeli propaganda about how pristine Saintly white European Zionist Jews came to an empty desert land and made it bloom and then those fake Arabs made up their Palestinian identity to kill them because they're by their nature evil sub-human monsters. That's the Israeli Zionist narrative that Tim Walz wants every child on earth to be brainwashed into so that TikTok and Twitter posts of Israel beheading, maiming, massacring and raping Palestinian babies, children, boys, girls, women and men will be acceptable to them. They'll see it and go: "They deserve it, my high school teacher taught me they're evil barbarian terrorists." Tim Walz wants to dehumanize Palestinians through mass universal brainwashing of children so that their rape and genocide is made justifiable to them. This is utter madness. This guy is a fucking deranged and depraved monstrous freak. Holy shit.

[qqueenofhades]

People are apparently saying "well I'm not gonna vote/vote for trump if tik tok is banned!"

I'm pretty sure they were already going to do that, this is just their excuse of the week

But more importantly, if a stupid app matters more to you than the actual lives trump and the republicans will deliberately destroy, well that says more about them don't it?

But wait... I thought they weren't going to vote because of Gaza/because Biden hasn't personally forgiven THEIR student loan/because something something corporate centrism/because something something garble garble??! Does this mean their excuses just change by the week according to whatever's in the headlines and have no actual logical coherence or adherence to a guiding principle? Surely you jest, good internet sir and/or madam. Shocking.

Anyway, also... they realize that this effort is being spearheaded by Republicans and is pretty transparently an attempt to get another huge social media platform (after the Bird App Formerly Known as Twitter) into the ownership of an ex-Trump Cabinet official and an investor group with Russian ties? And that voting for Trump would directly play into those people's hands? And that... wait, never mind. I still expect logic or reason to have any place in this discussion, and it doesn't. Just tell me Why They Aren't Voting For Biden!!! next week and maybe I can get ahead of the curve for once.

This, however, is likewise why I oppose this rushed and Republican-driven move to "ban TikTok!!" in a highly consequential election year and think somebody needs to talk some sense into Biden and/or the Senate that this is a stupid idea and should be shelved (or at the least, heavily revised or modified). Yes, TikTok being owned by a group with Chinese government ties isn't great, but there's no morally pure ultra-megacorp that's going to rush in to fill the void. Forcing the Chinese owners to divest will just create an opening for Trump's ex-Treasury Secretary and his Russian businessmen buddies to step in instead, and I don't know about you, but I don't think that's a net positive in terms of keeping Americans' personal data out of the hands of hostile foreign entities. We already have Musk shilling for the alt-right and the Russian government every chance he gets, using Twitter to prop up their narratives and their operations, and selling TikTok to a Trump/Russian-linked consortium in fucking 2024 would be an incredibly massive own goal and give MAGA and company virtually hegemonic control over American social media content. That is why I think this is a stupid idea and should be opposed, but also, I agree that people who are using this as their Excuse of the Week to not vote were deeply, deeply unlikely to vote in the first place.

This is also a perfect example of why "well now I won't vote >:[!!!!" as a threat/temper tantrum backfires every single time. If there are young people who are concerned about TikTok possibly being banned, and their response is to immediately throw temper tantrums about not voting, all that does is reinforce to elected officials that young people never vote, there is no need to make legislation that champions their interests, and they don't need to fear any electoral backlash because these people have already spent years announcing their intention to Not Vote at every opportunity and clearly aren't about to start now. They remove themselves further from the civic process at every turn, and they reinforce the narrative that young people as a group are not worth having their concerns or ideas prioritized, because even when politicians do other things that young people like and/or support, young people are poised to turn against them and urge No Vote!!! :( at the drop of a fucking hat. So, yeah. "Don't vote!" is always a stupid and self-defeating message, but I can't see how it's possibly supposed to convince politicians that a group of people already predisposed not to vote is going to make any difference from what they already do. So yeah. Like. Not that this surprises me, but it's literally the same threat they've echoed at every single turn, doesn't represent anything new, and will probably be changed 10 times before the election anyway.

[katakosmos]

i love your evan SO MUCH. in my mind he’s become his own fun little destructive entity and i need him. badly. i do fear he may be a gym bro…which brings me to my question. what are the gang doing at the olympics (basically, which of them is stephen and which of them is the muffin man. and why.) LOVE!

thank you 🥰 i love my evan too 🥰 probably cause i know he could destroy me 🥰

(yes he'd be a gym bro)

btw. there are too many sports in the olympics for me to even remotely know what they consist of, so i won't get into things that are too strange (and so i don't know if i'll be able to give all the characters a sport 😭)

james for me is a world pole vault champion. i think the reason he loves quidditch is because he loves flying, not kicking a ball into three circles. so no football for him. in a fic that i started writing (but, obviously, never finished) lily and james met on an athletics field cause lily practiced hammer throw. in a domestic context, james would reach high shelves while lily assembles furniture and lifts the sofa when james loses something underneath it. they go to the olympics together and kiss from the stands.

(honorable mention to that french guy who knocked over the pole with his dick. james coded.)

sirius fencing makes sense, and he's so good at it that you can't take your eyes off him. sirius' fencing is a declaration of love, it hypnotizes you, it moves you. it's not an equal fight: there's no chance, he has to win because he brings fencing to a poetic and emotional level. he plays a whole different sport

...but i think he'd hate sweating under his mask and getting his hair greasy. LMAO.

peter fits in rugby but personally i think he would slay in a gymnastics competition: he does perfect floor routines. before a competition he needs silence and concentration, so he side-eyes anyone who speaks to him. he's so scary that everyone's afraid of him.

dorcas practices martial arts, and i can see her doing kung fu, which is very choreographic and acrobatic. but unfortunately, kung fu is not in the olympics and therefore... she would probably do gymnastics too. but mhmmmmm, it's not really her vibe.

mary runs. no questions and no explanations. and she wins the gold medal with thick eyelashes and a 5cm long set of nails. she can also run on heels. this woman is not to be underestimated.

barty is a shooter. and he absolutely loves to terrify people by saying he has a gun. he's precise, he has a lot of fun and he thinks his professional glasses are very, very cool. buttt, when he doesn't have a clear advantage he gets angry and starts losing, so he never won a medal. he's famous for his little smirk every time he hits the bullseye, and people think he's very hot.

marlene would either do the best known sport in the world (football) or the most unknown one (underwater hockey). so let's put them together: water polo. if i'm honest though marlene doesn't have a personality in my head so i don't know 😭

pandora maybe diving? she's very good at it but she always comes second behind the chinese athlete, and this makes her furious. she smiles at her friendly when in reality she wants to drown her.

now remus, regulus and evan... but i think regulus would compete in figure ice skating (he is very graceful but also sharp and fast), and evan would be a hockey player (for obvious reasons), but these are winter olympics' sports.

remus on the other hand, i have no idea what sport he could do. i'd love to see him play tennis, but it's too tiring. he wants something messy, fast and where he doesn't have to move too much. if there was a sport like this he'd be world champion, but he's probably still looking for it. for now he has to settle for long jump (james forced him to try but he hates it).

now... i have a personal beef with tiktok because of that american guy like tell me if you hate me ok. but stephen is 100000% xenophilius like: he sleeps for all the competition, completely unaware of what anxiety is, then he wakes up to do just one thing and does it perfectly. this is xeno right here.

but i have no idea which of them could be the muffin man.

[theforbiddeneden]

Metal Hammer Magazine December 2023 Enter The World Of Sleep Token - Revista Metal Hammer Dezembro 2023 Entre no mundo do Sleep Token

"We'll never see the band at this level again" Sleep Token fan Benji Purdy

A deep, distorted voice is coming through the PA of Los Angeles’ El Rey Theatre.

“Do you think they want you to cry?” it’s saying. “Do you think they like it?”

A second voice, lighter in tone but still distorted and oddly inhuman, replies.

“Not as such,” this one says.

“I think they just want to know that I am feeling something, feeling what they are feeling, perhaps.”

The audience in this ornate, 800-capacity venue stands silent, entranced by the voices. The band onstage are masked metal sensations Sleep Token, tonight playing their first headlining show in the City of Angels as part of their month-long North American Rituals tour.

