Restore Britain, Merlin the duck, and FIFA's content farm

Erling Haaland, crypto billionaires, and the foxes incident

You may already think crypto is overexposed online, but is what we're experiencing just the tip of the iceberg? On this episode, Matt talks about his new BBC documentary in which he meets some of the tech billionaires who believe blockchain can be used to transform the fabric of society. From micronations to corporate monarchies, we outline their radical vision for the future. Also this week, why psychologists are worried about the growing trend of ADHD self-diagnosis via social media. A study from earlier this year said 52% of ADHD-related videos on TikTok were inaccurate. Matt and Marianna discuss the real world impacts, and why this type of misinformation can attract such high levels of engagement. Plus, Erling Haaland's 'braut summer' in Agartha. Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The social producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Jonny Baker. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. You can watch Matt's full documentary, The Tech Billionaire Takeover, via this link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002z1j2 [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002z1j2] If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is topcomment@bbc.co.uk [topcomment@bbc.co.uk] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Solo-maxxing and the femosphere (live at Crossed Wires)

Marianna is joined by guest host Rachel Connolly to journey into the lives of femcels, tradwives, and so-called loneliness influencers. As the merits of social isolation are preached on our feeds, why has solo-maxxing gone from a cheap Gen Z life hack to a dedicated philosophy for many users? How is the femosphere shifting conversations around gender dynamics and heteropessimism? And what does the tradwife trend tell us about the perils of pursuing authenticity as a creator in the volatile world of social media? This episode of Top Comment was recorded live at Crossed Wires in Sheffield. It was presented by Marianna Spring. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The social producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Hannah Montgomery. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is topcomment@bbc.co.uk [topcomment@bbc.co.uk] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Gabriel Shemirani on medical misinfo and rejecting Conspiracyland

One year on from the BBC's investigation into the death of 23-year-old Paloma Shemirani - and two years since it happened - this episode of Top Comment explores what the case tells us about the dangers of medical misinformation. Last June, Marianna revealed how Paloma’s brothers blamed their mother - the prominent anti-medicine conspiracy theorist Kate Shemirani - for Paloma’s decision to reject chemotherapy. She denies these allegations. Now, we speak to Paloma's twin brother Gabriel about the aftermath of the inquest, what he wants to change to protect people like his sister, and the evolution of unregulated health advice online. This episode of Top Comment is presented by Marianna Spring. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The social producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. To listen to the full series investigating Paloma's death, Marianna in Conspiracy Land 2, just follow the link here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002fcbh [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002fcbh] If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is topcomment@bbc.co.uk [topcomment@bbc.co.uk] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Restore Britain, Merlin the duck, and FIFA's content farm

After achieving 7% of the vote in last week's Makerfield by-election, the social-led strategy of emerging right-wing party Restore Britain has come under the spotlight. Various anecdotal reports have concluded that their relative success feels disproportionate to their presence on the ground, but their growing prominence online is inarguable - leader Rupert Lowe has over 2m followers across X and Facebook, and Elon Musk has repeatedly backed the party. So, was this a party born out of social media, and are they rejecting traditional campaigning? Marianna has been speaking to the party's chief strategist, Charlie Downes, about their approach and similar online movements which may have inspired them. Also this week - as the World Cup group stage approaches its climax, internet discourse surrounding the tournament is already moving at a lightning pace. From the overnight fame of Vozinha and Merlin the duck to Lawrence, Kansas falling in love with the Algerian national team, it has provided a conveyor belt of viral moments. Matt and Marianna discuss whether global events like this represent an idealist vision of the benefits social media platforms could have, and why some may see it as the ultimate 'bread and circuses' distraction. Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The social producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is topcomment@bbc.co.uk [topcomment@bbc.co.uk] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.

Agartha explained, and hot girls revolt on BookTok

The BookTok community has erupted after creator AllieRoseCo announced she had trademarked merchandise featuring the phrase 'Hot Girls Read'. User backlash was instantaneous, with many accusing her of attacking small businesses and even betraying her own followers. On this episode, Marianna explains why BookTok is such an influential marketing demographic on TikTok, and what this controversy tells us about the fragility of influencer careers tied exclusively to a personal brand. Also this week, a viral photo which appears to show Donald Trump meeting with a group of mysterious figures has led to a raft of theories about their identities. One of the most prominent narratives to emerge is that the men are representatives of the mythical kingdom Agartha. Matt dives deep into the lore on Agartha, and its adoption by Nazi occultists. Why has this theory seen such a resurgence among young people on TikTok, and how dangerous is the implicit ideology behind it? Top Comment is hosted by Marianna Spring and Matt Shea. The series producer is Laurie Kalus. The social producer is Sophie Millward. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The editor is Justine Lang. The senior news editor is Sam Bonham. If you want to get in touch about something that's popped up on your feed, our email address is topcomment@bbc.co.uk [topcomment@bbc.co.uk] or you can send us a WhatsApp on +44 330 123 9480.