This week, I found myself eagerly refreshing TikTok and Twitter for the latest updates on the Tabi Swiper saga.
Let me fill you in on the story:
After their second date, a man named Josh went home with a woman named Alexis Dougé. The next morning, Alexis discovered that her expensive Tabi Mary-Jane shoes from Margiela with the distinctive cloven toe were missing. Alexis posted a TikTok video about the situation, and the internet quickly identified Josh as the culprit, who had given his girlfriend a pair of the same shoes. After facing public shaming, Josh confessed and returned the stolen shoes to Alexis. The end of the story!
My colleague Jessica Roy interviewed Alexis to get her perspective on the incident. Unsurprisingly, Josh declined to be interviewed.
I’m relieved that Alexis got her shoes back. There’s nothing worse than that feeling of powerlessness and unease when something is stolen from you. (I’m still upset about my rain boots that were taken from my gym locker.) However, this situation made me reflect on Josh as just another in a long line of bad date villains who are exposed and judged by the internet.
This reminds me of West Elm Caleb, who became a TikTok sensation in 2022 when several women accused him of bad dating behavior. And let’s not forget Couch Guy, who faced scrutiny when he didn’t react enthusiastically enough to his long-distance girlfriend’s surprise visit.
These stories quickly gain momentum and spark outrage. Internet vigilantes track down the accused, as seen with Caleb, and even harass the women who came forward with their accusations.
While Josh admitted to stealing shoes, it raises the question of where the line should be drawn. Jessica pointed out that he took some shoes, not committed murder.
Alexis mentioned that she is constantly recognized and receives both support and online hatred. There is no easy solution to this pattern. While social media can serve as a platform for justice, it also fuels vigilantism and harassment.
Thanks to TikTok’s algorithm, which prioritizes unconventional content, it won’t be long before another main character emerges and undergoes the same scrutiny as Couch Guy, West Elm Caleb, and the Tabi Swiper. Until then, be sure to keep an eye on your boots.
Internet Candy
Here’s what else is happening online this week.
Shattered GlassTok
I’ve been fascinated by a particular TikTok trend where people roll bottles down stairs to see if they’ll shatter. It can be soda bottles, condiment bottles, wine bottles, or even bottles filled with tiny balls that explode upon impact.
These videos have created a whole ecosystem. People film themselves reacting to the bottles, and it’s oddly satisfying to watch. Just let the sound of shattering glass against stone calm your mind.
This genre may not be new, but maybe it’s new to you. The top creators, like @RachaPotes on TikTok, have gained millions of views. Don’t overthink it, just enjoy the conceptually dumb and bizarre nature of these videos. Let the sound of shattering glass ease your mind.
Got any feedback? Feel free to reach out to me at [email protected].
You can also follow me on Twitter (@4evrmalone).
Callie Holtermann contributed to this newsletter.
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