Move over Bean Soup, Burnt Toast, and Taxi Cab, because a new supposed ‘theory’ is currently overrunning TikTok’s For You Page (FYP). The Septum Ring Theory has captured the attention of users, sparking debate and controversy across the platform.
For those who haven’t spent every waking moment on TikTok, since its inception, the app has become a breeding ground for viral moments and so-called theories. These theories, while often humorous or relatable, rarely hold scientific merit. The Bean Soup Theory, for instance, suggests that social media users make every post about themselves, while the Burnt Toast Theory posits that minor inconveniences, like burning your toast, serve a predetermined silver lining.
Enter the Septum Ring Theory, a concept that suggests individuals with pierced septums are prone to oversharing their traumas online. Coined by Torraine Walker, a self-proclaimed ‘men’s rights activist’, the theory has gained traction, albeit controversially. Walker first mentioned the theory in 2017, claiming that many viral videos pushing for progressive ideas were created by women with pierced septums. By 2025, the theory expanded to suggest that those with a “woe-is-me” attitude often have a nose ring.
The Origins and Evolution of the Septum Ring Theory
The Septum Ring Theory is reminiscent of other viral memes and stereotypes, such as the notion that non-binary individuals are baristas with blue hair, or that any woman demanding to speak to a manager is named Karen. Despite the fancy-sounding term ‘theory’, the Septum Ring discourse is ultimately just another stereotype, albeit one dressed as ‘science’.
According to Walker’s dubious logic, one could propose a ‘right-wing man theory’: that those complaining about ‘woke’ snowflakes are, almost always, right-wing men. This satirical take highlights the absurdity of such generalizations.
Reactions and Rebuttals from TikTok Users
In the wake of the theory’s popularity, many septum-pierced TikTok users have responded by either rebutting the claims, embracing their ringed noses, or reclaiming the stereotype as a source of pride. One TikToker quipped,
“It’s a piece of metal that I can take out at any time, but can you bring back the light into your mother’s eyes?”
Others have stated they don’t “want a man who cries about a piece of metal” or proposed an alternate theory that “all girls with septum rings are hot.”
Laura Masia, a senior entertainment reporter at PEDESTRIAN.TV, also stood firm in her decade-long sporting of the septum ring, expressing her pride in the alternative image it presents.
“As a left-leaning, feminist gal, I’m proud to fall into the stereotype,”
she said.
The Broader Implications and Future of Viral Theories
While the reclamation of the stereotype by septum-pierced individuals is promising, the nature of TikTok means the Septum Ring Theory will likely be overshadowed by another viral theory soon enough. The platform’s penchant for creating and discarding trends suggests that something equally nonsensical and hyper-specific, like the Yellow Pillow Theory or the Joey from Friends Theory, could emerge next.
In a digital landscape where viral content can rapidly shape public discourse, the Septum Ring Theory serves as a reminder of the power and pitfalls of social media. As users continue to navigate this ever-evolving space, the challenge remains to discern meaningful dialogue from mere digital noise.
