The lolcow phenomenon exposes how vulnerable people, often with developmental/intellectual disabilities or mental health challenges, are exploited online for entertainment. To me, this phenomenon seems like an obvious symptom of a sick society. Figures like Joshua Block and Daniel Larson weren’t just mocked; they were shaped by their environments (including the internet). What has unfolded in their cases is absolutely tragic. It's also a clear reflection of how easily cruelty can become content when systems meant to support vulnerable people fail them.

Sources:
Traynor, L. (2024, October 2). When People Become Punchlines: The Dangers of Lolcow Culture. Just N Life.
Jama, A. (2025, March 6). When 15 Minutes of Fame Goes Wrong: The Troublesome Trend of ‘Lolcows’. The Heights Herald.
Holmes, H. (2023, December 22). The Voyeuristic Obsession With One Binge-Drinking TikToker. The Daily Beast.
Business Insider. (2021, August 3). Kiwi Farms: The Forum Made to Troll Chris Chan.
Unilad News. (2024, May 15). TikToker to Remain in Jail After Threatening to Blow Up the White House.
TMZ. (2025, February 15). Joshua Block Has Breakdown in Japan, Police Detain Him.
Kiwi Tapes Wiki.
Reddit – r/WorldOfTShirts and r/Youtubedrama.
Kiwi Farms forum threads – Christian Weston Chandler and others.
CWC Wiki – Archive of Christine Weston Chandler’s history.
YouTube videos by Turkey Tom, SmokeyMcC, and Kiwi Tapes.
Public TikTok posts and livestreams by Joshua Block and Daniel Larson.
Reddit comments and threads discussing lolcows.

   / @muckhole