The Scrolling

When I woke up this morning, I did what I always do – scrolled (mindlessly, might I add) through Tik Tok. I would say that my mindless scrolling is embarrassing to admit, but don’t lie, we all do it. It is impossible not to. As I was scrolling, one Tik Tok in particular caught my attention. The scene was set as if it were the year 2025 and the girl was reflecting on the changes that occurred following the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of the changes it briefly highlighted were a decrease in traffic leading to a decrease in air pollution, zoos transforming into wildlife preservations and a decrease in technology usage when person-to-person communication is available. Initially I scrolled right past this video, then upon realizing its focus, I returned to watch it over and over again. It made me wonder – what if she’s right? 

I am absolutely positive that I am getting some eye-rolls rights about now. I get it. I’m having some sort of in-depth and philosophical look into the meaning of a Tik Tok video. But it’s an interesting thing to think about – what will the world look like post Covid-19? With the way the media presents everything right now, I wouldn’t be surprised if people said things will never be the same. But is that such a bad thing? At the end of the Tik Tok, a statement flashed across the screen – “We are the Earth’s virus.” Dramatic, I know; but it’s not necessarily wrong. As stated by Wilkinson and Chávez (2020), “satellite images showing dramatic drops in air pollution in coronavirus hotspots around the globe have circulated widely on social media, offering a silver lining to an otherwise very dark story. But they are also a graphic reminder of the climate crisis that will continue when the pandemic passes” (para. 1). I think this highlights the fact that we are the ones having such a significant, negative impact on the environment and propelling the climate crisis along at frightening speeds. But as the Tik Tok video addresses, the world can and should look different post Covid-19. Rather than jumping back in and returning to life as it once was, we should take this as an opportunity to make change for the better. The Covid-19 pandemic could provide a platform upon which hope can flourish.

Over the last few weeks I’ve touched on progress and potential change within the fashion industry that we could see post Covid-19. London Fashion Week transitioning to an online platform. Brands like E.L.V. Denim and Reformation, among many, many others, that are leading the way in sustainable production. A rebirth and reinvention of made-to-order and bespoke clothing. There is so much progress to be made. In some ways, a silver lining to the pandemic is a forced reassessment – time to rethink the ways in which things have historically been done and how we can change them for the better. To circle back around, I have done quite the dive into a Tik Tok. I am pretty sure the creator behind that video didn’t necessarily intend for me to do that, but hey, c’est la vie. Rather than focusing on the negative and wishing for a world that once was, let’s think about how we can make the world better.

Also, you should check out John Krasinski’s Some Good News YouTube channel - everyone needs a smile right about now.

Bye for now,

McGee