How porn sites soft-launched the attention economy

Why are we seeing more death on our feeds? From footage of an Ecuadorean priest being killed by a crucifix to the man who was attacked by a tiger on camera, snuff content appears to be making a comeback. On this episode, Marianna and Matt examine how various platforms' responses to so-called trauma porn have evolved since an initial tightening of restrictions following the livestreamed Christchurch shootings in 2019. Also this week, Meta has been forced to explain the deactivation of an activist Instagram account by pointing the finger at its auto-moderation systems. The company was responding to anger from No Kings protest organisers, who cited their official profile going dark as evidence of censorship and political interference. We dissect Meta's defence, and consider the broader implications of AI-led moderation becoming more widespread. Plus - is France actually fake? Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The assistant producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Ben Andrews. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is [email protected] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

From shadowboxing Parisians to chihuahuas fronting rap videos, the acceleration in generative AI capability is now impossible to miss on our feeds. On this episode, Matt and Marianna explain how new software allows users to 'reskin' video content to make anyone say or do literally anything they like. They discuss the resulting shift from realism to absurdism online, the existential threat to any type of IP ownership, and why independent creators inevitably suffer the most. Also this week, after Ukraine hit several Yandex data centres inside Russia, viral posts began circulating suggesting there had been a noticeable reduction in social media activity by Russian bots. This narrative was fuelled by multiple high-profile accounts, and even echoed by President Zelensky - only it wasn't true. After experts debunked the claims, Top Comment dissects why this 'misinfo on misinfo' was able to flourish, from circumstantial evidence to Bluesky echo-chambers. Plus - Kelly Clarkson is in hot water after leaving a bad review, and the YouTube prankster who was tricked into an online gag order. Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The assistant producer is Sophie Millward. The social producer was Richard Kenny. The technical producer was Stephen Bailey. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is [email protected] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

As The Social Reckoning hits cinemas, the whistleblower who inspired the movie joins Top Comment to discuss what's changed since she leaked tens of thousands of internal Facebook documents in 2021. Considered by many to be the primary catalyst for much of the legislation and litigation currently targeting social media giants, Frances Haugen's revelations have nonetheless been followed by an apparent acceleration by those same companies in pursuit of maximum engagement. On this episode, Frances talks about tech accountability in the age of AI, the increasingly punitive measures being taken against others who decide to speak out, and what she really thinks of Mark Zuckerberg. Meta has consistently disputed Frances Haugen's characterisation of its policy, culture and safety procedures. Plus - fresh from attending the press screening, Matt and Marianna give their thoughts on the film. Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The assistant producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producers were Ben Andrews and Dafydd Evans. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is [email protected] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

An alleged case of gang rape at a Cornell frat house has caused widespread outrage after new details emerged in a civil suit brought by the purported victim. Evidence including a Snapchat screenshot advertising a "free" sexual encounter has seen anger online directed not only towards those men accused of being involved, but others who apparently failed to step in. As a criminal investigation is reopened, Marianna and Matt explain how this case has taken over social media, from scathing critiques of campus culture and opaque accountability measures, to doxxing, misidentification and censorship. The university's leadership has denied its response was inadequate. Also this week, we discuss arguably the most viral story of the year - the fallout at a covid-conscious lesbian bar in western Massachusetts. After the struggling Last Ditch decided to suspend their mask mandate on Saturday nights, they were met with a torrent of abuse calling them ableist and even eugenicist. Top Comment takes you through the chaotic conversations which followed, and we consider whether AOC spoke too soon when she famously closed the book on Woke 1.0 identity politics. Plus - what RAF Fairford tells us about neighbourhood WhatsApp groups, and how Vini Jr became the latest celeb to find himself at the centre of a body-double conspiracy. Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The assistant producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is [email protected] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

After years spent sheltering from the public gaze, Hunter Biden re-entered the mainstream consciousness last summer via a surprise YouTube appearance alongside prominent alternative media figure Andrew Callaghan. The interview went viral, and ever since the embattled son of former president Joe Biden has seen his online reputation soar. On this episode, Matt and Marianna track Biden Jr's journey from ridicule to redemption, and ask whether he has fumbled that newly found following with a dubious crypto enterprise, an all-too-familiar fall from grace in the age of the internet. Also this week, actor Channing Tatum has denied he is behind an Instagram 'burner' account which was critical of his ex-partners, despite being its only follower. Sleuths had discovered comments across several posts which appeared to support him while calling out Jenna Dewan, Zoe Kravitz and others. We discuss the broader phenomenon of anonymous celeb-run accounts, examples of identities being uncovered, and the psychology of lurking online. Plus - Clavicular says he will fight rape charges filed in Massachusetts. Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The assistant producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is [email protected] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.