TikTok and the Epigenetic Evolution of the Contrariot TikTok, the hyper-speed social media platform that delivers information in 60-second bursts, is playing a fascinating role in the “epigenetic evolution” of the contrariot.

In an era dominated by hot takes, social media debates, and an insatiable appetite for controversy, a new aristocracy has emerged: the contrariot class.

Chris was the kind of guy who could turn any sports discussion into an absurd argument. His favorite hill to die on? Insisting that Jimmer Fredette, the college basketball sharpshooter, was better than LeBron James.

Karen wasn’t just a contrariot—she was the contrariot. At her core, she thrived on arguments that left everyone else baffled. Her latest crusade? Insisting that white was actually black.

Doug was a contrariot through and through. He lived for arguments, especially the kind that made people’s heads spin. His latest claim? “Up is actually down.” It started one afternoon at the park.

The difference between a contrariot and a truth-seeker lies in their motivations, methods, and approach to uncovering information. While both may question the status quo, their intentions and behaviors are fundamentally distinct:

A contrariot thrives on opposing opinions, often ignoring logic for the sake of argument.

Susan was always the loudest voice in the room. At every family gathering, she had a hot take, usually accompanied by dramatic hand gestures and articles from dubious websites.

Frank had a reputation. Not the kind of reputation that made people admire him, but the kind that made them sigh heavily before inviting him to anything.

Journalism, once a noble pursuit of truth, has lost its way. Legacy media, with its glossy studios and self-important talking heads, has devolved into a cesspool of bias, spin, and gasp human error. Enter synthetic media: the AI-powered, deepfake-driven, emotionless machine we never knew we needed.