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Feminism: Sex and gender discussions

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Original poster

The shift on TikTok

33 replies

Annaissleeping · 12/02/2023 21:00

I've been here for years under different accounts/usernames and am used to feeling like this debate is only really happening openly here and YouTube, with mainstream media only covering the debate in a niche way. I appreciate Twitter has changed too in terms of more women standing up for themselves since JKR spoke out.

I've been on TikTok for about a year and had spotted people like Thisissavvy posting GC material and standing firm even when videos of hers were getting deleted, but mostly it has seemed to be an app dominated by Dylan Mulvaney superfans when it comes to this debate at least. I've found that aspect of it really depressing.

Anyway, something seems to have changed in recent weeks and it's so exciting. I thought there would be at least some posters here who have more sense than me in terms of not having been sucked into TikTok but who would like to know about this shift. My FYP (for you page) is suddenly full of GC women of all nationalities saying things like 'don't call me cis', only women have periods, and breaking down the trans issues for other women. They are refusing to back down whatever is then thrown at them. And there seem to be so many of them. I'm not used to so many women speaking up, the numbers doing so are increasing daily. I know the algorithm means that having watched or liked some of these videos, I am now purposely being shown similar content but I'm seeing lots of the bigger name feminist accounts also reflecting on the fact that something significant has changed. Things that used to be banned are now staying up and getting hundreds of thousands of views and lots of supportive comments. There are a few trans accounts that have well and truly pissed women off and you now cannot shut women up on there saying 'no, I'm not having this.'

I am tentatively excited - the app has got it's issues but there is the potential on there to expose lots more people to this debate. I feel like the GC community just got much bigger.

OP posts:
Sotiredofallthisnonsense · 12/02/2023 21:36

Terfs be winning

Truthlikeness · 12/02/2023 22:07

I think it was YouTube rather than TikTok, but the female construction worker's response to Dylan was particularly edifying.

Original poster
Annaissleeping · 12/02/2023 22:15

Yes that was brilliant

OP posts:
Sleepyquest · 12/02/2023 22:17

Hey OP I was saying the exact same thing to DH this week. Wasn't sure if it was the algorithm or if attitudes are changing... hope it's the latter!

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 12/02/2023 22:19

I'm sure it's the algorithm, sorry!
It happens so quickly, I've noticed new-to-me posters on my FYP and if I engage or watch a couple videos then that person is all over the FYP almost instantly. Also ppl I've watched in the past but haven't engaged with have disappeared. They still post but I never see it unless I specifically search.

morekidsthanhands · 12/02/2023 22:25

It's the algorithm. If you watch those kind of videos without skipping or interact you will see more.

DarkDayforMN · 12/02/2023 22:29

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 12/02/2023 22:19

I'm sure it's the algorithm, sorry!
It happens so quickly, I've noticed new-to-me posters on my FYP and if I engage or watch a couple videos then that person is all over the FYP almost instantly. Also ppl I've watched in the past but haven't engaged with have disappeared. They still post but I never see it unless I specifically search.

That is very interesting and I guess it’s a good thing but… how sinister.

Why would they change the algorithm? And by they I suppose I mean the CCP, probably. Who the hell knows anything about anything any more. 🤷‍♀️ Such a massive, politically loaded topic for the TikTok audience and the algorithm suddenly changes its editorial stance? That seems likely to be driven by something other than pure profit motive.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 12/02/2023 22:35

I don't think it's new, it's just always being perfected.

So if you click on a # it'll take notice. It joins up the dots as well, so if you engage with posters, if you engage with videos with certain #, and if you click # or use search terms, it 'learns' more about you.

Unsure if Tiktok also gets info from Google like other platforms can as well, but if it does, it'll have a fairly clear picture of you and what you engage with because you like it, or engage with because you can't believe it.

RedToothBrush · 12/02/2023 22:37

It's the algorithm.

Tiktok is known for doing this on other subjects. Thus funnelling people to echo chambers and extremes of content.

IcakethereforeIam · 12/02/2023 22:39

Construction workers?

LaviniasBigBloomers · 12/02/2023 22:40

It is the alto, TikTok is 100% algo driven which is why it's such a dodgy site overall.

However, there is also the Jeffery Marsh factor - even given my algo preferences the sheer volume of stitches on the 'I'm non-binary, I don't menstruate' post is enormous.

spottie · 12/02/2023 22:44

All I've seen for the past couple of weeks are Jeffrey Marsh stitches!

PaddThai · 12/02/2023 23:13

Yep, it's the algorithm - TikTok have mastered pushing the content you wish to see, it's what makes the app so popular.

ByTheGrace · 12/02/2023 23:17

But the algorithm presumably works on the posts not the comments, so it's not responsible for the upsurge in GC comments on TRA posts?

zen1 · 12/02/2023 23:52

I’m not on social media other than Mumsnet, but my 20 yr old DS said he’s noticed more of a balance on Instagram too.

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 12/02/2023 23:52

Op isn't talking about comments though

Truthlikeness · 13/02/2023 09:27

IcakethereforeIam · 12/02/2023 22:39

Construction workers?

Pure gold.

ByTheGrace · 13/02/2023 09:46

SliceOfCakeCupOfTea · 12/02/2023 23:52

Op isn't talking about comments though

I had thought they meant TikTok overall, not just the videos. But reading again you are right.
That said I have noticed an GC upsurge in SM comments in general.

RudsyFarmer · 13/02/2023 09:55

This reply has been deleted

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RoyalCorgi · 13/02/2023 10:11

RudsyFarmer I think you and Helen Joyce are right. If you've encouraged your child to have these awful surgeries and hormones, then it's very hard to admit that you're wrong. However, for everyone else, it's a lot easier. It's always been the problem with trans ideology that it depends on people accepting a fundamental lie, namely that humans can change sex. It's not like gay rights, where you can see a shift in attitudes over time. It's impossible to sustain a lie for a very long period of time. Or to put it another way: you can fool all of the people some of the time, or some of the people all of the time, but you can't fool all of the people all of the time.

IcakethereforeIam · 13/02/2023 10:42

Thank you @Truthlikeness that woman is awesome.

WarriorNun · 13/02/2023 10:46

The same algorithm on YouTube in the past has been blamed for the extreme rise of flat earthism. YouTube then made attempts to alter it so that a range of views were presented. Not sure where it's at at the moment but alogrithms on SM really do my head in.

That said, I hope it means more are now posting this alternative view.

EineKline · 13/02/2023 11:11

It's heartening to hear that teenage boys and girls from across the UK are being exposed to the GC position that sex is real, I'm fascinated to see how that belief manifests.

Original poster
Annaissleeping · 13/02/2023 11:24

I am still going to be optimistic and think there's a shift. Because of people like Thisissavvy saying they are noticing it too and she was such a lone voice on there before and must have had some horrible pushback. It just seems like women are proving harder to shut up and there is truly strength in numbers now.

I could be wrong, it just genuinely feels different at present.

OP posts: