What is the Uncanny Valley make-up trend on TikTok?
The hashtag #uncannyvalley has over 500 million views on TikTok - but what is it? The term 'uncanny valley' refers to "a common unsettling feelings people experience when androids (humanoid robots) and audio/visual simulations closely resemble humans in many respects but are not quite convincingly realistic" according to TechTarget. Now on TikTok, creators are trying to give viewers the same unsettling feeling through makeup and filters in order to try and make themselves look like androids. Creator Zara (@alkiiwii) posted herself wearing 'uncanny valley makeup', where her features have been eventuated to look, well, uncanny. It is one of the most liked videos under the hashtags with 1.8 million likes since posting the video five days ago. In the video she lip-syncs an audio from the video game Detroit Become Human which follows three androids in the year 2038. The audio, from the android Chloe, says: "I only exist thanks to the intelligence of the humans who designed me. You know, they have something I could never have [...] a soul." With Zara's lip-syncing slightly stilted to make her mannerisms even more robotic. @alkiiwii UNCANNY VALLEY #uncannyvalley #uncannyvalleymakeup #uncannyvalleyeffect Comments under Zara's video include "the first uncanny valley that's worked for me." "The difference between the mouth movements and voice make it even better," commented another creeped out viewer. A third added: "This one actually scared me." Another popular audio used in the trend comes from a TIME article from 2013, where a robot telemarketer denied it was a robot. "No, I am a real person," the robot says. "Maybe we have a bad connection, I'm sorry about that." "Will you tell me you're not a robot? Just say I'm not a robot, please." The human on the phone asks. "I am a real person." The Robot claims. @beautybyzoeg #uncannyvalley #uncannyvalleyeffect #makeup #fyp The eiree feeling induced by the uncanny valley makeup and accompanying audios has viewers hooked though. "This is so good," commented one user under a video. "This is so terrifying I love it," wrote another. For those of us who lack the makeup skills required for this trend. User @art_by__alyssa made a filter to give us all that uncomfortable feeling. @art_by__alyssa make a tiktok filter with me🫣✍🏼 #art #artist #procreate #facepaint #makeup #uncannyvalley #uncannyvalleyeffect #uncannyvalleymakeup #filter #filters #effects #effect #effecthouse #effecthousecreator #fyp #foryou #foryoupage Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings
2023-11-08 21:54
'I peeled my orange today' slideshow has TikTok 'sobbing'
A public breakup between two women has gone viral on TikTok resulting in many people talking about 'peeling oranges.' The TikTok, which is a series of screengrabs of text messages between the two women, who are known only as Charlotte and Em. The slideshow was shared on TikTok by the account @things.i.cant.sen and has already been viewed more than 5 million times. The story starts with Charlotte texting 'Hey' to Em, however, the latter woman is surprised to hear from Charlotte. The crux of the conversation is that Charlotte wanted to tell Em that she got a place at New York University. Em says that she is 'proud' of Charlotte but as the text messages continue it becomes obvious that the two women were once a couple. Although Charlotte is still in love with Em the feeling isn't mutual adding that she was once in love with Charlotte but isn't. anymore. Things soon turn very emotional and intimate when Charlotte speaks about 'peeling oranges'. "I miss when you would peel my oranges for me in the morning," says Charlotte. Em replies, "Did you learn how to do it yet" "No, I still get juice all over and stab my nails too deep," Charlotte says. Em adds: "You'll figure it out someday." As the conversation continues Charlotte tells Em that she "loves" her. Em replies that she "loved" her too. The slides do end on a happy but emotional note with Charlotte telling Em "I peeled my orange today." That final line has broken TikTok users with many flooding the comments to say how moved they are by the exchange. One person wrote: "“i peeled my orange today” SOBBING. baby im so proud of you." Another said: "i peeled my orange today” SOBBING. baby im so proud of you." A third added: "i peeled my orange today “ broke me." For those wondering if peeling an orange is a metaphor for something else, as far as we can tell it's not. It's just one woman. telling her ex-lover that she has now learned to do something that she used to rely on her partner for. On that note, we're going to sit in the corner and cry for a while... Sign up to our free indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-11-08 19:48
Woman finds hidden room in her house full of creepy paintings
