The 10-second video begins with a close-up on the abs of a sweaty, shirtless man wearing low-slung, gray sweatpants. But three seconds in, it cuts to a panoramic video of Havasu Falls in Arizona, with its striking turquoise water cascading down from red rocks. Welcome to ParkTok. The video — from an unofficial account posting about Grand Canyon National Park and other nature sites in Arizona — is emblematic of a trend that’s gone viral on TikTok in recent weeks that pairs sexually suggestive clips or music with scenic images and footage of America’s natural wonders. Unofficial accounts representing state and national parks, mountains and rivers have participated in the trend, sometimes trading playful barbs about which has the “biggest trees” or “longest lakes.” The videos are funny and moderately unhinged in the way TikTok trends often are, but they have a serious aim: to raise awareness about threats to US public lands amid the Trump administration’s efforts to gut national parks staffing and designate more of America’s wild lands for drilling, mining and logging. Many of the videos encourage viewers to donate to organizations such as the National Park Foundation or to call their local representatives to advocate for protecting public lands, part of a long tradition of using social media to organize social and political movements. “This does go way beyond the thirst traps,” Kim Tanner, who runs the unofficial Joshua Tree account @joshuatreenp with more than 250,000 followers, told CNN. “It’s a way to pull people in, it’s a way to hook them, and it works. But at the same time, you’re showing them that beautiful imagery (of the parks) and hopefully, even if subliminally, you’re educating them.” ParkTok emerged last fall, long before their videos started with sexy teasers and ahead of President Donald Trump’s second term. At the time, many of the account holders just wanted to promote the beauty of their local parks, like Phoebe, a nature enthusiast who started the unofficial Multnomah Falls account @multnomah_falls to share her love of Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge. Phoebe asked CNN not to use her last name to avoid being identified by her employer. Then in February, the Trump administration fired thousands of National Park Service and Department of Interior workers as part of widespread government workforce reductions, prompting national parks and monuments to announce closures, pause reservations and limit hours. In his first three months in office, Trump also signed orders to increase mining and oil and gas drilling in Alaska, expand logging in federally protected national forests and roll back rules that pushed car makers toward cleaner forms of energy — all of which have drawn concern from environmental groups. As the potential impact of Trump’s environmental policies started to sink in, several ParkTok accounts joined a group chat on TikTok. “We started thinking we could probably do some good with this instead of just sharing our hiking videos,” Phoebe said. The group decided to start “doing coordinated, themed posts, in between our silly posts and our nature posts, about the threats of logging and the threats of our public lands being sold and all of these things that have been introduced by the federal government,” she said. The National Park Service and the National Park Foundation did not respond to requests for comment. Some ParkTok videos have racked up hundreds of thousands of views, including one Phoebe posted earlier this month showing videos of Multnomah Falls set to the explicit song “Fat Juicy & Wet.” They’re not all sexually suggestive. One video, posted by an unofficial Bryce Canyon National Park account, shows a scenic image of nature with a voiceover saying, “show me the reason you have no money,” and then it cuts to an image of the White House. It’s been viewed more than 1 million times. Canadian parks such as Banff National Park have also gotten in on the action to advocate for their American neighbors. Both Tanner and Phoebe said their ParkTok accounts are just hobbies aimed at raising awareness for places they love. They both have full-time jobs and aren’t making money from the accounts, although they said they would donate any future earnings from TikTok’s creator fund to the causes they’re promoting. And Tanner said she thinks ParkTok can help bridge the divide between people from different political parties because “one thing that does bring a lot of people together is the national parks and national forests.” “If you see these beautiful images and these beautiful photos,” she said, “you start to fall in love with these places, you start to get attached to them, then your natural instinct is going to be to want to protect it.”
Viral, raunchy ‘ParkTok’ trend aims to raise awareness of spending cuts to national parks
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"TikTok Trend 'ParkTok' Combines Humor and Activism to Highlight National Park Funding Cuts"
CNN
7.5
TruthLens AI Summary
The viral trend known as ParkTok has emerged on TikTok, blending sexually suggestive clips with stunning visuals of America's national parks to raise awareness about significant cuts to public land protections. The trend began with unofficial accounts dedicated to showcasing the natural beauty of parks such as the Grand Canyon and Havasu Falls. These accounts utilize humor and playful banter to engage viewers while simultaneously addressing serious issues concerning environmental policies under the Trump administration, which have threatened the staffing and operational capabilities of national parks. Many videos encourage viewers to support organizations like the National Park Foundation or to advocate for public lands by contacting their local representatives. Kim Tanner, who manages the popular Joshua Tree account, emphasizes that while the content may initially draw viewers in, the ultimate goal is to educate and inspire action regarding the preservation of these natural wonders.
