In the last few weeks there has been an abundance of posts, articles and think pieces about right-wing alternative media figures and their impact on the American electorate.
Also, I can easily see The American Prospect being the ‘big tent’ anchor magazine of the whole Party in the next few years, since it’s practically already the New Brandeis crowd’s favorite; as for future streaming stars, the more upscale, low-key Party apparatchiks might like imreallyimportant more than either Hasan or Destiny. But yeah, Joe Rogan is unmatched and likely unmatchable in the podcasting world
The online media landscape has become a breeding ground for right wing noise makers since left wing media rarely take risks and always play by the rules. We need to stop sitting on the sidelines while young people get indoctrinated into conservative memes and start creating content that speaks directly to their lived experiences. It's overdue that the left bring fight to the right by building a counter narrative that can actually compete. I'm down with your vision of an unabashedly socialist left taking control of our narrative – we must leverage every tool at our disposal, break down the status quo, be willing to play dirty, push the boundaries of the rules, and pave the way for a more just society.
Just a few loosely related thoughts. I feel like this is more of a criticism on the state of entertainment itself. To that end, no, there's no need for a liberal Joe Rogan (which I think you conclude at one point but maybe un-conclude later on?). Either way, I agree with the conclusion that society doesn't need these influencers or more of them. What it desperately needs are alternative institutions (for lack of a better word), that actually reject the memes, entertainment, gamification and product hawking that has enmeshed itself in politics and life in general. The kids aren't fucking stupid and the vote for Trump is as much laughing with the right as it is laughing at them. And not even because it's that funny but because they have nothing better to do with their votes or with their lives... Republicans probably already sense the limits of their 2024 strategy and are already working on crafting more meaningful, sincere messaging.
Have you considered that young men are not completely fungible and moldable, but have inborn desires that are spoken to by Rogan et al? They enjoy combat sports and gambling not because they have been propagandized, but because young men love winning and taking risks, and they will not be swayed by promises of safety administered thru social democracy.
I think part of it starts with the need for self-help (also therapy), which is always individual focused. Having just finished reading Naomi Klein's Doppelganger, it's clear to me that a more solidary/collective perspective is increasingly harder to foster.
Wait I thought you were the liberal Joe Rogan
Based and Allende-pilled, may Staffordwave rule the internet for 1000 years
Also, I can easily see The American Prospect being the ‘big tent’ anchor magazine of the whole Party in the next few years, since it’s practically already the New Brandeis crowd’s favorite; as for future streaming stars, the more upscale, low-key Party apparatchiks might like imreallyimportant more than either Hasan or Destiny. But yeah, Joe Rogan is unmatched and likely unmatchable in the podcasting world
The online media landscape has become a breeding ground for right wing noise makers since left wing media rarely take risks and always play by the rules. We need to stop sitting on the sidelines while young people get indoctrinated into conservative memes and start creating content that speaks directly to their lived experiences. It's overdue that the left bring fight to the right by building a counter narrative that can actually compete. I'm down with your vision of an unabashedly socialist left taking control of our narrative – we must leverage every tool at our disposal, break down the status quo, be willing to play dirty, push the boundaries of the rules, and pave the way for a more just society.
Just a few loosely related thoughts. I feel like this is more of a criticism on the state of entertainment itself. To that end, no, there's no need for a liberal Joe Rogan (which I think you conclude at one point but maybe un-conclude later on?). Either way, I agree with the conclusion that society doesn't need these influencers or more of them. What it desperately needs are alternative institutions (for lack of a better word), that actually reject the memes, entertainment, gamification and product hawking that has enmeshed itself in politics and life in general. The kids aren't fucking stupid and the vote for Trump is as much laughing with the right as it is laughing at them. And not even because it's that funny but because they have nothing better to do with their votes or with their lives... Republicans probably already sense the limits of their 2024 strategy and are already working on crafting more meaningful, sincere messaging.
Have you considered that young men are not completely fungible and moldable, but have inborn desires that are spoken to by Rogan et al? They enjoy combat sports and gambling not because they have been propagandized, but because young men love winning and taking risks, and they will not be swayed by promises of safety administered thru social democracy.
I think part of it starts with the need for self-help (also therapy), which is always individual focused. Having just finished reading Naomi Klein's Doppelganger, it's clear to me that a more solidary/collective perspective is increasingly harder to foster.
I don't know if you've ever come across the work of Rhyd Wildermuth but I think you guys could have a really interesting discussion.
We do need a liberal Joe Rogan. In fact, we need about 50 of them.