A wave of AI-generated videos is sweeping across social media, portraying a bizarre and often exaggerated vision of urban decline in the UK, particularly in Croydon. This trend, which has been dubbed “decline porn,” features absurd scenarios that often fuel negative perceptions of cities and communities. With millions of views on platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels, these videos raise questions about the boundaries of satire, the responsibilities of content creators, and the impact of misinformation.
The Rise of AI Deepfakes in Urban Narratives
In one striking example, an AI-generated clip depicts a group of young men, primarily wearing balaclavas and padded jackets, sliding into a filthy swimming pool. The caption misleadingly describes this scene as a public water park funded by taxpayers in Croydon. Such outrageous portrayals have become increasingly common, as content creators leverage generative AI tools to fabricate outlandish scenarios that attract attention and engagement.
These deepfakes are not merely standalone curiosities; they are part of a broader trend where influencers depict major Western cities like London and New York as rife with crime and immigration issues. This phenomenon has been labelled “decline porn,” as it often combines hyperbole with a grain of truth, leading to genuine outrage among viewers who take the content at face value.
Meet the Creator Behind the Controversy
The BBC’s investigative podcast, “Top Comment,” explored the origins of these Croydon videos and identified the creator known as RadialB. This individual, who remains anonymous, claims his intention is to entertain rather than provoke political discourse. However, he acknowledges that the absurdity of his videos has resonated with audiences, leading to a plethora of copycat accounts generating similar content.
RadialB, who describes himself as being in his twenties and hailing from North West England, asserts that he has never visited Croydon. Despite the absurdity of his videos, he has tapped into a potent mix of humour and shock value. “If people saw it and immediately knew it was fake, they would just scroll past,” he explains, underscoring the allure of realism in generative AI models.
These videos often feature “roadmen,” a term used to describe urban youth, who are portrayed in exaggeratedly grim settings. One clip featuring roadmen in Parliament garnered an astonishing eight million views in a single day. While RadialB admits that some of the comments may contain racist sentiments, he insists that social media platforms filter such remarks, distancing himself from any allegations of promoting hate.
A Distorted Reality: The Impact of Misinformation
Critics of these videos have raised concerns about the damaging narratives they perpetuate. A TikTok user from Croydon, known as C.Tino, expressed frustration over the portrayal of the area as a “ghetto.” He argued that such content misleads viewers and contributes to harmful stereotypes, stating, “These videos are making people think this is real life. It’s becoming out of hand now.”
RadialB attributes the surge in AI-generated content to advancements in technology, which have made it easier for anyone to create and share fabricated videos. He acknowledges that many of his imitators are primarily motivated by the potential for engagement and monetisation on platforms like Facebook. This trend is not confined to the UK, with users from various countries, including Israel and Brazil, sharing these videos purely for the sake of virality.
The spread of these deepfakes aligns with a growing narrative that portrays urban areas in decline due to crime and immigration. Influential figures, including tech mogul Elon Musk, have echoed these sentiments, often framing discussions around British decline in a sensationalist manner.
The Social Media Landscape and Its Responsibilities
The proliferation of videos featuring exaggerated depictions of urban decay has sparked a discussion about the responsibilities of social media platforms. TikTok, Instagram, and X enforce policies against racist content, yet the effectiveness of these measures is questioned when users are still convinced by fabricated narratives. RadialB claims that his work is simply a humorous art form, leaving it to audiences to interpret the content as they wish.
Despite acknowledging the political reactions his videos evoke, he maintains that he is not a “decline porn” influencer. Instead, he presents himself as a creator seeking to entertain while navigating the recommendation algorithms of social media.
However, the evidence suggests that many viewers are unable to distinguish between satire and reality. A recent YouGov poll indicated that a significant portion of the British population perceives London as unsafe, even though only a third of Londoners agreed with this assessment. The disconnect between perception and reality highlights the dangers of content that distorts the truth.
Why it Matters
The rise of AI-generated deepfake videos represents a troubling intersection of entertainment and misinformation. As creators like RadialB gain popularity by distorting urban realities, the implications are far-reaching. These narratives can reinforce harmful stereotypes, fuel racist sentiments, and contribute to a collective anxiety about urban environments. In an age where information is easily manipulated and shared, it is crucial for audiences to remain discerning and for platforms to enforce accountability. The responsibility lies not just with creators, but with all of us as consumers of media to seek the truth amidst the chaos.
