I wonder if this is what it felt like to be an indigenous person when the conquistadors arrived? A feeling that one doesn't quite know what the next move is or precisely why this small number of organised people are so successful. But an ominous feeling that, despite the disparity in numbers, they're dividing and conquering us even though we could and should be crushing them?
"This is what culture is now: men talking to other men to an audience of men on platforms owned by men powered by algorithms that men built about a political system that men dominate and control."
It's not that I didn't know this, but it really made something click for me. Thanks as ever for your work.
Great article but the first paragraph is outdated. The Washington Post has been neither neutral nor reliable since its sale to Bezos, and egregiously so running up to November's election. Also, to compare Maddow on MSNBC to Fox is a poor choice; they are not opposite ends of the same spectrum. Yes, Maddow has a liberal bias while Fox is conservative, but Maddow is fact-based in her bias, while Fox offers straight up lies in its commentary. Otherwise a good read.
Hi Jan, both good points. I feel bad for the very good WaPo journalists still doing very good work, but your point about reliability is key. And, fair comment re Maddow and Fox though the broader point is that they both do "comment". Thanks for reading
I would argue it isn't a papers job to be neutral. It's their job to report facts. When they fail to do so like they did here it makes them just as unreliable as a propaganda network.
Social media's influence turning headlines into clickbait instead of statements of fact has baked into the articles themselves to the extent that writers bury or never even state the issue at hand or leave out explainer about why statements from politicians aren't true.
It's just as disingenuous as propaganda and those of us who want a trustworthy source recognize it as untrustworthy.
Ironically, "nazi" anything is arguably more clickbait-y and accurate than "hand gesture" and yet the major news orgs avoided the term when the richest man in the world is involved.
I’m horrified and terrified about what has already happened, petrified about what may happen and just at a complete loss as to why more people aren’t resisting and organising to counter the coming tsunami of right wing dominance. ANY helpful suggestions of what I might do practically to help would be invaluable. Keep up your amazing work shining light into dark places.
It's quite a lot that is happening. And you're right. Thiel was missing. In any case, media and culture, and, hence, social media is the battlefield of a cognitive hybridwar, and the working masses are unaware and losing.
Hi Carole, can't women fight back? 80% of women, talking to 80% of women, funded by 80% of women and I'm sure you'll have more men supporting you than these morons. Please do join forces with other women. BoJo's sister interview with you was brilliant! These nutters must stop controlling the world. I'd be a happy follower.
Thanks Nestor. Yes, I gave this newsletter a glib subtitle 'Girl power v tech bros' but it's feeling more and more like, that has to be at least part of the way forward...
In this new reality of smoke, mirrors and money, at the expense of everything that really matters we need more journalists with your courage, fluency and doggedness. Thank you for keeping the flame of truth flickering in some very dark places.
Great to hear someone finally addressing the dark lord Thiel phenomenon… the chess master behind the curtain likely responsible for so much of the chaos and swings we’ve watched in the last 2-3 years.
A couple things to consider: Thiel is waiting for trump to die, he's thinking it won't be long, AND he does not want to compromise the power that comes from working behind a veil. That is part of his capital. Anticipating (perhaps correctly) a short remainder to trump's life, he does not want to waste this capital -- invisibility -- before he is forced to come out of hiding when Vance takes the reigns.
Hi Geraint, yes sadly, I can't correct the emails that already went out but at least it's now correct on the article above. Not nitpicking, don't worry, it's very annoying to me that I got it wrong!!
If I could choose only one ominous issue out of this entire post, it would be this:
"..the real revelation here is not who’s on the dais, but who’s not. One man, the dark lord behind all this, was nowhere to be seen. Look at the picture. And then ask: where’s Peter Thiel?"
Yes - out of the many objective and globally consequential disturbances illustrated in Carole's expansive piece, this is my pick for threat number one. That's how serious we need to be taking Peter Thiel.
I'll even Trumpify it for the serfs of the Magadom: PETER THIEL.
I wonder if this is what it felt like to be an indigenous person when the conquistadors arrived? A feeling that one doesn't quite know what the next move is or precisely why this small number of organised people are so successful. But an ominous feeling that, despite the disparity in numbers, they're dividing and conquering us even though we could and should be crushing them?
Take heart that many government workers are protecting our democracy. We will undermine Trump like we did during his first term. His bootlickers are outnumbered 100 to 1! https://democracydefender2025.substack.com/p/the-resistance-is-strong-and-deep
"This is what culture is now: men talking to other men to an audience of men on platforms owned by men powered by algorithms that men built about a political system that men dominate and control."
It's not that I didn't know this, but it really made something click for me. Thanks as ever for your work.
Great work, Carole. It's a privilege to support you. As the Technology Editor who investigated Facebook for Consumer Reports in 2012, I've been trying to keep reporting on this via Substack. My latest piece nails Musk's anti-semitism. I reach 1,000 subscribers, but want to reach many more. Please give it a read. https://open.substack.com/pub/jeff107/p/sociopath-musk-unmovedutterly-detached?r=39dwsc&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=email
Z
Great article but the first paragraph is outdated. The Washington Post has been neither neutral nor reliable since its sale to Bezos, and egregiously so running up to November's election. Also, to compare Maddow on MSNBC to Fox is a poor choice; they are not opposite ends of the same spectrum. Yes, Maddow has a liberal bias while Fox is conservative, but Maddow is fact-based in her bias, while Fox offers straight up lies in its commentary. Otherwise a good read.
