Something I find fascinating is how TikTok seems to be morphing slowly into YouTube. It was confirmed that the platform was experimenting with allowing some users to upload 15 minute videos last month. It started off with a time limit of 15 seconds! Also, a lot of people find that their FYP occasionally serves up content stolen wholesale from the heftier video sharing site.

It’s undeniable that the clock app shapes the cultural discourse of the internet, just like YouTube did over a decade ago (and still does). However, the viral fame it produces is just as particular to this moment in time as something like Rebecca Black’s Friday, or Charlie Bit My Finger. No matter how outrageous or stupid, we have to remember that we’re witnessing a unique point in history here. I like to think this as I slowly fry my brain with silly screenshots, like the ones below.