Moonbeam.
If you have been on the internet for the last three months, no doubt your mind went to one place. Benson Boone’s popularity didn’t start with his new song, Mystical Magical, “Moonbeam Ice Cream”. An appearance on American Idol here, a backflip behind Lana Del Rey there, his top hit “Beautiful Things” playing hourly at your local Coles, he’s been around. A singer you’ve heard of but can’t necessarily name at the top of your head.
So, when he announced his most recent song, it was assumed the internet would just shrug. Nope. Cue the purge alarm, Boone did it, created the worst song of the century. The internet demonstrated its creativity with comments such as “idk why I hate Benson Boone, I just do.” And many colourful comments regarding his attempts to be revolutionary.
After months of hatred towards the backflipping artist, one random TikToker simply states, “Am I tripping, or is this song not that bad?” Then those same people screaming in outrage reclaimed their new Harry Styles overnight, leaving even Benson Boone himself shocked. Are we forming our own opinions anymore, or do we just follow the loudest voice in the room?
The Switch up is Crazy (I’m not used to moonbeam positivity). #wtf #wtaf #wut – Benson Boone via TikTok
The song itself isn’t incredible, it’s catchy bedroom pop, a repeat on the retail playlist. But that’s not the issue. Propeller discusses how TikTok’s algorithm is strategic, rapidly funnelling you into these micro-communities of people who think the same things. Quickly, exposure to one side of an argument shifts or empowers your beliefs. All it takes is one person to say “it’s not terrible” for the masses to shift their opinions.
Sure, this effect isn’t causing extreme political corruption, but isn’t it a bit worrying how, as a younger generation, we are already expressing how easily we can be swayed? Opinions are meant to be personal, maybe a little controversial at times. Now it’s just social proof on steroids.
Moonbeam Ice-cream? It’s okay. What isn’t is us waiting for the internet to tell us our opinions are valid. Because then, are we even thinking for ourselves, or are we just moving with the algorithm? That one TikTok by user @theconsumerr defending Moonbeam ice cream isn’t about the song anymore, it’s demonstrating how fast society can do a 180.
Perhaps the danger of Moonbeam ice cream isn’t Benson Boone’s vocals or shiny outfits, it’s the vanilla crowd we call public opinion.
meah taylor 
Elizabeth Harris 
Ebony B