The inception of ParkTok can be traced back to last fall, when park enthusiasts began sharing their love for local parks. However, the trend gained momentum following the drastic workforce reductions within the National Park Service and other federal agencies early in the Trump administration. This prompted several account holders to pivot their focus from purely showcasing nature to actively addressing the threats posed by policies favoring drilling, mining, and logging in protected areas. Collaborative efforts among ParkTok users led to themed posts that highlight these dangers, often juxtaposed with humorous or engaging content. These videos have garnered significant attention, with some achieving hundreds of thousands of views, showcasing a unique blend of entertainment and activism. As users like Tanner and Phoebe continue to promote the beauty of national parks, they hope to unite people across political divides in a shared appreciation for these landscapes, fostering a collective desire to protect them from impending threats.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article elaborates on a viral trend known as 'ParkTok' which combines sexually suggestive content with beautiful imagery of national parks in the U.S. This trend has gained momentum on TikTok as a means to raise awareness about budget cuts to public lands and the ongoing challenges faced by national parks under current political conditions.
Purpose of the Article
The primary aim is to highlight how social media trends can be harnessed to bring attention to serious issues such as the funding cuts affecting national parks. By using humor and eye-catching visuals, the creators of these videos hope to engage a broader audience in advocacy for public lands.
Public Perception
The article seeks to create a perception that environmental activism can be entertaining and accessible. By framing the discussion around a popular social media trend, it normalizes conversations about national park funding and conservation, thereby increasing public interest and potential involvement.
Potential Concealment
While the article focuses on raising awareness about national parks, it could be seen as diverting attention from more pressing environmental issues, such as climate change or specific legislative actions that may adversely affect these lands. The light-hearted nature of the content may risk minimizing the severity of the threats faced by national parks.
Manipulative Aspect
The article has a moderate level of manipulativeness, particularly in how it juxtaposes appealing visuals with urgent calls to action. This approach could be interpreted as using sensationalism to garner attention for a serious cause. However, it does not overtly deceive the audience; rather, it aims to engage them in a unique way.
Truthfulness
The information provided in the article appears credible, as it discusses a real phenomenon on social media and references legitimate organizations involved in conservation efforts. The details align with existing knowledge about budget cuts to national parks and the political context surrounding them.
Social Narrative
The narrative presented promotes a message of environmental consciousness while simultaneously leveraging a popular trend to engage younger audiences who may not typically participate in activism. This dual approach could foster a new generation of environmentally aware citizens.
Connections to Other News
This article connects with a broader discussion regarding public lands and environmental issues, especially in the context of the Trump administration's policies. It can be linked to other environmental advocacy efforts that utilize social media to mobilize support.
Impact on Society and Economy
The trend could encourage more people to advocate for national parks, potentially influencing policy decisions. Increased awareness may lead to greater funding for conservation efforts, impacting local economies that rely on tourism related to natural parks.
Target Audience
The trend resonates particularly well with younger demographics who are active on platforms like TikTok. It appeals to those interested in environmental issues but who prefer engaging content that is entertaining rather than purely informational.
Market Influence
This article may not directly impact stock markets, but it could influence companies involved in eco-tourism, outdoor gear, and conservation funding. Increased public interest in national parks could lead to a rise in tourism-related stocks.
Global Power Dynamics
While the article does not directly address global power dynamics, it reflects a growing trend of environmental consciousness that transcends national borders. It aligns with global discussions on climate change and conservation.
Use of AI in Writing
There is no clear indication that AI was employed in the composition of this article. However, if AI were used, it could have assisted in structuring the narrative or analyzing social media trends. The tone is consistent with human-generated content, focusing on engagement rather than technical jargon.
Conclusion on Manipulation
The article could be seen as manipulating public sentiment by framing environmental activism in a light-hearted manner. However, this method serves to engage a wider audience rather than mislead them.
In summary, the article presents a unique intersection of social media trends and environmental advocacy while maintaining a generally credible stance on the issues it discusses.