The dialogue that is playing out around us is hugely significant to everyone in this sold-out crowd. It marks the first time crowned frontman Vessel – the lighter voice – has broken his silence in public. The deeper voice he’s communing with belongs to Sleep, the god-like entity at the heart of the band’s lore. As the conversation continues, you could hear a pin drop.

“Do you think that this amount of crying is healthy for you?” Sleep asks.

“I don’t know,” comes Vessel’s response. “But at least I feel something. If I don’t feel anything then why would I even do this?”

At this, the crowd lose their minds and a wave of mania ripples across the floor. That the voices are pre-recorded doesn’t matter. Nor does the fact that this isn’t, strictly, the first time it’s happened – Sleep Token have been doing throughout this tour. But modern metal’s most enigmatic band have done something they’ve never done before: they’ve cracked open the door and given us a tantalising glimpse into their inner world.

This show isn’t the biggest Sleep Token will play this year. In December, they will headline London’s Wembley Arena. But Los Angeles, together with New York, is one of the epicentres of the US music business, and the buzz that’s surrounding the anonymous band suggests that America is paying attention to them.

More than that, La La Land has always had a thing for cults, from the Manson Family to Scientology, as well as the countless smaller ‘spiritualist’ groups that operate in the city today. An anonymous, masked British band with their own mysterious, quasi-religious mythology? LA never stood a chance.

“There is a new atmosphere at these live shows, an electricity,” says Benji Purdy, an American fan who also acts as moderator on the band’s official Discord server. He first saw Sleep Token when they supported metalcore act Issues on a 2019 US tour. After witnessing their headlined show in Portland, Oregon a few days ago, he says they’re an entirely different beast this time around.

“We’ll never see this band at this level ever again,” says Benji. “They are catapulting themselves.”

2023 has been the year Sleep Token’s cult success went fully overground. On January 5, the band released Chokehold, the first single from then-upcoming third album Take Me Back To Eden. Twenty-four hours later, they chucked in another new song, The Summoning. By the time the track hit TikTok, videos of listeners reacting to the genre-defying sound were reaching users around the world, with some even hitting a million-plus views.

Their social media profile was helped by celebrity boosts from Slipknot frontman Corey Taylor, Architects singer Sam Carter and Lorna Shore’s Will Ramos. And in May, they announced that Wembley date. All 12,500 tickets sold out in just 10 minutes. Sleep Token had officially become a arena band.

Chris Lody, a Sleep Token fan based in Coventry, set up a subreddit for the band back in 2018 after discovering they won their nomination for Best New Band at the Metal Hammer Golden Gods. The same year, he saw their first headline performance at St Pancras Old Church in front of 150 people. He’s had a front row seat to their dizzying rise.

“To go from that to Wembley in December, it’s incredible,” says Chris. “Creating the subreddit was a bit opportunistic really. Nothing like it really existed and I wanted to see what other people were saying about the band.”

It took a while, but fans eventually began to head to Chris’s Reddit page to share their own interpretations of Sleep Token’s music, art and lore. After the release of Chokehold and The Summoning, the page exploded with new users.

“The volume of people posting day-to-day is massive now,” says Chris, adding that it has grown from around 6,000 users to 34,500 at the time of writing. “We’ve had to take on more moderators just to maintain a bit of order.”

Much as the fandom has expanded, so too have the opportunities afforded Sleep Token. This summer, they stepped up to festival headliner status in the UK, with appearances at Portsmouth’s Takedown in April and Manchester’s Radar in July. Radar organiser Joe James admits they lucked out with the timing of the band’s booking.

“We got them at that sweet spot that every promoter dreams of,” he tells Hammer. “We’re a festival that wants to book progressive, contemporary music. Sleep Token tick all those boxes: they’re doing something fresh and are at the top of their game at the moment.”

Headlining the first day of the festival gave the band a full “limitless” rehearsal time, which in turn resulted in a truly headline-worthy performance.

“It looked and sounded amazing,” Joe enthuses. “They are so massive now, but they don’t behave like they’re blowing up just yet. I truly think they’re the next Download headliners of the new breed.”

It’s 4pm in Los Angeles when Hammer arrives at the El Rey Theatre, and queues are already stretching around the block in both directions. Some fans have brought chairs and blankets to sit on, while others are propping themselves up against the walls of the venue, clinging to the scant shade to avoid the glare of the Californian sun.

Amy McLaurin and her friend Sarah Hibbert are standing at the venue barrier. They’re from Virginia, and arrived at the El Rey at 9am, despite having fast-track passes that guarantee them priority entry.

“I found them on TikTok,” she says of how she discovered Sleep Token, with a nervous smile that suggests she’s worried any gatekeepers will leap out and chase her away at any second.

The pair saw Sleep Token for the first time a couple of weeks earlier in Baltimore, but couldn’t risk booking flights to come more than 2,000 miles to repeat the experience. It’s doubly impressive because Baltimore was Amy’s first ever gig, full-stop.

“I’d never really found an artist I loved enough,” she says. “Right now they’re everything I want in music. I listened to rock before Sleep Token, but not much metal – I’ve actually discovered more metal through them. I also met Sarah at the Baltimore show and we both decided to fly here.”

“They make you think about things you otherwise wouldn’t want to talk or be open about,” adds Sarah. “These songs can mean something different to everyone, a universal pain we all feel but some might be less able to express that.”

Vessel famously doesn’t do interviews – the only one he has given was to Hammer in the band’s early days – but their fans have been more than happy to pick up the slack. Sleep Token’s official and unofficial social media channels are full of running narratives, memes and jokes.

It hasn’t all been deadly serious, either. In April, a fan-filmed clip of an audience member at a gig in Sydney letting loose a “sinister” fart during the quiet part of the song Atlantic went viral. Similarly, after the release of The Summoning, a section of their fanbase dubbed Sleep Token “metal’s sexiest band,” largely thanks to lyrics such as

"THEIR MUSIC TRANSCENDS THEIR PERSONALITIES" SLEEP TOKEN FAN CASSIE KNOX

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“THERE ARE SECRETS LEFT TO BE UNCOVERED”

Daniel Owen is the man behind the artwork of Sleep Token’s first two albums, 2019’s Sundowning and 2021’s This Place Will Become Your Tomb.

WHEN DID YOU FIRST COME INTO CONTACT WITH SLEEP TOKEN?

“Around early 2018. I ended up becoming one of their lead visual creatives from [that year’s single] Jaws through to This Place Will Become Your Tomb, and some initial development on Take Me Back To Eden.”

HOW MUCH OF A BRIEF WERE YOU GIVEN IN EACH CASE?

“The briefs behind each project have varied greatly in scope, but usually only restricted to a few lines – in the case of Sundowning per song - or a paragraph to explore the central idea of This Place Will Become Your Tomb. Symbolism throughout history has always been a communication method that encapsulates a sense of power and reverence; my work for the project has always aimed to champion atmosphere while masking a considerable amount of intention below the surface. “One example would be the Sundowning sigils as a whole: being informed by the passing of time and mirroring the positions of a clock face, referencing the namesake of the album. Individually, each sigil was a cipher I'd developed that represented a hidden selection of elements relating to the singles that later served as artwork – eventually all would be removed from streaming services and become an intentionally forgotten to reflect one of the central themes of Sundowning and its primary cover. A beautiful part of working with a band is that there's an unparalleled level of bravery involved with taking the kinds of creative choices that many are too hesitant to pursue.”

SLEEP TOKEN PUT HIDDEN ‘CODES’ IN THEIR SONGS AND IMAGES. ARE THERE ANY SECRETS IN YOUR ARTWORK THAT FANS STILL HAVEN’T DISCOVERED?

“There’s certainly some things I’ve left seeded within my work that’s ready to be pulled from the future if I’m called upon. There are still some secrets left to be uncovered.”

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‘Or are you really here to cut me off? Or maybe just to turn me on’ and ‘I would be lying if I told you that I didn’t think that I could be your man / Or maybe make a good girl bad,’ combined with a raunchy bass drop in the song’s second half. This sexiness is something the band have leaned into on this US tour. During The Offering, members have been seemingly kissing through the masks, reportedly prompting a suitably ecstatic reaction from the crowd each time.

