We live in an age where the question, “Are you okay?” has been replaced with, “Can you do that again? I missed it on camera.” Whether it’s a poorly-timed tumble down the stairs, your child saying or doing something completely inappropriate, a rogue seagull stealing someone’s ice cream, or a full-on public meltdown, people’s struggles are increasingly less about empathy and more about entertainment. It begs the question: Are we entering a new era of slapstick—or have we just lost the plot entirely?
In the golden age of silent films, slapstick comedy was king. Watching Charlie Chaplin trip over a banana peel was the kind of harmless humour that brought everyone together. But in today’s digital arena, slapstick has evolved—or devolved, depending on your perspective. Each time I scroll through my Instagram feeds I have to wonder why people find someone slipping on ice or a toddler falling in the mud funny. Now, the banana peel is a cracked sidewalk, the laugh track is TikTok’s trending audio, and the unsuspecting victim is your neighbour who just got beaned in the head by a rogue piñata.
So why are these moments so shareable?
- Visceral and Relatable – Everyone knows the cringe of tripping in public or misjudging the height of a step. Watching someone else fumble their dignity feels oddly comforting—because this time, it’s not you.
- Instant Drama and Comedy – Social media thrives on emotional extremes. There’s no time for subtlety when your goal is to stop someone mid-scroll. A dramatic slip or hilarious mishap delivers the perfect mix of shock, humour, and schadenfreude.
- Engagement Gold – In the attention economy, relatable misfortunes are currency. Posts of accidents or struggles garner comments, likes, and shares faster than a thoughtful essay ever could. Algorithms reward what makes people pause and react, and nothing does that quite like a good faceplant.
Why Film Instead of Help?
There’s a growing tendency for people to whip out their phones when they see someone in trouble. It’s as if the first instinct isn’t What can I do to help? but How can I get this on my Stories? Take a look at people milling around accidents or squabbles these days, they all have their phones out thinking how “epic’ this will be on FB or IG, and the reels are uploaded out of context. I don’t know about you but I find this deeply disturbing.
- The Rise of “Citizen Journalists”
The mobile phone and social media have given everyone the power to document life as it happens. In emergencies, filming can sometimes help—like recording evidence of injustice or alerting authorities. But often, it’s not about justice; it’s about views. And instead of helping, people freeze behind their screens. - Fear of Involvement
Many people hesitate to help because they’re afraid of doing the wrong thing, getting hurt, or even being held liable. Filming feels safer. It gives the illusion of action without requiring responsibility. - Clout Culture
Let’s be honest: the desire for internet fame is a powerful motivator. A video of someone slipping in a fountain might make you internet-famous for a day. Helping them dry off? Not so much.
Life is not a movie
While slapstick in the Chaplin era was scripted and harmless, the viral misfortunes of today can have real consequences. The person in that video isn’t an actor—they’re a human being who might be hurt, humiliated, or in need of help. But instead of compassion, they get comments like:
- “OMG, I can’t stop laughing!”
- “This is so me.”
- “Tag someone who would totally do this.”
It’s funny until you’re the one who went viral.
In many ways, yes. Today’s slapstick is unscripted, and the audience isn’t seated in a theatre—it’s scrolling on their phones. The humour has evolved from harmless pratfalls to public shaming, often blurring the line between comedy and cruelty. What’s worse is the growing sense of detachment. Watching someone else’s pain through a screen makes it easier to laugh and harder to empathise. Yet, there’s hope. Some viral moments have sparked conversations about human decency. When a video circulates of someone in genuine distress, there’s often backlash against the bystanders who chose to film instead of help. People are starting to ask, “Why didn’t anyone step in?”—and that’s a step in the right direction.
If we want to restore some humanity to the social media circus, we need to recalibrate how we engage with these moments:
Ask First, Film Later – If you see someone in trouble, prioritise helping over filming. The world doesn’t need another viral video as much as that person might need a hand.
Think Before You Share – Before reposting that clip of someone else’s bad day, ask yourself: Would I want this shared if it were me? Empathy is a powerful filter.
Encourage Positive Virality – Videos of people being kind or resilient can be just as shareable as moments of failure. Let’s celebrate those instead.
Social media has turned us all into unintentional directors of a never-ending slapstick reel. But while laughter is good for the soul, it shouldn’t come at the expense of someone else’s dignity or well-being.
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