I don’t know how many of y’all are watching the migration of American TikTokers to RedNote, but it’s the most fascinating thing I’ve EVER SEEN HAPPEN ONLINE. 🧵
About 48hrs ago American TikTokers, incensed by the upcoming ban, and the gloating of Zuck/Musk about people returning to their platforms, decided that they were Americans and no one was going to tell them what to effing do. So they downloaded RedNote – a Chinese social media app
The American TikTok community decided they’d rather sit naked on a hot grill than ever watch a single IG reel, and they don’t buy Congress’ excuse of “data security” for the ban. So, by the millions, they’ve been signing up to RedNote, and *volunteering* their data directly to China.
Please be aware, RedNote is in Mandarin. All servers are in China. It’s a female dominated social media platform, sort of a cross between Pinterest and TikTok, that’s mostly used by Chinese folks to get restaurant recs and beauty tips.
Americans started flooding in, and the Chinese RedNote users immediately went into action. They are welcoming the “TikTok Refugees”, giving Mandarin language lessons, asking for help with their English homework, and they’ve got JOKES — they’re so hilarious
The jokes are what I first saw the Americans so happy about. Riffs on “I’m your Chinese spy, I’m so happy to see you!”, to AI memes of a Chinese terracotta warrior and Lady Liberty in romantic poses, to demands for cat photos. Our meme culture and theirs are a match.
And all the Americans are SO TOUCHED by how kind, welcoming, and generous the RedNote users have been with their time and hospitality. And so, Americans started diving into actual RedNote content — grocery hauls, recipes, day-in-the-life, etc. And………they’re……..confused?
Because the US gov’t has spent 30 years telling us how horrible China is, but….their groceries are cheap, high quality, and plentiful (they’re eating lobster and crab on a Monday at lunch, not an anniversary dinner). Their jobs provide incredible, varied, healthy lunches and an hour to eat them..
Their street style and fashion is impeccable. Their health care is provided, their public transport is cheap, clean, and widely available. One big thing on RedNote is getting recommendations on where to eat breakfast, which can be had for a dollar. Americans are like…omg, we’re the poor ones…
I am watching 30 years of propaganda melt away at first contact with actual Chinese folks. Every comment section on RedNote are the Chinese users welcoming the Americans, “I’m so glad you’re here! We can be friends now! We are not enemy!”
The US gov’t really screwed the pooch on this one — I can’t think of a more effective way to make a bunch of Gen Z communists. The US gov’t to get bought by the Tech Bros, activate the inherent American Pettiness Gene, and now… the ball is rolling.
(The American TikTokers are having a GREAT time with this pettiness too. “One Nation Under a Giant Foam Middle Finger” is a sentiment that seems very popular.)
And the old talking points aren’t working anymore. Anytime someone brings up the Uyghur people or Tiananmen or anything, American’s are just like, “Gestures broadly to Palestine/War On Terror/Patriot Act/Climate Change/Oligarchs/Gerontocracy”
The growing sentiment I’m seeing is, “Hey China, both of our governments suck ass, but y’all seem super cool, and also we’re very jealous of a lot of the shit you have.”
Propaganda about human rights violations of another government don’t work when your own government is funding and supporting active genocides and blatant corruption. So they’re dismissing the governments, and talking to the people.
And you’re going to have a hard time manufacturing consent for aggressive action against China when 170 million American TikTok Refugees are mutuals with half of the RedNote netizens. This is absoLUTELY going to have diplomatic ramifications.
I want to stress again, that Americans hate and distrust Elon and Zuck SO MUCH that they’ve voluntarily given their data to China, and BEGUN LEARNING MANDARIN TO DO IT. And they’re having FUN. Whew. It’s going to be a wild ride.
At the moment, there are only 3 social media platforms that I’m seeing TikTokers migrate to: Bluesky YouTube RedNote Not only that, many are deleting all Meta/X accounts permanently, and arranging a weeklong blackout for those that keep their accounts.
But Bluesky is text based, and YouTube’s algo sucks, so the majority of video based creators are moving to RedNote now. And many of the Canadian/European/Australian TikTokers are following because they, “Miss the American humor and chaos.” It’s gonna get wild, folks.
There’s now a bill in front of Congress to delay the TikTok ban, and I’m assuming a whiff of panic sweat is floating around the Capitol this morning. We called their bluff, and there’s just no way around that. Maybe they’ll dig in their heels, but…….I’m not sure what that’ll gain them.
This is all going to get REALLY sticky when China’s plans for Taiwan get hairy, as many people are reporting that the Chinese Gov’t is training for a Spring 2025 invasion. It’s going to be a wild ride.
Quick Note: I’m not making judgements about the accuracy of depictions of life in China, or American’s responses to the content posted on RedNote. I’m just telling you what people are saying and how they’re responding.
Also, RedNote has different community standards and rules which may make it difficult for the LGBTQ and other marginalized communities. I’m not saying RedNote is a social media utopia. I’m *documenting what is happening, not endorsing a product* I beg you to dig deep for reading comprehension.
Again, this has all happened in the last 48 hours, I’d never heard of RedNote before yesterday morning, I don’t read Mandarin, and I’m not a reporter. I am observing what people are saying, and letting y’all know what I hear. This is gossip, not the Paper of Record. Sheesh.
I’m going to share a sampling of the videos I’m seeing that shows how a lot of the American TikTok community is reacting/interacting/justifying their move to RedNote (Links only since Bsky doesn’t allow long vids) www.tiktok.com/t/ZT21rHcJM/
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