Kulturkampf

[PhoenixDark]

There's some lazy boths-sides stuff in there but overall I agree. We're witnessing an interesting mixture of anti-intellectualism and anti-expertise mixed with a post truth society where the only thing that matters is political will. It doesn't matter if Russell Brand is a rapist or not, he's on the Good Side and the Bad Side wants to eliminate him so we must...subscribe to his channel, donate to his legal fund, and pay for his Patreon. It's a pretty genius scam reminiscent of mega church pastors demanding absolute reverence from their congregation.

Of course, the Brand story is incredibly detailed and researched. And you can bet that, as with every other major Me Too story from Weinstein to Cosby, more women will come out. At which point Elon and others will have to dig their heels in until it's too late. But it doesn't matter. He's on our side, and whether he goes to jail or remains free it doesn't matter.

The thing that interests me most is the thought process. During the pandemic I watched some Joe Rogan for the first time, as well as Joe Budden and others. It's largely the same shit. The way they think is not "normative" or intelligent. It's also performative. They know the audience wants them to "get to the truth" no matter what it is, and that means questioning everything. Was the moon landing faked? Why is the government lying about aliens? Was 911 an inside job? You hook people with that and then go deeper and deeper until it's a psychosis of FUD. 

On the flip side there's this very surface level approach to art where their only interest is in seeking out agendas, easter eggs or insider information. What's the story behind the producer's demands on this movie? Did the label demand this artist collaborate with that artist? And of course...wokeness. You don't hear intelligent discussions about film or television as art, instead it's just #content to be consumed - and the focus is on whether The Powers That Be added wokeness or not. This caters to a very immature, perpetually adolescent group of people who exclusively consume the most juvenile of Stuff. Videogames, Star Wars, comic books, Disney cartoon remakes. And when they decide to eat some vegetables like a big boy, they still find a way to bring the psychosis in. I can't wait to see the insane "wokeness" accusations that will be hurled at that upcoming Scorsese film for instance. There will be no discussion of the film's themes or dialogue or acting. It'll be pure political warfare.