“Criminal, Bombastic Side Eye” - explanation of the TikTok trend
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As a TikTok anthropologist, I've spent countless hours delving into the intricate and dynamic world of TikTok, a unique platform that has provided a window into the evolving social and cultural practices of our younger generations. One such phenomenon that has recently come to the fore is the "Bombastic Side Eye" trend. Offering a blend of visual spectacle, humor, and social commentary, it is an idiosyncratic but illuminating trend that has piqued the interest of millions of TikTokers worldwide.
Understanding the "Bombastic Side Eye" Trend
The term "Bombastic Side Eye" refers to a distinct facial expression paired with a particular sound bite: “Bombastic side eye. Criminal, offensive side eye.” In this trend, users lip-sync to these lyrics while giving a sideways glance, typically signaling disapproval or contempt. It's a performance of facial expressiveness, transforming what would usually be a fleeting moment of emotion into a visual and auditory spectacle.
A critical aspect of this trend is the way it's incorporated into various contexts. The trend acts as a canvas on which TikTokers overlay their personal narratives or commentaries, often text-based, thereby turning the trend into a medium for shared experiences or humorous observations.
In one video, a user syncs to the audio while the caption reads, “My shower takes only 5 minutes.” The trend here is used to convey exasperation over the common judgment surrounding quick showers. In another instance, the audio is used to express the unspoken understanding amongst young people when their parents make off-color jokes, with the overlay text saying: “When our parents make dirty jokes and they think we don’t understand them.”
In a video with over 2.1 million views, a user engages with the audio to express their frustration when non-Muslim people casually use the word ‘Wallah,’ a term specific to their culture and religion. This exemplifies the trend's usage to highlight cultural appropriation or misappropriation.
Examples of the Trend
In the world of astronomy, one TikToker, an amateur astronomer, capitalizes on the "Bombastic Side Eye" trend to display a quirky disagreement with Pluto's controversial demotion from planet status. The video captures a clear night sky as seen through the lens of her telescope, with stars shimmering like distant fireflies. As the camera pans to her face, she lip-syncs the audio and delivers a sharp, exaggerated side-eye. The text overlay reads, “When they tell me Pluto isn't a planet.” Her disapproval humorously personifies the ongoing debate within the scientific community and among space enthusiasts. The playful rebuke on Pluto's downgrade illustrates the trend's ability to spark dialogue about niche interests and debates, making astronomy more approachable and engaging for the digital audience.
Meanwhile, in a more earthly setting, a zoologist employed the trend while interacting with a slow-moving sloth. The video begins with the TikToker, dressed in field gear, feeding the lethargic creature some leaves. The sloth's unhurried, languid movements form a stark contrast to our typically fast-paced world. Mimicking the sloth's leisurely pace, the zoologist lip-syncs to the audio and rolls her eyes sideways. The text overlay quips, “When my boss says, 'You need to work faster!'” The side-eye is a comical response to the unreasonable work speed expectations in modern work environments. The user cleverly juxtaposes the slow pace of the sloth to the high-speed demands of today's workplaces, using the trend to offer a critique on work-life balance.
Analyzing the Trend's Cultural Significance
Analyzing the "Bombastic Side Eye" trend from a sociological perspective, it reveals how Gen Z and Gen Alpha use social media as a platform to explore and express their identities. It shows their shared experiences and understanding of societal norms, their disapproval of certain behaviors, and their humorous take on everyday situations. It exemplifies their comfort in expressing disapproval or disagreement, and their willingness to engage in dialogue about socially pertinent issues.
The trend also tells us about the importance these generations place on authenticity and genuineness. The sideways glance, a universal non-verbal cue for disapproval or disbelief, is amplified and employed humorously, demonstrating a transparency in their emotions and opinions.
From a psychological perspective, the trend offers insights into the way these generations handle stress, discomfort, or disagreement. Rather than resorting to aggression or avoidance, they utilize humor and shared experiences as coping mechanisms, demonstrating a resilience and adaptability that is crucial in our fast-paced, rapidly changing world.
On an anthropological level, the "Bombastic Side Eye" trend reflects the communal nature of these digital natives. The trend's popularity is a testament to their shared cultural consciousness, using a common language of expressions, sounds, and symbols. Despite the digital divide, they create a shared experience that spans across geographic and cultural boundaries.