A woman has gone viral on TikTok for sharing a hidden room she found in her house. On October 23, TikTok user @bigbrah1 uploaded a video of her opening the door to the secret room she found in her house. The clip shows the walls painted in pink, green, and white. There were also butterfly drawings, hand prints, and paintings that looked as though they were drawn by children. Whilst you may already consider the above description to be creepy, what really freaked viewers out was the words "Love Shack" written on the wall. Many expressed their eerie feelings in the comments. One user wrote: "Absolute weirdest vibes... love shack? The feet?" "Is this adorable or terrifying?" Asked another. @bigbrah1 what do i do ? #horror#horrortok#hiddenroom#hiddenroominmyhouse#halloween#scary#90s#analoghorror#fyp#scarytiktoks Many others told the user to alert the authorities to see if there was something worth investigating. "The way I was smiling then immediately my face dropped and I became physically ill" a user commented, sharing the sentiments of most users. In an update video, the user shared that she had converted it into a storage room and thrown out the drawings that were found in the room. She did, however, share that that room could have only been for children, by attempting to stand up in the room and showing that she had to hunch. However, there has since been no further updates or explanations about the room. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-11-02 17:46
TikToker 'arrested for sneaking into hospitals and posing as a doctor'
A TikToker has reportedly been arrested after posing as a doctor online and for attempting to gain access to a hospital. Matthew Lani posted videos, which have since been deleted, allegedly claiming that he was a medical professional and giving health advice to his followers. He also claimed to have received a medical degree from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, which has since been dismissed by the uni. The South African said he was a doctor in Johannesburg, but he was apprehended by police after reportedly attempting to get past security staff at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg. He is said to have attempted to bluff his way into the building by wearing a stethoscope and a surgical mask. Then, after being followed by law enforcement officers, he tried to escape by jumping out of a bathroom window before being detained. The Gauteng province’s Department of Health released a statement saying: “Lani was caught just before 8pm disguised in a hoodie and wearing a surgical mask with a stethoscope around his neck. "He had previously entered the same facility to curate misleading content under the pretence that he was a qualified doctor." Since the National Prosecuting Authority released a statement, stating that Lani had been released as it had “no evidence” to charge him. NPA spokesperson Phindi Mjonondwane said: "With the evidence currently contained in the docket, we had to decide as the prosecution if there are any prospects of a successful prosecution or not, and having to do that simply meant that we had to differentiate and make a decision with what is before us. "If we say that we have a person that can say they lied or are we having a person that has misrepresented, if we alleged that a person has misrepresented, then that must be followed by actual or potential prejudice. "So, currently, in the information contained in the docket, we don't have such information hence, we have given instructions for investigations that must be complied with. Once it’s done, the docket can be brought back to the NPA for a decision." Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings
2023-11-01 20:24
Matthew Lani: South African TikTok star freed after 'fake doctor' arrest
Matthew Lani had been picked up after entering a hospital and accused of impersonating a doctor.
2023-11-01 01:26
TikTok influencer 'Narco Queen' shot dead in broad daylight
A 24-year-old “narco influencer” with hundreds of thousands of social media followers has reportedly been shot dead in broad daylight. At least two hitmen opened fire on Sabrina Durán Montero as she sat in a car in Padre Hurtado, Chile, on Tuesday morning (24 October). The killers made off with the vehicle, which was later found burnt out about half an hour’s drive away in Quilicura. Sabrina was rushed to a local hospital with at least eight gunshot wounds. Medics were tragically unable to save her life. Local media say she was a notorious local drug trafficker who went by the alias “La Ina”. Police believe her killing may have been a settling of scores by a rival gang. Police chief Leonel Muñoz stated on Tuesday that Sabrina “had a criminal record, specifically for receiving stolen vehicles and drug trafficking, and had been released from serving a sentence approximately a month ago”. She was reportedly on parole at the time of her death. Her final TikTok was shared to her 575,000 followers just 4 days ago. @katrinagusman 🗽🗽💎antonella marchant💎🗽🗽👑👑nooo k rikos sus aroma no a mi me encanto todo todo 💎💎💕💕#@Morales Chanel 💕💕sigan la y compren sus productos 💕💕💎💎 Sabrina and her two brothers were arrested at the beginning of 2023 on suspicion of supplying, distributing and trafficking cannabis, cocaine, MDMA, and magic mushrooms. During her time behind bars, she reportedly began a same-sex relationship with her cellmate, Antonella Marchant. Antonella, leader of the notorious Los Marchant clan, was sentenced to 15 years in prison after her arrest in 2021. At the time of writing, Sabrina had 431,000 followers on TikTok, where she also went by the names Katrina Gusman and Juakina Gusman. Many of her selfie videos have been watched millions of times. The hitmen were still at large at the time of reporting. The investigation continues. How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-10-28 23:59
Going undercover to reveal people smugglers' sales tactics
They say their routes from Pakistan are “safe”, with one claiming “hundreds” are transported daily.
