Knowledge is Power: Is TikTok Our Version of Moonhaven's IO?

By: Myriam Akbar

First things first – keep in mind that above all else, I’m discussing literature and film. Although I will mostly examine the 2022 sci-fi/crime series Moonhaven, I will also make comparisons to modern society and early 1900's novels that discuss similar thematic concerns. Completely separate from my review of the show, my conclusions here are solely based on critical thinking and observation – plus some innocent, fun and creativity. With conversations of a TikTok ban for years, users have expressed frustration and urgency to understand the true meaning behind it. An imperfect yet underrated series, suggests a possible reason for the removal of the app. 

Moonhaven follows a pilot and detective investigating a conspiracy within a community of humans living on the moon. While it tackles a seemingly far-fetched concept, with today’s technological and scientific advancements — it’s as far-fetched as the robots were when first discussed in Karel Capek's RUR (where the term robot comes from). Although space exploration has been discussed for centuries, it has only been considered through means of mathematics and science since the turn of the 20th century. As for colonization of the moon, (to various degrees; for example only retrieving resources) it has been discussed since the 17th century. This would explain chapters in Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World Revisited that critique this proposition. What I found the most intriguing and realistic about Moonhaven wasn’t the humanitarian mission to space, but a form of artificial intelligence called IO that is used as a behavioral guide to save humanity.

One can assume the obvious — Earth is in shambles and like in many sci-fi stories, we are searching for answers to save our species. Sometimes from forces outside of us, yet in this case, from the destruction we have caused for ourselves. The series explores the various aspects that prevent us from harmony, such as: ecocide, war, prejudice, and poor mental health etc. It questions: is harmony even possible? IO is a device that detects patterns in human behavior throughout history. Our responsibility is to work hand-in-hand with it, allowing it to aid us from repeating our mistakes. The purpose of IO is learning information about us, to help us unlearn behaviors that have destroyed civilization. IO is used by those on the moon to develop new psychological practices and sociological ideologies to build a new rule book. The goal is to put it into practice and spread the word to those back on Earth. This colony acts as a home for those who plan to use IO properly, as it is our last hope of saving humanity. However, it's also a bridge to those back on Earth who have very little time to change their ways. TIK TOK. TIK TOK. TIK TOK.

Different from other social media apps, TikTok has done more than allow people to connect with old classmates and provide a platform for selfies. Yes you can request to follow people and message them, watching their content as it’s uploaded. But more than anything – users found themselves asking: have I ever had an original thought or experience? Why am I learning more from this app then I ever did in school? The truth is, humanity exists more in repeated cycles of behavior than it does drastic change. Some may even say that Earth’s crisis can be summarized with a handful of isms, for example: imperialism, racism, sexism, capitalism etc. TikTok has done more than showcase catchy, yet annoying dance numbers or help make everyday people overnight famous. It educates users in a plethora of subjects, exposes untold aspects of history, gives voices to the marginalized, provides video proof of oppression, and reminds many where they come from. It embodies how there’s strength in numbers, power in community, and knowledge that can radicalize society. 

So why ban TikTok? In my mind, its invention was a failed weapon of mass distraction. Like most sources of entertainment, the human mind latches onto the perceived separation of art and reality. The source typically provides comfort and amusement, acting as a diversion from the mundane or stressful. I believe TikTok users were only able to find the mindless nature of entertainment in the app for a short amount of time. During the pandemic, people relied heavily on social media and realized there’s no escaping reality on an app that documents it in real-time. This has caused radicalization for many, in the way that people previously became inspired by writing and speeches. This birthed the term TikTok Activism, where users became motivated to to shift their content towards journalism and education. There was less of an emphasis on dancing, and more of focus on exposing oppressors and uplifting the oppressed. The desire to ban TikTok isn't based on the ethics of harvesting personal data, or the impact on attention spans, or even, what is compromised in the process of its creation (resource distribution, slave labor, capitalism). It's all about disempowering the masses, by quieting our voices, erasing our platforms, and assuring we no longer see first-hand what is happening to people all around the world. Those making it possible for oppressive systems to exist, don't want change because that would mean they no longer benefit from inequality, Unity and liberation is their worst nightmare. So, anything that could bring that about must go.

So what do we do with this information or any information for that matter? Falling into complete apathy or complacency will certainly get us nowhere. I suppose what will be most useful is to prioritize access to knowledge and freedom of expression as an ethical responsibility. We must remember what we learn about our behavior with enthusiasm to unlearn it, in order for positive change in the long run. 

Photo Cred: Spoilertv.com