Although the internet can be a dark and twisted place, within our culture people often share funny and uplifting videos as well to offset the negative energy. Recently, the release of the Epstein files and news of the battles inside Iran have turned the internet upside down. These very difficult topics have left people turning towards social media trends like Punch the monkey, long-form story telling, and NeeDohs for comfort.
Recently, the story of Punch, a baby monkey left alone due to the hostility of its mother, has gained a large audience online. This trend united thousands of individuals following the social media accounts of the zoo in Tokyo, Japan because the zookeepers gave Punch an IKEA plushie to serve as a stand-in for the mother who abandoned him. Hundreds of people have expressed heartfelt sympathy for the little monkey online due to his destitute circumstances. According to an article from USA Today:
“Punch immediately had the love of strangers from across the globe, many of whom rushed to the zoo to make sure he was OK. His tale of loneliness and journey toward some sense of support hit us right in the feels.”
Furthermore, after years of the internet suffering from the plague of “brain rot” content, the internet is finally opening up space for other content outside of short clips. Since videography is such a powerful tool for creative expression, this will serve as an opportunity for the internet to redeem itself and educate its user base. According to Westminster Junior Jessica Ma:
“I believe long form media is much more beneficial and less detrimental than the various examples of short form media we see in modern society today. Considering waning attention spans truly have no benefit to humanity, I would say attempting to fix this issue is positive.”
The internet has begun an effort of purification of sorts by prioritizing the production of meaningful, informative content that adds to the community rather than just garnering views.
However, even with the changes many internetgoers are pushing for, the internet is still a means of making a living for many people, and the best way to make a living is through the promotion of viral products. We have seen it before with Stanleys, Labubu’s, and Dubai chocolate. Currently, the internet’s obsession is with a fidget ice cube referred to as a NeeDoh. Needohs offer stress relief, cool designs, and unusually cheap prices for fidget toys, coming in a variety of shapes depending and marketed based on the season.
While Needohs, Punch the monkey, and the other trends sweeping the media at the moment may seem trivial, ultimately their purpose is to create a more uplifting internet environment. As Ma concludes:
“Trends have been in existence for millennia, and I believe they will continue to exist in the future of social media. Trends will always bring people together.”
The real impact of trends is not what people see on their screens, but rather the sense of community they bring to the turbulent environment of the internet.
