A YouTuber kicks up a stink over a flatulent “reaction” video
Copyright lawyers debate the transformative power of passing gas
“Reaction” clips are a staple of the online world. After one person makes a viral video, others film themselves responding to it, riffing on the original with commentary, quips or funny expressions. Derivative as they may sound, such videos are big business: Khaby Lame, the most followed person on TikTok, uses the reaction format in most of his clips, which have been liked 2.5bn times.
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This article appeared in the Culture section of the print edition under the headline “Causing a stink”
Culture
July 5th 2025- The TV shows people risk death to watch
- A YouTuber kicks up a stink over a flatulent “reaction” video
- Hollywood’s new favourite villain
- Before there was Oprah’s Book Club, there was the Book Society
- Inside the uneasy, incongruous coalition of the Big Three
- Stop crying your heart out—for Oasis have returned to the stage
From the July 5th 2025 edition
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