Revolutionary Algorithms: A TikTok Manifesto

by Torey Akers

A theoretical and critical manifesto on TikTok and its effect on cultural heritage, visual culture, AI, community organizing and top-down digital censorship as the ban on this massive online platform looms from writer, artist and popular creator Torey Akers (@whoreceress).

In April 2024, President Biden signed a bill mandating that the Chinese company ByteDance sell TikTok to an American company, or face a nationwide ban of the app. Denigrated by lawmakers for (unfounded) data security concerns and mocked by many for being just another way that teenagers are rotting their brains, critics of the extraordinarily popular social media app have voiced their technophobia loudly. But as TikTok creator, artist and journalist Torey Akers argues, TikTok is far more than its detractors it is a powerful tool for archiving our digital and visual culture, as well as an immensely potent democratic, informative force at a time when communities’ ability to connect and organize online is vital.  
 
REVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHMS is a sharp, compelling manifesto on the cultural power of TikTok. Akers comes to the subject with a deep understanding of the app, as both a prolific creator and consumer of its content. In these thoughtful and cogent essays, she interrogates how the TikTok ban and the multiple genocides happening around the world are deeply intertwined; how the app can empower creators, amplify social movements, and document abuses of power; and how the popularity of the platform, the development of AI, and an environment of digital censorship have combined to create the socio-political momentum that pushed the ban through Congress with support from both parties. She writes for those who love the app and those who hate it, addressing the good, bad, and sometimes uncanny parts of maneuvering and communicating in a digital space. As a new era of social media looms, Akers makes the case for techno-progressivism, looking toward a future where TikTok continues to connect, inspiring and creating space for more intersectionality, equity, and joy.

Genres: Nonfiction

128 pages, Hardcover

Published January 7, 2025

Reviews

[Summer ReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly enjoyed this quick read. It’s always nice to delve into well written modern day writing that’s pertinent to what’s going on in society and Akers is spot on. The focus of this book is obviously not grief but I found myself most captivated by the chapter where she’s writing about AI grief bots. I recently lost my mother and sister and Akers writes, “Saying goodbye isn’t the hard part. Living beyond it is. There isn’t an app for that.” It’s important to take note on technology and how’d its advances are so important but also not always the best or authentic way to spend our time as members of modern society.
This was a good read giveaway read inspired review.

[Chess · Rating 1 out of 5]

this text has me so deeply irritated by its desperate attempts to legitimize smugly ignorant ideas through use of 5-dollar SAT words that i refuse to dignify it with an in depth review or synopsis of my reading commentary. if you'd like to know what i thought of this, see my commentary in the reading activity tab.
this book leaves me with a foul taste in my mouth and a deep, existential disappointment in society, politics, and most of all, the author.
let's stop normalizing blood libel, alright?

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an easy to read piece about how TikTok can be used by people for more than just dancing or doing makeup, like organizing political groups.

I must admit, I only thought of the TikTok ban more as a security issue than a fear from our government about its people.

I think this is a good read especially with the possible TikTok ban looming.

Thank you Grand Central Publishing and Net Galley for an advanced copy.

[✩ tara ✩ · Rating 3 out of 5]

(3.5 ⭐️) This was a pretty interesting think piece on Tiktok and the general role of social media algorithms. Unfortunately, it was pretty meandering which made it harder to absorb. Some great ideas, but I wish it was a bit more streamlined.

***I received a review copy from Grand Central Publishing for free and am leaving an honest review***

[Renée Millette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been following the author on TikTok for a while, she came to my algorithm during my own period of grief after losing my mom. Always a treat to see what she has to say, and enjoyed reading it in a long-form format.

[Steffi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m not smart enough for this so it went waaay over my head. Quick read though

[William Bookman III]

These are all tools used based on the intention of the user. Healthy scepticism is valuable in the quest for learning new knowledge.

[Edith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fast and loose w/ buzzy terms that didn't always seem like they were used correctly, even if the subject matter is there and begging to be given this type of treatment.