There are other, more wholesome displays of fandom, from fluffy crochet plushies to homemade necklaces. A video of guitarist IV putting on a cowboy hat given to him by an audience member at a gig in Dallas has yielded close to two million views on TikTok. Back at the barrier at the El Rey stands Cassie Knox, who has come to LA from Houston, Texas. Cassie has now seen the band eight times, including at Radar in the UK.

“Sleep Token have a big thing about community,” she says matter-of-factly, when we ask whether it gets lonely following the band on tour. “I met two girls last night in San Diego, they’re here with me and we’re also going to Anaheim [the next gig on the tour].”

While every fan has a personal answer for what Sleep Token mean to them, Cassie’s response seems to be shared by many. “They taught me self-love,” she says, holding a sign stating as much.

In May, shortly before the release of Take Me Back To Eden, several select fans were invited to an exclusive listening session for the album in London. Chris Lloyd, who runs the Sleep Token subreddit, was one of them. He won’t divulge too many details of the event, but offers an anecdote that highlights the band’s dedication to keeping their enigma intact.

“We got there and there was just this stage with curtains,” he says. “They opened at the start of the album and we thought there was a Vessel mannequin just in a chair. It was really dark and there were loads of smoke, but it was really exciting. Then right at the very end of the session, the ‘mannequin’ stood up and it was actually Vessel – he’d just sat perfectly still the whole time! It was insane.”

The band show no sign of changing their minds when it comes to preserving their mystique. Hammer’s request for an interview with Vessel is, predictably, turned down. But this anonymity is something that their devotees embrace. The golden rule of Sleep Token fandom is to never, under any circumstances, divulge or speculate on the members’ real-life identities. Still, that hasn’t stopped some people trying.

“The mystery surrounding the band will always be a key element that draws people in,” says Discord mod Benji Purdy. “It’s a rabbit hole and people love diving into them. But I have found that since [2021 album] This Place Will Become Your Tomb, there has been a culture shift within the fanbase between those who want to respect the band’s wishes to stay anonymous, and those who have a general lack of respect and think the band don’t care.”

This ring of secrecy is intact today. Before the show, Hammer is sitting at a table in the taco restaurant adjacent to the El Rey. We can hear and see the security manager briefing in front of the venue.

“Tonight’s show is Sleep Token,” the security manager says, marching along his ranks like a general on the eve of battle. “Their whole deal is that they are anonymous. If anybody – anybody – tries to go where they shouldn’t, you MUST. STOP. THEM.”

In reality, transgression seems to be the furthest thing from anyone’s mind. The people queuing outside the El Rey are here to Worship, after all.

“Their music transcends their personalities as individuals,” Cassie Knox tells us. “Everybody has a part in this music, and from the messages that the band have put out, it seems like that’s exactly what he [Vessel] wanted.”

By the time the doors open, the excitement is palpable. Airport-style security gates mean everyone is thoroughly searched before entry and it seems half the audience has brought along trinkets, gifts and signs in their own expression of Worship. One fan has turned up with a bouquet of roses so big it is seen engulfed her head. They all make it through security without issue.

While some fans have been dressing up in full Vessel cosplay elsewhere on the tour, there’s no such regalia tonight, although many have covered their faces with painted Sleep Token sigils. Equally, it’s striking just how youthful the crowd is as a whole.

“It’s been like this the whole tour,” reveals Matt de Burgh Daly, guitarist/keyboardsist with support A.A. Williams, as he sits down next to Hammer to grab a bite pre-show. Williams and her band previously supported Sleep Token on their 2021 UK tour, and now they’re on these US dates, suggesting they’re within the headliners’ circle of trust.

“It’s funny actually,” Matt says between taco bites. “This is actually one of the smaller shows on the tour, I think. But we’re pretty nervous.”

Oh?

“Yeah, our drummer’s broken his arm – he’s having to play Def Leppard style!”

With its art deco exterior, crystal light fixtures, chandeliers and blood red decor, the El Rey Theatre feels more like it should be hosting a seance than a metal show. It’s not your typical dive venue. But where Sleep Token aren’t your typical metal band, sonically or visually.

From Hammer’s vantage point, a dark balcony overlooking the main floor, it looks like nearly everyone is adorned in some kind of Sleep Token memorabilia, be it t-shirts, hoodies, or even smaller items like necklaces or homemade earrings. A queue stretches from the merch stand to the barrier throughout the entirety of A.A. Williams’ set and right up until Sleep Token themselves appear.

Sure enough, the headliners’ arrival elicits a frenzy of activity. An extended shriek of pure ecstasy greets the band as they march onto the stage, and it’s not long before the audience is singing along ardently, tears literally streaming from some fans’ eyes.

Detractors may point to the prevalence of piano ballads in Sleep Token’s sound, but there’s no shortage of heft in tonight’s set. Chokehold is explosive, its pendulum riffs cutting through the air like a buzzsaw. Hypnosis has the booming, almost floating menace of a great Deftones track, fans waving their arms wildly throughout.

Even in terms of physical presence, there’s a marked difference from the band that toured in support of 2021’s This Place Will Become Your Tomb. Back then, Vessel seemed like a solid, rooted entity, his movements stiff and minimal, clinging to the mic-stand like he was tethered to it. This time out, he’s a ball of kinetic energy, bouncing, dancing and stalking his way backwards and forwards across the stage, even dropping to do push-ups during The Summoning. Bassist III and guitarist IV are similarly lively, headbanging furiously and commanding circle pits and walls of death with finger gestures and head nods.

The Take Me Back To Eden songs are especially visceral live. Vessel skitters across the stage during Vore like someone having an ancient entity, switching between howls and soulful melodies before intoning the song’s key lyric: ‘I want to give you all, but nobody else will ever go?’

For all the excitement, background chatter falls away completely when segments of conversation between Vessel and Sleep play out. The distorted voices discuss everything from the fandom to the role the masks play in their mythology.

“In order for all of this to work there has to be a certain boundary in place,” Vessel says, his unearthly, pre-recorded voice spilling from the speakers. “They need to be able to project themselves onto this, without anyone else’s identity getting in the way. In turn, I need to be able to show my true self to them in a way that does not compromise their ability to connect.”

There’s certainly no shortage of connection as fans roar along to the likes of The Summoning, The Love You Want and Alkaline, some moved to tears as the music takes on new dimensions, the closing rave-metal thrust of The Offering ending the night on an exultant and triumphant note, before Vessel clasps his hands in thanks as Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me) plays incongruously over the PA.

So where next for Sleep Token? In a year where they have notched up a Top 10 album in the UK – Take Me Back To Eden peaked at No 3 – and sold out venues around the world, it’s hard to say exactly where the ceiling could be for them.

“I could easily see them playing arenas here in the States within two years,” Benji states. “The demand here is insane – as seen by the number of people who’ve lined up at every almost every show of this tour.”

For a British metal band to break into the US market is no mean feat, and the buzz and excitement Sleep Token are generating here is starting to catch up with the noise that surrounds them back home.

Equally, their pop sensibilities enable them to serve as a gateway, their success on TikTok showing they don’t just appeal within the metal sphere, but to wider audiences whom then tumble further down the metal rabbit-hole after discovering them.

Uniting newcomers and dyed-in-the-wool metalheads alike, Sleep Token are a new breed of band, transcending genre boundaries by simply refusing to stay in one, and backed up by a mystery and spectacle all their own. They are as at home supporting Slipknot and Architects as they are appearing at festivals like Reading and Leeds – testament to just how influential and breakout they’ve become.

Crazy as it may seem, 2024 will likely be an even bigger year for Sleep Token, and they’ve already booked some of the world’s most iconic venues in that period. With Wembley Arena and Alexandra Palace shows in the diary for next April, Sleep Token will be looking to cement their place at the top of the mountain. How long before the Worship of Sleep Token becomes a religion?

