Samuel is 17. Rumspringa. English friend (Jason, from school across the road) showed YouTube. Laptop in pickup, Walmart parking lot.
First video: cat on skateboard. Samuel laughed (cats — relatable, funny). Second: iPhone review. Samuel didn't understand (why?). Third: TikTok compilation. Samuel watched 3 minutes. Closed it.
'What's wrong?' asked Jason. 'They're all sad,' said Samuel. 'Who?' 'The people. In those videos. They dance, shout, make faces — but their eyes are sad. Like a dog wagging its tail but not happy.'
Jason was silent. Thinking. Then opened TikTok on his phone. Watched. Closed. 'Damn. You're right.'
Samuel returned to the community. Baptized at 19. Never saw internet again. Doesn't regret it.