Humour and Social Transformation: A Multimodal Analysis of Tiktok Comedies in the Anthropocene

This research examines the evolution of humour on TikTok, comparing content from China, the UK, and the USA before, during, and after the Covid-19 pandemic. By analysing 21 content creators’ videos across 36 months (January 2020–December 2022), the study investigates shifts in language, themes, and presentation styles, as well as the political, cultural, and social factors driving these changes. Data is drawn from the TikTok Research API, Analisa.io, and digital ethnography, highlighting issues with data quality and reliability.

Key findings reveal that (1) Chinese creators display more demographic diversity and larger fan bases than their Western counterparts, (2) the pandemic's early phase saw a peak in content creation, followed by stability, while Chinese creators deleted content during this time. Thematically, less than 10% of sketches directly referenced Covid-19, with much of the content reflecting everyday experiences and aligned with Maslow's hierarchy of needs.

This research connects digital culture with justice in the Anthropocene by exploring how humour serves as a means of coping with crises. It also interrogates the role of influencers in shaping societal responses and raises questions about whose knowledge and experiences are prioritized in digital platforms. The findings contribute to understanding how sociological knowledge of humour, technology, and culture can inform broader discussions on epistemic and environmental justice in contemporary societies. By considering the socio-technical systems that shape TikTok, this study offers insights into the evolving regimes of knowledge production in the digital age.