2023-10-28 07:45
TikTok's Beckham dancing test explained
The recent release of the Beckham documentary by Netflix has had everyone feeling nostalgic for the 90s but has also inspired a new TikTok trend called the Beckham test. Over the four-part documentary series, viewers follow the ups and downs of the footballing legend’s life and career. At the start of his career in the early nineties, when the Spice Girls also reigned supreme in their respective field, we witness his blossoming relationship with the then Victoria Adams, also known as Posh Spice. The couple has now been married for 24 years and one particular scene in the documentary stole viewers' hearts as they began dancing together at their Cotswolds home to the song 'Islands in the Stream' by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Viewers noticed that, without speaking, Victoria initiated a dance together and David joined in with no hesitation. The sweet moment has led to a new TikTok trend where people test their relationship with the “Beckham dance test”. What is the viral Beckham test? To complete the Beckham test, people have filmed themselves putting the Islands in the Stream song on, dancing to it and waiting to see if their partner will join them as David did with Victoria in the Netflix documentary. The hashtag #beckhamdance has received 6.3 million views and has seen posting videos of their attempts. @amyteehee #beckhamtest #davidbeckham Some were more successful than others, but Beckham himself has had his say as he has been seen commenting on some people’s videos. The superstar wrote on TikToker Nicole Douglas’ video, “Pass” along with a tick and a crying laughing emoji. @nicoledouglas Do we pass him? 👀💘 #beckhams #netflix #beckhamdance #bftest #beckham #beckhamdocumentary That is one valuable seal of approval. Sign up to our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.
2023-10-26 15:58
Alan Wake 2: How one of gaming's lost sequels finally got made
After 13 years, Alan Wake's creator finally gets to release the sequel many thought wouldn't happen.
2023-10-26 11:54
Teacher faces backlash for giving child 'birthday spankings' in viral TikTok
An elementary school teacher has divided opinion on social media after she was filmed giving a young pupil “birthday spankings”. The clip, which has been shared across TikTok, shows the woman beaming as she brandishes a large, wooden ruler and the boy braces for impact. The child is smiling, too, as he clutches the table, and she swings her makeshift paddle. Thankfully, the teacher stops before making contact, as she repeats a swing for each year of his life. Pranks and peculiar traditions are a quirk of the festivities across the world, with almost every culture having their own special rites and rituals. Bumps, “punches” and other torments have long been a celebrated part of the festivities, as have “spankings”. The North American tradition sees the birthday boy or girl receive the number of hits that corresponds to their age, plus “one to grow on”. @noahglenncarter People are upset with this teacher for giving a student birthday spankings #foryou #teacher #birthday Numerous TikTok commentators pointed out that they’d received the same treatment at the hands of their teachers while in school, though not everyone remembered the custom fondly. Search “birthday spankings” on the platform and you’ll see a number of videos dedicated to people’s realisation that the whole thing is a bit… creepy. @queenkoppes #stitch with @smithfulteaching The 90s were a different time. #teachersoftiktok @mackenzig__ i thought this was a fever dream or smth for the longest time until someone told me they saw it too Still, plenty of TikTokers have also laughed the whole thing off or pointed to similarly bizarre conventions that they’d fallen prey to. “This is a family tradition for me,” one wrote. “We all got and gave each other birthday spankings. It’s just a fun thing.” “My Spanish teacher pulls ears for birthday,” added another, explaining that it was “her culture’s tradition”. However, influencer Noah Glenn Carter pointed out that some traditions simply don’t age well, and plenty of people would file a complaint with the school if this happened to their kid. “So far it doesn't seem like any action has been taken against the teacher, which I think is fine because she probably didn't mean anything by this,” he said in a commentary on the clip. But, he added: “If I was a teacher, the last thing you would see me doing is giving out birthday spankings to students. “Because even if I was just doing it to be funny, people could see it in a very different light.” Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings
2023-10-25 23:19
Argentina presidential election: Javier Milei and Sergio Massa head for run-off vote
Partial results from Sunday's election suggest the country will have to vote again next month.
2023-10-23 10:46
Argentina votes in election rocked by radical candidate
An outspoken anti-establishment economist has put his two main rivals on the defensive in the campaign.
2023-10-22 19:28