A Guide to Children’s Culture for Out-of-Touch Adults: What Are “happy Capsules”?
This week in the “Out of Touch Guide,” we explore how a LEGO set sale in Oregon led to a series of high-stakes lawsuits involving millions of bystanders, explore what kids mean by “tweaking,” and explore Lucky Scoops, a gambling game beloved by children.
What does “settings” mean on TikTok?
The word “tweaking” originates from the Old English word twicchen , meaning to pluck sharply, like a hen’s feathers. It later evolved into “tweaking,” which has a similar meaning and is often used to describe the twitching of the nose. In the early 20th century, “tweaking” came to mean making minute adjustments to a machine. It then entered slang as a verb denoting the nervous and inappropriate actions of someone under the influence of drugs, particularly amphetamines. Such a person might be called a “tweaker,” and methamphetamine is sometimes called a “tweak.” Generations A and Z expanded the definition to include any actions that are inappropriate or even just mildly energetic, not necessarily related to drug use. The word is often used in memes like this:
Judging by the #tweaker hashtag on TikTok, “tweaking” may refer to innocent excitement, but “tweaker” is still associated with drug use. (For more Gen Z and Gen A slang , check out Lifehacker’s youth slang glossary .)
What are “Lucky Scoops”?
Kids absolutely adore “lucky toss” videos—clips where a salesperson prepares customers’ orders by scooping brightly colored trinkets or tokens from a bowl, which determines the item the customer will receive. The lucky winner might receive a watch, a handbag, or a stuffed animal. Accounts like @kk_scoop50 and @lucky.rosia on TikTok and Instagram have hundreds of thousands of followers, and videos like this one:
and this:
They’re gaining millions of views. These videos have much in common with ASMR videos, but they also feature a strong element of gambling—hence the word “lucky” in the expression “lucky throws.”
I’m sure you’re mature and cynical enough to understand the problem. This TikToker sells ice cream cones for $99 each , and this one sells for $94 each , but the “winning” cones are cheap goods that you could buy yourself for much less, and even if a cone sometimes wins a valuable prize, the cost of trying to win it is undoubtedly higher than simply buying it. Essentially, they’re selling the same thing as casinos: the adrenaline rush that comes with the chance to win. But casinos have regulators, and casinos are for adults.
Some youth advocates have begun sounding the alarm, warning that the habit of buying candy from the lottery could develop into a gambling addiction . “You’ll become accustomed to the uncertainty and be more willing to make repeat purchases in pursuit of rare or valuable prizes, despite the long odds,” Mina Hazar, head of the youth gambling awareness program at the YMCA of Greater Toronto, told CBC .
TikTok’s gambling policy prohibits the posting of videos featuring “lucky offers,” “prize draws,” “lucky spins,” and “oyster openings,” but also states that specially invited and pre-approved sellers can host prize draws on the TikTok store, provided that the price is capped at $100 and the exact probabilities of which items are included in the draw are clearly stated.
Viral Video of the Week: I Tracked Down a Thief Who Stole $200,000 Worth of LEGOs
If you have a few hours to spare, check out this investigation into an alleged LEGO set theft. It might not seem exciting, but trust me. YouTuber Reckless Ben , real name Ben Schneider, is like the bastard child of Jackass and 60 Minutes; he’s known for his slacklining prowess and his unfettered YouTube infiltration of controversial organizations like the Church of Scientology and the truly terrifying 12 Tribes cult . You wouldn’t think a civil dispute over LEGO sets would be Ben’s most dangerous mission, but it has led to death threats, lawsuits from a multimillion-dollar corporation, the intervention of an apparently corrupt small-town police department, and the arrest and possible felony charges of Ben, not the alleged LEGO thief.
As Ben describes it, it’s a story of David versus Goliath, with the Goliath being an unlikely company: LEGO resale store chain Bricks & Minifigs . It all started when Brian Mansell entered into a consignment agreement with Bricks & Minifigs, an Oregon store. Mansell sold/sells the world’s largest collection of Star Wars LEGO sets, valued at approximately $200,000. The B&M franchise changed hands, and it appears the new owner is refusing to honor the consignment agreement and is refusing to return the LEGOs. Believing that legal action against B&M would be too costly, Mansell took his story to social media, attracting the attention of “Reckless Ben,” leading to this video series and the kind of public relations nightmare that keeps corporate executives awake at night—no matter how convincing the corporate version of events. According to online reviews, the damage to Bricks & Minifigs is estimated to be well over $200,000.
This twisted and convoluted story is still unfolding in real life and online, with the repercussions of Ben’s videos spreading from the LEGO fan community to mainstream media . Stay tuned for a gripping summer drama that’s better than the TV show.