You’ve seen him. Maybe it was a clip of a guy screaming about a "broken nose" in a Berkeley street or a video of someone chugging a Twisted Tea while wandering through Times Square at 3 a.m. Joshua Block, known to his 4 million TikTok followers as World of T-Shirts, is one of those internet figures who is basically impossible to ignore once he hits your FYP. He's a 24-year-old creator who went from a quirky kid dancing to "Empire State of Mind" to a lightning rod for controversy, concerns over exploitation, and very public legal run-ins.
Honestly, the story of Joshua Block is kinda heavy. It’s not just about a guy who got famous; it’s about what happens when a vulnerable person becomes a "lolcow" for the digital age.
The Rise of World of T-Shirts
Josh didn't start out as the "volatile" figure he is today. Back in 2020 and 2021, his content was mostly wholesome. He wore a captain’s hat, sang songs, and talked about his dream of starting a t-shirt business—hence the name "World of T-Shirts." He was a kid from Virginia who moved to New York and seemed genuinely enamored with the city’s energy.
Then things shifted.
The "Captain" persona started to merge with a much darker reality. By late 2022, the content moved away from coffee reviews and sightseeing to heavy drinking. It wasn't just a party phase. Fans began tracking his intake, often noting he would consume 30+ drinks a day on livestream. This led to his "Blockumentaries"—unfiltered, live-streamed windows into his life that became increasingly chaotic. You might remember the "put the fries in the bag" meme, which came from a genuine moment of frustration at a McDonald's that the internet turned into a global catchphrase.
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The Recent Chaos: Berkeley and Beyond
If you’re looking for why he’s trending right now in early 2026, it usually stems from a string of incidents in late 2025. In October 2025, Joshua was at UC Berkeley when things turned violent. According to multiple reports and viral footage, Block was recorded shouting "I hate immigrants" repeatedly outside a sports bar. The situation escalated fast.
A bystander eventually punched him in the face, and Josh was left screaming about a broken nose. He later posted on Instagram about the "disgusting video" of him getting hit, but the fallout was massive. He faced potential charges in Berkeley, and the incident sparked a huge debate. Some people say his autism—which he has been very open about—makes him a target for manipulation, while others argue that being on the spectrum doesn't excuse hateful rhetoric or public intoxication.
The Management Question: Who Is Mr. Based?
One of the biggest points of contention in the Joshua Block lore is the people he hangs out with. Enter Jason Itzler, known online as Mr. Based.
Many fans and fellow creators, like the YouTuber Pyrocynical, have expressed serious worry about this partnership. Mr. Based, who has a history involving legal trouble and running an escort service, has been acting as a sort of manager/handler for Josh. Critics argue that these "handlers" encourage Josh’s worst impulses because the more he "crashes out" or acts erratically, the more views the livestreams get.
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It’s a weird, parasocial cycle. People watch because it’s a train wreck, and the handlers keep the train moving because the views pay the bills. Josh has even been seen hanging with other controversial streamers like Jack Doherty, further cementing his place in a very specific, high-stakes corner of the internet.
Breaking Down the Numbers
You’d think someone with millions of followers would be set for life. It’s complicated. Josh has claimed at various times that he makes $400,000 a year, but then he’ll turn around and tell his audience that "janitors make more" than him. His revenue mostly comes from:
- TikTok Creator Rewards and livestream gifts.
- Cameo videos where he says his catchphrases for a fee.
- Tours: He actually runs (or ran) "World of T-Shirts Tours" in NYC, charging fans to walk around the city with him.
- Parti and Kick: He frequently moves to different streaming platforms to avoid bans.
Is There a Way Back?
Actually, many people think Josh is at a breaking point. Throughout 2025, there were reports of him rejecting interventions. In one notable stream, he was seen near train tracks in a state of distress, which led to a "citizen's arrest" and him being handed over to the police for his own safety.
There is a doctor in Arkansas named Dr. Joshua Block, but don't get them confused—that's a family medicine physician with a totally different life. The TikTok Josh is currently navigating a world where his health is visibly declining, and his legal troubles are mounting.
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The reality of Joshua Block is that he is a young man with a disability living his life as a 24/7 reality show. While some see him as a villain for the things he says when intoxicated, others see a person who desperately needs a break from the internet and a support system that isn't focused on "content."
What You Can Do
If you follow the "World of T-Shirts" saga, the best way to interact with his content is with a healthy dose of skepticism and empathy.
- Don't reward the "crash-outs": Watching and sharing the most violent or erratic clips often encourages the handlers to keep pushing him.
- Support better creators: If you're interested in NYC culture or autism advocacy, there are many creators who provide insight without the exploitation.
- Report dangerous behavior: If a livestream depicts someone in immediate physical danger, use the platform's reporting tools rather than just commenting.
The story isn't over, but it's clear that the path Joshua Block is on isn't sustainable. Whether he finds a way to step back or continues down this road is the question everyone is asking in 2026.