SLEEP TOKEN PLAY WEMBLEY ARENA ON DECEMBER 16. TAKE ME BACK TO EDEN IS OUT NOW VIA SPINEFARM

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MASKS REVEAL THE ARTIST’S VISION

Mario Garvera and Beatrice Rebondi are MysteryStar, an art studio specialising in masks, costumes and accessories. They also created the Vessel mask

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND IN MASK-MAKING?

“We’ve always been drawn to the dramatic and theatrical aspects of expression, along with our shared love of music. We have produced thousands of pieces together over the decades. We never make replicas of our masks; they are, and always will be, one-off characters, created especially and never to be repeated.”

HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED WITH SLEEP TOKEN?

“In early 2019 they were looking for a workable mask, as they hadn’t found anything wearable that could work onstage yet. We provided [Vessel and Sleep Token’s management] with several sketches and worked out together how to keep Vessel’s character essence and vision, while creating something that could work on a human head and be practical onstage.”

WHAT WERE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES?

“It took several modifications, especially around the shape of the head. We had to accommodate certain parts of Vessel was adamant were integral parts of the full-face mask for the photoshoots and a mouth - less one for tge stage perfomances. These were the first two masks that we made for Vessel.”

WHY DO YOU THINK WE FIND MASKED BANDS SO FASCINATING?

“Masks have always been important to humans since perhaps the beginnings of civilisation. Ancient tribes created masks, for recounting their history and transmitting knowledge of their young; for healings and for warding off their enemies. In addition, it could be because masks are a created expression of the artist – the one - who created it, as well as the one who wears it – and as such reveal something of the artist’s mind and their vision.”

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Transcription English Version from theforbiddeneden

[mariacallous]

A federal appeals court upheld a law that could result in TikTok being banned in the United States by the middle of next month, putting the future of one of the largest social media platforms in the country at risk. Citing national security concerns the Justice Department raised about the Chinese-owned app, a panel of judges on the US Court of Appeals in Washington DC decided in a 3:0 vote that the law could stand and TikTok could still be banned in the United States next year.

“We conclude the portions of the Act the petitioners have standing to challenge, that is the provisions concerning TikTok and its related entities, survive constitutional scrutiny. We therefore deny the petitions,” judge Douglas Ginsburg wrote in the court’s majority opinion on Friday. “Consequently, TikTok’s millions of users will need to find alternative media of communication.”

The case will likely now go to the Supreme Court, which could take it on or allow the appeals ruling to stand. Either way, the decision is likely to present questions for President-elect Donald Trump, who first tried banning TikTok in 2020 but more recently said he opposed the move because it would help the video platform’s competitor, Meta.

“The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans' right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue,” TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes said in a statement. “Unfortunately, the TikTok ban was conceived and pushed through based upon inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information, resulting in outright censorship of the American people.”

The Trump transition team and the Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment from WIRED.

TikTok filed the lawsuit in May after President Biden signed into law the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), which forces ByteDance to sell TikTok’s US operations to a non-Chinese company by January 19 or see its app blocked from app stores in the country. TikTok argued that the law singles out TikTok because of the content on the platform, violating the First Amendment. A coalition of TikTok creators also joined the case, saying that their free speech rights would be infringed upon if over 170 million Americans are forced to leave the platform.

The appeals court ruled today that the PAFACA does not violate TikTok’s free speech rights.

“The Government does not suppress content or require a certain mix of content. Indeed, content on the platform could in principle remain unchanged after divestiture, and people in the United States would remain free to read and share as much PRC propaganda (or any other content) as they desire on TikTok or any other platform of their choosing,” Ginsburg wrote in the majority opinion.

“Congress judged it necessary to assume that risk given the grave national-security threats it perceived. And because the record reflects that Congress’s decision was considered, consistent with longstanding regulatory practice, and devoid of an institutional aim to suppress particular messages or ideas, we are not in a position to set it aside,” the concurring opinion by judge Sri Srinivasan said.

Both the US Department of Justice and TikTok have previously requested an accelerated ruling to come out by today. Since the law is upheld, the TikTok ban could take effect as soon as one day before Trump is inaugurated next month.

In reality, the app is most likely to survive a few more months. A 90-day extension of the deadline remains on the table for the Biden administration, which would leave the issue in Trump’s hands. What’s more certain to happen is that ByteDance would appeal the court decision today and take it to the Supreme Court next, which is expected to take the case and issue its decision later next year.

Friday's ruling will not come as a surprise to people who have been watching the case. In the oral arguments in front of the Appeals Court back in September, the judges appeared to have already bought the idea that the app poses a valid national security concern for the US. The remaining open question was whether a ban was an overcorrection that caused more relative harm to freedom of speech. The judges said definitively today that the answer to that was no.

“Courts tend to give wide latitude to the executive branch on issues of national security,” says Dewardric McNeal, a former Department of Defense official and the current the managing director of DC-based consultancy Longview Global. While Congress can theoretically repeal the PAFACA Act, it will be a tough case for Trump to convince them to do so because there’s a “large majority of the people on Capitol Hill who supported this law,” McNeal says.

In order to save TikTok, Trump could use powers of the executive branch to his advantage. “​​While you cannot completely disregard the law, you can decide how heavy you want to focus on the prosecution of the law, and how aggressively you want to execute the law,” McNeal says.

Alan Rozenshtein, an associate professor of law at the University of Minnesota Law School, told WIRED earlier that the PAFACA Act is written so that the US president gets to decide whether TikTok is “no longer being controlled by a foreign adversary.” This carve out could create a legal path for the Trump administration to allow TikTok to continue operating in the US.

An alternative scenario that would allow Trump to avoid causing controversy with his Republican allies in Congress would be brokering a deal for TikTok to be sold to an American investor. At least two prominent bids to buy the app have already emerged, including one from Steven Mnuchin, the former US Treasury secretary, and Frank McCourt, an American real estate investor.

[bisluthq]

https://www.tumblr.com/bisluthq/768944837460377600/httpswwwtumblrcombisluthq768929573796790272

Resident music history nerd again.

So yeah, those contracts usually suck and it goes back to what I said earlier with using the artist as a cash cow and then once they earn their spots, they can negotiate a better second deal. A lot of the tv talent show contracts suck, the very first winner of project runway, Jay Mccaroll caused quite a stir because he turned down the grand prize of a $100,000 mentorship program & spot at NYFW, because the show (or whatever entity was behind the prize) would be granted 10% of all future earnings as a designer.

Idol and those other shows are a bit of a blessing and a curse. Idol was an absolute sensation though, so they had a huge audience when they launched (at least in the countries’ versions I’m familiar with) and many had a good career, some have truly lasted like Kelly Clarkson. I believe it varied country to country, the winner in New Zealand wasn’t being signed to the big American team even if it was the same label, but contracts for the first few seasons were treated like other game show prizes - have it be a prize, but the budget is based on the predicted profits for the advertising the show would make. It was great for the record labels because they didn’t need to invest in developing the artists, and it was a popularity contest so there was significant less risk signing then over a new artist no one has heard of and wondering if they’ll have fans. They also had the next season of the show to promote the last winner/s. Kelly Clarkson notoriously had to fight the label though to get songs she wanted (she was getting the Disney star treatment of them saying what to record and she pushed back because it wasn’t her style) she also had to fight to be able to cowrite her songs and shape her message, both with the label and then dr Luke later on when she rewrote lyrics to one of his songs to make it fit her.

Anyway, idol was new and exciting and because it was a family show, the contestants often launched with a diverse audience and then shaped their audience later which for some was a blessing, others a curse - Adam lambert for example toned himself down and presented more as an emo adjacent glam rocker, which was a smart move to get a foot in the door. But the audience of dads who liked this guy who was meant to be the modern day answer to classic Bon jovi, kiss and poison, etc, were not all on board when he wanted to make dance pop with rock elements, and I can’t think of a sensitive way to say it but when he was more outwardly expressive of his sexuality, a lot of people turned on him. At the same time though, there was an audience who saw him on tv and knew and were waiting and so ready for him to do his thing. And now he’s the lead singer for Queen, so he has the audience of dads again going to see him live but not touching his new music - he’s a fascinating case study on society more than the music industry though.

Social media and streaming killed the talent show phenomenon though. It likely would’ve become boring on its own, but Sandi Thom was launched via MySpace - Taylor got a lot out of MySpace but it wasn’t her discovery method, Justin was found on YouTube all within 6 years of idol launching. This became direct competition for the talent shows, but wasn’t a huge issue until around 2013 when quite a few artists were discovered on YouTube. Now it’s a totally different landscape with TikTok and families not watching tv together in the same way - it’s more common for everyone to watch something different on their iPads than to gather around the tv and enjoy something together which was part of the magic of idol.

The americas got talent and the voice winners though, they were always at a disadvantage compared to X factor and idol because the shows are significantly shorter and never let people feel like they knew the singers. By the time they crowned a winner most of them hadn’t performed a full 30 minutes and only had their intro video and then short interviews before and after a performance. And the AGT people were competing with comedians, dancers, fire breathers… it wasn’t a good metric to see how they’d fair in the music industry and the prize was a performing contract, not a recording one. Idol was so big for a while they had a spin off show that was like big brother, showing what they got up to during the week in the share house!

I personally think the singers on the voice would’ve been better winning a money prize instead of a recording contract, because the contract just needed to be less than the advertising profit for the show. Of course the label wanted the next superstar, but they usually rushed an album out within a few months of winning and only seemed to support the artist in kind to how much the public rallied behind the album, instead of really giving them a chance.

Sorry, I’ve gone on a lot of tangents and can’t remember where I wanted to end up lol 😂

I guess the TLDR would be: tv show contracts were a game show prize. Some did really well, but if they didn’t do really well they were dropped and not given a chance. They could get away with shittiest contracts too because the artists usually had no industry experience or knowledge, and the contract was a three way between the label, tv show and artist.

Oh and then there are the sunset clauses and non compete clauses too, so even if you’re dropped from your label you might not be able to sign another deal for a few years even if someone wants you - just look at Kesha, Cher, and “the artist formerly known as Prince”.

I’m gonna stop writing now 🫣

see, I also think there are just too many of these shows and there have been too many for a long time. Like you say, people were into Idol and it did start a few great careers (and yes I think a lot of the early winners got suckered into shitty deals because they didn’t know better but also here was enough interest and good will for it to mostly work) but now there are just too many winners on too many shows for people to give a fuck (even if they do watch). Like you might enjoy watching The Voice because you like the coaches and the concept and the performances but not be invested to the point of streaming music. I also think your point on not knowing the artists long enough on most of these shows is a good point and imo (aside from the fact that a lot of the acts are shitty) why Eurovision doesn’t launch that many careers. It might be fun to watch but people don’t necessarily have the time or energy to get invested. Which also brings me to the news cycle being so fickle as a whole because the other thing is these days even blowing up on TikTok and having a trending sound for half a second really doesn’t equate to longevity or people actually giving a fuck. There’s just too much content. And I guess there was always a risk of blowing up with one or two songs and not really having the support or the know how to make that into a career and not getting label support and even being sabotaged by the label as you said to make you keep touring and keep churning shit out but these days because content is so accessible, one or two songs people like doesn’t even necessarily equate to people going to watch live shows. It’s tricky. You also obviously can monetize your own original content in a way that’s MORE empowering for artists these days because you can own all your TikToks and YouTube videos and shit and get paid by those and do pretty well but that also makes labels I think even less likely to spend money on promoting you unless they’re confident in your brand and that’s… tough.

[pink-strawberry-kissess]

It's honestly sad that a story can't be told without having to literally spell everything out for the audience nowadays. People are either unable to or refuse to see any subtle messages. We've regressed to a child's reading level.

Capcom removed Leon holding Ashley's hand because they didn't want people to interpret their relationship as romantic. People still ship it. Luis was part of the team that created Nemesis (you know, that thing that almost killed Jill Valentine!? but that's okay we forgive him because he tried to make up for it and is hot) and people ship that because Leon held his hand while HE WAS DYING so obviously Capcom must ship them because if they didn't, they would've removed that too! There could be no other explanation for holding a dying person's hand. Like ship what you want, so long as you're not shoving down others' throats or proclaiming it to be canon when its not.

I think I get it now when you said that the fandom ruined Claire for you. Because now the fandom has ruined Luis for me. No one wants to acknowledge the bad things he did or how he's an interesting combination of contradictions that define him as a grey character. No one wants to question if he actually did enough to redeem himself or not, he's just instantly forgiven. Sorry to rant, I'm just finally fed up with (the majority of) this fandom.

yeaaah...

let me be PAINFULLY CLEAR with what i'm gonna say

I DON'T GIVE A SHIT WHO YOU SHIP WITH WHO

i have my own opinions and facts that are based on the CANON of the games/movies (not the anderson ones, those are a separate entity) and those FACTS have lead me to the storyline/outcome that capcom has been working on for +25 years. YOU are free to ship whoever you want, and I am allowed to dislike them/and think whatever i want about them. [read here for my in-depth analysis]

People are either unable to or refuse to see any subtle messages. We've regressed to a child's reading level.

I think that we've really dumbed down stories. Particularly with how a lot of East Asian (Japanese, anime, manga, games) have been specifically dumbing them down for "american audiences." (I'm not american so I don't fall under that category hehe) even things from back in the 90s with games, they made games EVEN dumber because they thought american audiences could not understand J RPGs.

A lot of media that is made for (and also american audiences) will say clearly what and HOW they (THE CREATORS) want their story to be interpreted and understood. It's one thing to leave things up for interpretation; especially for things that do not matter in the grand scheme of things.

but when capcom is CLEAR about their intentions, and you BLATANTLY IGNORE THEM, that's just being ignorant and misread. If you take in media and actively choose to go against what is intended and misconstrue it to fit with your narrative; you fundamentally do not understand storytelling or have some sort of comprehension problem.

Like ship what you want, so long as you're not shoving down others' throats or proclaiming it to be canon when its not.

I've seen so many people on twitter/tiktok etc with just the WORST takes. The the hand holding removal for Ashley, and then the subsequent "hand holding" for Luis was meant for it to be interpreted as romantic. Now half the time, I wonder if people are just trolling. There's no way in hell that Leon "holding" Luis' hand while he was DYING is meant to be interpreted as romantic. furthermore, it was also "debunked" that Leon only held his hand to wrap the lighter around his (Luis) fingers as more symbolic of letting Luis have his choices. Leon telling him earlier, "you know those things will kill ya," was not only code for Luis to figure out if Leon was helping him or not, it was also Leon being genuine that he didn't condone his smoking.

Leon taking the lighter and lighting Luis' cigarette for him and holding the lighter in his hand is giving back his choice. Letting Luis die with dignity and with how Luis would've wanted to die.

Sometimes, when the writer says the curtains are blue. THAT'S IT. They're just blue. Leon was just helping Luis with his final moments. THAT'S IT. It was never romantic, and it was never supposed to be interpreted as romantic.

I think I get it now when you said that the fandom ruined Claire for you. Because now the fandom has ruined Luis for me. No one wants to acknowledge the bad things he did or how he's an interesting combination of contradictions that define him as a grey character. No one wants to question if he actually did enough to redeem himself or not, he's just instantly forgiven. Sorry to rant, I'm just finally fed up with (the majority of) this fandom.

now you are FREE to interpret whatever headcanons you have!!

i think they're FINE AND FUN. i also love to write headcanons. but when you take canon and interpret it in a completely wrong way, and try to use that as evidence, you just seem foolish. especially when you double down on that. will chreon ever happen? NO PROBABLY NOT. I don't care! have fun with it! Serrenndy? Well I mean he's dead so whatever. Cleon? Nope, they already killed that and yall should even be mad at the VA for Claire for even bothering to tease that considering the "Fall scene" was never planned and she specifically put that in as "fan service" for the cleon fans because she knew the ship was dead. You really want someone who teases you like that? I dunno, what's the word you all like to use so often.. toxic?

i don't care about the other ships! i think everyone is free to enjoy whatever! except for you leon x sherry fans. yall need jail. people are who into lashley and also in their +30s also you need to be on some sort of list.

i've never hated these ships. UNTIL THE FANS TOOK OVER. they are aggressive, they frankly will use every single racist, misogynistic thing they can think of to hate Ada. They will victim blame, and prop Leon up to this perfect man who can't do anything wrong, and had been SO WRONGED by Ada. They want to baby him and "never let anything bad" happen to him ever again.

i have RARELY seen a take about serrenndy, lashley, cleon, etc. that hasn't spent a LARGE MAJORITY OF THEIR TIME HATING ADA.

Chreon, metaltango and a few other of the Leon x Male C ones I've seen either also enjoy Ada or just don't talk about her in general.

tl;dr i don't care what you ship, but the shippers have fundamentally misunderstood the games and use "canon" as their backing for their own fanon ships and generally tend to be the aggressors online to the point where aeon places are no longer safe.

Shippers have RUINED their own ships and characters for me to the point where I do not enjoy them anymore.

[newengen]

To Ban, or Not to Ban: Our Take on How Marketers Should Be Thinking About TikTok

The Latest TikTok News

Tensions between TikTok and the U.S. government came to a head this month after the Biden administration threatened to ban the app should the company refuse to divest from its Chinese-owned parent company, ByteDance. The escalation comes amidst warnings from U.S. lawmakers that China’s investment in TikTok poses a threat to national security and opens the door for the Chinese government to influence content moderation on the platform.

To top it all off, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew faced Congress last Thursday and attempted to reassure U.S. lawmakers that the company has implemented measures to address their concerns. Central to Chew’s defense was TikTok’s plan to roll out what it calls “Project Texas” - a $1.5 billion project to migrate American user data to Texas-based Oracle. In another key moment, Chew rebutted accusations that TikTok’s algorithm has adverse effects on kids by pointing to steps the company has taken to protect its younger users.

A Marketing Perspective

Apart from the political drama, TikTok also made headlines this month after its announcement that 150 million American users are on the platform. The app’s popularity and influence are undeniable, and marketers are uniquely aware of this: there’s an appetite for short-form video that won’t be curbed by a TikTok ban. An eMarketer survey from November 2022 found that 63% of TikTok users would move to another platform, with Instagram being the favored alternative. And these platforms are already evolving their video capabilities to meet consumer demand - Instagram introduced 90-second videos last year, and Meta recently followed suit.

So, What Does TikTok Have to Say About All of This?

In response to last Thursday’s hearing, TikTok circulated a Myth vs. Fact Sheet, which counters what the company calls inaccuracies surrounding its ownership, content moderation, and data security. A few notable examples, transcribed directly from the document, include:

“Myth: TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance Ltd., is Chinese-owned.*

Fact: TikTok’s parent company ByteDance Ltd. was founded by Chinese entrepreneurs, but today, roughly sixty percent of the company is beneficially owned by global institutional investors such as Carlyle Group, General Atlantic, and Susquehanna International Group. An additional twenty percent of the company is owned by ByteDance employees around the world, including nearly seven thousand Americans. The remaining twenty percent is owned by the company's founder, who is a private individual and is not part of any state or government entity.”

*Despite TikTok’s attempt at myth-busting ByteDance’s association with the Chinese government, it has been reported that "golden shares" give the Chinese government the ability to appoint a seat on the company's board.

“Myth: TikTok manipulates content in a way that benefits the Chinese government or harms American interests.

Fact: TikTok is an entertainment app. The content on TikTok is generated by our community. TikTok does not permit any government to influence or change its recommendation model.

Myth: TikTok collects a significant amount of sensitive data on its users.

Fact: TikTok's privacy policy fully describes the data the company collects. There have been many inaccurate claims about our policies and practices that have gone unaddressed by the media. To be clear, the current versions of the TikTok app do NOT:

*Monitor keystrokes or content of what people type when they use our in-app browser on third-party websites;

Collect precise or approximate GPS location in the U.S.;

Use face or voice prints to identify individuals.

In line with industry practices and as explained in our privacy policy, we collect information to help the app function, operate securely, and improve the user experience. We constantly update our app and encourage users to download the most current version of TikTok.”

*This talking point conveniently omits what happens off the app via TikTok browser trackers, or “pixels.” But more on that in a minute.

Formalities aside, TikTok knows that the best way to reach an audience is, well, through TikTok. Ahead of his testimony on March 23rd, Chew appeared on TikTok’s verified account to address his upcoming congressional hearing and remind users of what’s at stake - that a ban could “take TikTok away” from 150 million users, 5 million business accounts, and 7,000 U.S.-based TikTok employees.

Creators Sounding the Alarm

TikTok has found support from its creators, who have taken to the platform to sound the alarm about what a ban, in the form of the S. 686 RESTRICT Act, would mean. One example comes from creator @sayheyjames, who recently published a video that generated 12.2 million video views and 2 million likes in the span of a week. In this video, he calls out elements of the bill that he says will “fundamentally change” how we use the internet, like the proposed legal consequences of using VPNs to access banned apps and the ban on hardware manufactured by “foreign adversaries” (including China, Russia, and Iran).

There are countless examples of this type of content, with trending hashtags like #tiktokban accumulating 2 billion views. Given how much creators have to lose in this debate, it’s no surprise that they’re leveraging the platform to create a sense of urgency around the issue.

Making Sense of it All

It’s near impossible to predict what happens next because there’s no playbook on how to best navigate the aftermath of a ban on a platform like TikTok. Kevin Goodwin, VP of Performance Marketing at New Engen, offers some perspective:

“Precedent matters. We have zero precedent for a nationwide ban of such a popular technology and entertainment platform. Since we’ve never seen it happen before, all marketers are skeptical that TikTok will be the first to pay the price. Take Meta and Google for example - they consistently face legislative pressure for specific products and ways of working (albeit on a smaller scale), yet have never been materially impacted in their ability to provide products to users and advertisers.”

On top of the legal and political complexities of a theoretical TikTok ban, the cultural and economic implications are massive. New Engen VP of Performance Marketing, Adam Telian, puts it plainly,

TikTok has done an amazing job of creating demand for a specific type of content which, it seems, a good portion of the world can’t get enough of. Our position is that, even if TikTok gets banned, the format and the attention it demands isn’t going anywhere.

Another key piece of the equation is TikTok creators, who help differentiate the platform from other major social media players. This is why New Engen leaders are asking, “what will happen with creators?” Many creators are already operating cross-platform, but those with an outsized presence on TikTok are at risk of losing potency in their existing brand partnerships. It will be incumbent on brands to diversify their influencer partnerships and plan accordingly for a creator migration to Reels, Shorts, and Triller (or maybe a resurrected Vine) in the wake of a TikTok ban.

“Once we figure out where the creators are moving,” Adam Telian says, “it will be up to the platform to prove they can retain user attention, and deliver the same results and consistent innovation we've seen from TikTok.”

Actions for Marketers (Whether You’re on TikTok Yet or Not)

For the time being, there are several actions marketers can take to leverage TikTok as it exists today.

New Engen Clients Operating on TikTok

These clients are embracing a business-as-usual approach to their TikTok strategy, but they’re also prepared to be agile and flexible as the situation unfolds. Kevin Goodwin explains, “We continue to recommend brands take a diversified channel strategy and approach to short-form video to hedge any extreme risk. We want to avoid the rare scenario where the government bans TikTok and one of our clients suddenly has 50%+ of their revenue at risk.”

In practice, this means incorporating Instagram Reels and Youtube Shorts into short-form video strategies, and, as mentioned above, ensuring that content creator programs aren’t over-dependent on the TikTok app and its toolset.

New Engen Clients Not Yet on TikTok

We are advising clients who are not yet on TikTok to move forward with their investment. “Even if TikTok does get banned,” Adam Telian explains, “clients can be using this time to refine their creative approach and learn how to unlock meaningful performance that should translate to whichever platform fills the vacuum created by a ban. And if it doesn’t get banned, then they’re ahead of where they would be if they chose to wait for the dust to settle."

New Engen Clients Concerned About Data Privacy

Anna Otieno, Head of Research & Insights at New Engen, reminds us, “Privacy and security are the top concerns right now, particularly for companies and government institutions. As we head into a world of cookie-less advertising and first-party data, control is key.” She notes that, regarding TikTok, “It’s been confirmed that the app - like Google and Meta - gathers information about people as they move around the internet. TikTok partners with companies that embed tiny website trackers “pixels” to better measure and target ads - usually without user notification.”

With this in mind, some New Engen clients have chosen to refrain from implementing TikTok’s tracking pixel. This allows brands to maintain their presence on the platform without compromising their first-party data.

It’s important to note, however, that creators tend to have a difference of opinion on this front. Anna Otieno tells us that, "While privacy and security are important to TikTok users, content creators are less concerned given the tradeoff. In fact, most social media users know that their data is tracked and shared to make sure ‘the algorithm is working.’ TikTok’s remixed creator fund, known as the Creativity Program Beta, aims to help creators “generate higher revenue potential.” What’s the price of opportunity and revenue? Data."

[longwindedbore]

This proposed law allegedly directed at the foreign ownership of TikTok would be used by a President to unilaterally close down any social media platform including Tumblr.

It has bipartisan support in the Senate. Many of the proponents own stock in and have received campaign donations from US competitors of TikTok.

What wasn’t presented at the hearing re TokTok on March 23, 2023 was any National Security concerns regarding actual past current or potential future feasible cyber-threats.

What we did see:

Aging Legislators who acknowledged that they didn’t know that their phones connected to the WiFi.

Aging legislators who complained about prurient or pornographic images on their FYP while totally oblivious to the fact that EVERYONE ELSE ALL KNOW how the algorithm program directed those images to the legislators’ page in the first place

Questions fired at the CEO of TikTok without allowing him even 30 seconds to answer

Aging legislators angrily demanding ‘Yes or No Only’ answers to complex technical questions someone else obviously wrote out for them but the jargon for which they could barely pronounce.

Virtually no follow up questions. Which is normal unless the interlocutors have only superficial knowledge of the topic.

These legislators televised these revelations to a dumbfounded world watching on social media.

If you weren’t on social media and still ‘follow a news outlet’, the news entities praised the ‘righteous grilling’ of the ‘sinister’ Asian.

The six corporate news entities which own 90% of all outlets share the same hedge funds as major stock holders with each other as well as with Meta/FacebookGoogle, Twitter, etc. Meta alone spent a reported $20 million lobbying for a ban on TikTok.

Anything to reclaim the 150 million US users of TikTok lost to Major networks and other social media.

Corporate American doesn’t understand is that their 24 hour news cycle is built on getting constant viewership developing addiction to HATE and ANGER that has driven Americans away.

TikTok’s and Tumblr’s algorithms let you curate your own interests. As well as find like minded people who share your political or social issues. Or avoid them.

[controlledchaosetc]

ok but that's just completely false. you realize that's not why, right?

Let me start off by saying: THIS IS NOT ME SUPPORTING WHAT THEY ARE DOING. THIS IS NOT ME SUPPORTING TIKTOK EITHER. THIS IS NOT ME SUPPORTING THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NOT ME SUPPORTING ISRAEL OR BEING ANTI-PALESTINE. I fully fucking understand the nuance, and I don't want to be misconstrued right out of the gate.

With that out of the way, this has EVERYTHING to do with a fear of China and the Chinese government, and leaning more towards sinophobia than ANYTHING to do with Palestine.

Tiktok is owned by ByteDance, which is a primarily Chinese company. This is the first time any sort of Chinese app (or any international app for that matter) has truly gained such a HUGE foothold in the US. Over 100 million people use Tiktok in the US alone, which is big big numbers for a tech product from a country that whose previous largest social media tech products were specifically for their own national market (due to needing to split national and international products into 2 to comply with government censorship laws, and most international products not getting near the level of success Tiktok is enjoying. I'm also not mentioning Tencent and their gaming stakes here, talking solely about social media platforms). Now, the Chinese government has a small share of ByteDance (they DO NOT OWN IT TO BE CLEAR), and it is centered in Beijing. Because a Chinese company is collecting vast amounts of user data (to be clear again, every social media company does this), this is what has gotten US lawmakers worried that a perceived enemy has data and some level of influence on the American people.

This is possible, but let's be clear how fucking crazy it is that they're targeting Tiktok before dealing with, ya know, the homegrown companies that have provably shaped our elections and rage-fueled algorithmic pushes helped radicalize people for Q-Anon. It's only been US companies collecting international data, but now that it's China, everyone's clutching their goddamn pearls.

The widespread collection of personal data and ability to influence people is BAD, but it's not because it's China doing it, it's BAD IN GENERAL.

What the bill, called "Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications" (which lol lmao), does is this, according to NBC News (bc I can't do a better job saying it than what they said):

The bill, dubbed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, would create a process for the president — through the FBI and intelligence agencies — to identify certain social media applications under the control of foreign adversaries, like China, Russia, Iran and North Korea, as national security threats. Once an app was deemed a risk, it would be banned from online app stores and web-hosting services unless it severed ties with entities under control of the foreign adversary within 180 days of the designation.

Basically, if the bill passes, Tiktok will be deemed a "national security risk", and be forced to be sold (probably to an American company) or be banned from access. This is SOLELY targeting Tiktok, hence the label of it being a Tiktok ban, but important to highlight what it does outside of that.

WHAT IT DOESN'T DO IS WHAT THE MEME SAYS. It may be from the previous time this happened, but that's not what's happening this time.

Now, ByteDance doesn't fucking want this to happen because it's their crown jewel. The Chinese government doesn't want this to happen because Tiktok has made ByteDance one of the largest companies for China economically. All in all, they aren't going to fucking sell.

TL;DR: The US government is passing a law to effectively ban Tiktok unless ByteDance, it's parent company, sells it. This is because of worries that China will somehow influence the American people, which, while theoretically possible, is functionally similar to what American social media companies already do in some capacity, and based on a lot of fearmongering because oooooo China's spooky and scaryyyyy. It does NOT DO WHAT THE MEME SAYS. It has NOTHING TO DO WITH PALESTINE.

If I need to elaborate on anything, I will. There's a fuck-ton of nuance to have with all of this, and it's hard to give that in just this post. But goddamn don't spread blatant misinformation.

With all that being said: Free Palestine.

[timesofinnovation]

TikTok, the social media platform beloved by millions, is now at the center of a high-stakes legal battle that could determine its future in the United States. With approximately 170 million American users, the ramifications of a potential ban could extend far beyond the app itself, challenging fundamental beliefs about free speech, technology, and regulation in the digital age. The conflict arises from a recent law passed by the U.S. Congress, aimed at addressing national security concerns related to the app's Chinese ownership. Lawmakers fear that the Chinese government could access sensitive American user data through TikTok, posing a threat to national security. The legislation requires ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, to divest its U.S. operations by January 19, 2025, or face a comprehensive ban. TikTok's legal team is mounting a vigorous defense, arguing that the law infringes on free speech rights and represents an unprecedented governmental overreach. They contend this move contradicts America's historical stance on maintaining an open internet where innovation can flourish. Such arguments reflect concerns that the legal precedent set in this case may have far-reaching implications for tech companies operating within the framework of U.S. law. The Justice Department is defending the legality of the law by highlighting the perceived threat posed by TikTok's ownership structure. They argue that the threat of data breaches and disinformation campaigns justifies stringent action against the platform. The government's stance resonates with many who share concerns about foreign influence within American digital spaces. In recent years, scrutiny over social media platforms, particularly those owned by foreign entities, has intensified. This issue has drawn widespread media attention, especially during a politically charged environment where both presidential candidates, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, are utilizing TikTok to engage younger voters. The intersection of politics and social media raises questions about the motivations behind the legislation and whether it could inadvertently stifle voices in a platform that has been a vital outlet for youth expression and activism. During the recent hearing, a federal appeals court in Washington examined the complexities of the case. The presiding judges expressed concerns about the challenge of monitoring TikTok’s extensive codebase and verifying potential risks accurately. This detail underscores the technical difficulties involved in enforcing compliance with such regulations, illustrating that practical implementation could be fraught with challenges. Meanwhile, ByteDance has publicly stated that divesting TikTok is neither realistic nor feasible, raising concerns about its viability as a leading social media platform. The implications of a ban extend beyond ByteDance, as potential impacts could ripple through the advertising industry and cause disruptions in how brands communicate with a significant demographic of consumers. As this legal battle unfolds, many stakeholders are watching closely to gauge its outcomes. A ruling is anticipated by December 6, and should the situation escalate, the case could eventually find its way to the U.S. Supreme Court, potentially reshaping the legal landscape surrounding technology and privacy across the nation. With opinions sharply divided on the best path forward, it becomes clear that this is not just a matter of one app’s fate but a testing ground for how the United States approaches issues of national security in an increasingly interconnected world. The outcome could set critical precedents impacting the broader tech ecosystem. As the clock ticks on TikTok's future, a question lingers: will the pursuit of security undermine the very principles of free expression that the U.S. stands for? The stakes have never been higher, and the unfolding narrative will resonate far beyond the confines of a single social media platform.

[usnewsrank]

TikTok compares itself to foreign-owned American news outlets

A TikTok sign is displayed on their building in Culver City, Calif., March 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes, File) TikTok on Thursday pushed back against U.S. government arguments that the popular social media platform is not shielded by the First Amendment, comparing its platform to prominent American media organizations owned by foreign entities. Last month, the Justice Department argued…

[enterprisewired]

Biden Administration Bans Kaspersky: National Security Concerns Raised

Source – The Economic Times

Security Ban Imposed

The Biden administration made a significant announcement on Thursday, declaring a ban on Kaspersky Lab’s cybersecurity products and anti-virus software in the United States. The decision, motivated by national security apprehensions linked to the Russian company, underscores ongoing tensions over data privacy and geopolitical risks.

Rationale Behind the Ban

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo underscored that the ban follows an extensive investigation into Kaspersky’s operations, citing longstanding concerns regarding national security. The decision to prohibit Kaspersky products from the U.S. market builds upon a previous 2017 directive that restricted federal agencies from utilizing the company’s software.

“Russia has demonstrated both the capability and, more importantly, the intent to exploit Russian entities like Kaspersky to gather and weaponize the personal data of Americans,” stated Raimondo during a press briefing.

Kaspersky’s Response and Business Impact

In response to the ban, Kaspersky issued a statement refuting allegations of facilitating espionage activities. The Moscow-based firm emphasized that the Commerce Department’s decision seemed influenced by geopolitical factors rather than a comprehensive evaluation of its products’ integrity and services.

Kaspersky, which serves over 400 million users globally and more than 200,000 corporate clients, reported a revenue of $721 million in 2023, reflecting an 11% increase in net sales bookings.

Implementation and Transitional Measures

Effective September 29, the ban on Kaspersky prohibits distributing new products in the U.S., although certain services and updates will continue until that date to facilitate the transition for American consumers and businesses. The Commerce Department clarified that individuals or entities opting to retain Kaspersky products after the deadline assume all associated cybersecurity risks.

The Commerce Department elaborated on the risks posed by Kaspersky, highlighting concerns over the company’s compliance obligations to Russian authorities. This alignment, according to the department, could potentially facilitate unauthorized access to sensitive data stored on devices within the United States, raising significant national security implications.

Broader Implications and Policy Landscape

The ban on Kaspersky Lab‘s products marks a continuation of U.S. efforts to mitigate risks associated with foreign-owned technologies. Similar concerns have previously led to restrictions on apps like TikTok, reflecting heightened scrutiny over data privacy and security in the digital age.

Commerce Secretary Raimondo emphasized the evolving nature of national security threats, noting that modern security concerns increasingly center around technology and data, rather than traditional military assets.

As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, the Biden administration’s decision underscores ongoing efforts to safeguard American interests in the digital realm, setting a precedent for future regulatory actions aimed at mitigating cybersecurity risks from foreign entities.

Curious to learn more? Explore our articles on Enterprise Wired

[charlotteswebbbbb]

What's the vibe? #62

In the news!

In transport entities collaborating with brands: Made.com are collaborating with TfL similar to what Burberry are doing..."The furniture installations are at Kings Cross St. Pancras, Green Park, Piccadilly and Baker Street Underground stations." but also this ad is CGI.....

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Ice Spice is a currently the face of NYC metro cards right now, solidifying her star New Yorker status.

Multibrand retailers this week....

MyTheresa is hopefully getting a new buyer this week or next week?

New Charli XCX video - I know I talk about her a lot but she's an interesting case. Seems more authentic than Dua Lipa in her inspirations and her music videos are obviously guided with a lot of vision. Plus she’s playing arenas in the UK for the first time this year. The latest features "various hot girls" - Julia Fox, Gabriette, Chloe Cherry etc etccccc

Also in music the boys of Fontaine D.C are back - wearing Simone Rocha on US tv....

From hot girls > hot boys > what does ugly mean today > you are unique

How are hot boys defined??? They're more likely to be talent whereas the girls can be....influencers/models/talent. Beloved for their movie of the moment, the boys are now fashion forward (see: Josh O'Connor for Loewe, Jacob Elordi and his bags/Prada vibes, Troye Sivan for Miu Miu). This never includes K-Pop boys as that's it's own kind of stan/fandom (with it's own rules) which is separate from this more American/Anglosphere fame. See also: "White boy of the month" The whole picking this talented person for our moment of lusty fan-dom is more an expansion on who gets to be popular which relates to the (fluctuating) democratic idea of the internet.

There are obviously cultural differences between the UK and USA - UK where we're searching for....

Ugly being terrible to a majority of people is undebatable but we’re definitely a nation who embraces imperfection which is something to embrace. Looking unique is what we're known for on the world stage. Ugly may be a trend at the moment but I think as we move into this era of “uniqueness” people will embrace strong personality and unique face...

See: any popular actor from the UK

(Drag culture having it's mainstream moment could be a part of this but it's more like hyper-femininity on display and that and queer culture in gen has changed how sexuality is displayed in beauty and beyond over the past 20 years)

Alongside the idea that "ugliness" might become the norm in just every day fashion due to people digging more into the idea of vintage more and more - and how to learn how to define one's style. Or something that's out of today's cycle because newness will always exist but it's possible that people are more in search of the one-of-a-kind for special events.

See also:

I think this is happening but also the opposite of what Lou is arguing where sharp suits are in on one side and on the other side.....

from 2018:

Instead of gorpcore being seen as ugly, it's now like being seen as out of the time...fashion will be time melting possibly. A mix and match of things.

The portal between New York and Dublin is a new way of random human connection.

“Founded by Lithuanian artist and entrepreneur Benediktas Gylys, Portals are an invitation to meet fellow humans above borders and differences and to experience our world as it really is – united and one. The livestream of Portals provides a window between distant locations, allowing people to meet outside of their social circles and cultures.”

Also Primavera Pro this year is focusing on new ways of communication, "from how to use new platforms such as TikTok, to understanding who the new music curators are, given the changes and evolution taking place in the specialised media, thanks to the participation of influencers Anthony Fantano and Margeaux."

New ways of communication are important as how we communicate with each other is extremely important, especially in a loneliness crisis and the complex dating/socializing matrix we live within.

[taytay-the-gaybertooth]

To anyone defending the U.S.'s actions against TikTok because misinformation and bad influences are spread on the platform.

We've said the same thing about cartoons.

We've said the same thing about video games.

We've said the same thing about the Internet in general.

No social media platform is a safe space.

Many Americans and many American owned and operated businesses rely on social media as a source of income, and they'll have to start from scratch if they change platforms. Misinformation, however, is persistent, and will keep spreading no matter how many platforms you control.

If you're really, truly concerned about finding a safe space, find a good friend group you can meet with in-person and talk that way. If TikTok disappears from America, all of the problem users will just move to YouTube Shorts, Instagram Reels, or the like (assuming they aren't already on those platforms). If TikTok is bought by America, it won't help; Twitter/X and Facebook are notorious for misinformation, political bias, intentionally tasteless content, and propaganda, and attempts to "replace" these platforms have only led to more platforms with these problems. Putting the platform in the hands of another entity is just going to change who owns it.