Hi Jan, both good points. I feel bad for the very good WaPo journalists still doing very good work, but your point about reliability is key. And, fair comment re Maddow and Fox though the broader point is that they both do "comment". Thanks for reading
Thank you for making the Maddow/Fox point. I was motivated to do the same. 😃
I would argue it isn't a papers job to be neutral. It's their job to report facts. When they fail to do so like they did here it makes them just as unreliable as a propaganda network.
Social media's influence turning headlines into clickbait instead of statements of fact has baked into the articles themselves to the extent that writers bury or never even state the issue at hand or leave out explainer about why statements from politicians aren't true.
It's just as disingenuous as propaganda and those of us who want a trustworthy source recognize it as untrustworthy.
Ironically, "nazi" anything is arguably more clickbait-y and accurate than "hand gesture" and yet the major news orgs avoided the term when the richest man in the world is involved.
Exactly! I'm pretty sure everyone would click on a headline like "The Nazi salute seen round the world"
I’m horrified and terrified about what has already happened, petrified about what may happen and just at a complete loss as to why more people aren’t resisting and organising to counter the coming tsunami of right wing dominance. ANY helpful suggestions of what I might do practically to help would be invaluable. Keep up your amazing work shining light into dark places.
Hey thanks Neville, yes, practical ways forward v important. Am working on it!!
It's quite a lot that is happening. And you're right. Thiel was missing. In any case, media and culture, and, hence, social media is the battlefield of a cognitive hybridwar, and the working masses are unaware and losing.
Hi Carole, can't women fight back? 80% of women, talking to 80% of women, funded by 80% of women and I'm sure you'll have more men supporting you than these morons. Please do join forces with other women. BoJo's sister interview with you was brilliant! These nutters must stop controlling the world. I'd be a happy follower.
Thanks Nestor. Yes, I gave this newsletter a glib subtitle 'Girl power v tech bros' but it's feeling more and more like, that has to be at least part of the way forward...
Heather Cox Richardson: history, Joyce Vance: Law, Krista Tippet: Heart & Spirit
Yes! Krista’s been my guide since Sound and Spirit in the 90’s. Thanks for putting these amazing names in one orbit.
Yes, it's feminism (and eco-feminism) v the the patriarchy (and the tech complex) alright.
It's also Mother Earth v the humanity's extraction and exploitation- she's gonna win, not long now.
50% each of men and women talking to 50% each of men and women would be a better outcome to aim for.
In this new reality of smoke, mirrors and money, at the expense of everything that really matters we need more journalists with your courage, fluency and doggedness. Thank you for keeping the flame of truth flickering in some very dark places.
Great to hear someone finally addressing the dark lord Thiel phenomenon… the chess master behind the curtain likely responsible for so much of the chaos and swings we’ve watched in the last 2-3 years.
Hair raising. I'm with you Carole. Let me know if there's anything I can do. Paid subs following.
That's v kind. Thanks so much, Alison.
Very much agree that Peter Thiel is one to be watching very closely. He is the puppet master.
https://youtu.be/wPoXOwiEfrQ?si=yK1vI2fH-j3gQMq5
This is very well worth a subscription too. Gary speaks a lot of sense.
A couple things to consider: Thiel is waiting for trump to die, he's thinking it won't be long, AND he does not want to compromise the power that comes from working behind a veil. That is part of his capital. Anticipating (perhaps correctly) a short remainder to trump's life, he does not want to waste this capital -- invisibility -- before he is forced to come out of hiding when Vance takes the reigns.
It’s sieg not seig
Yes, corrected!! Thank you. It's why I like having editors!!
But only editors that identify and correct mistakes rather than add them!
Sorry, Carole, but it still says “seig” where I’m reading it (email). At least I feel bad about nitpicking an excellent piece, though 😁
Hi Geraint, yes sadly, I can't correct the emails that already went out but at least it's now correct on the article above. Not nitpicking, don't worry, it's very annoying to me that I got it wrong!!
from the verb siegen (to win)
Fantastic read Carole.
It’s extremely interesting and frightening all at once.
If I could choose only one ominous issue out of this entire post, it would be this:
"..the real revelation here is not who’s on the dais, but who’s not. One man, the dark lord behind all this, was nowhere to be seen. Look at the picture. And then ask: where’s Peter Thiel?"
Yes - out of the many objective and globally consequential disturbances illustrated in Carole's expansive piece, this is my pick for threat number one. That's how serious we need to be taking Peter Thiel.
I'll even Trumpify it for the serfs of the Magadom: PETER THIEL.
Excellent report, Carole. Thank you.
Thanks Jon. Yes, it only struck me afterwards and then when I saw the report on his party, I thought hmm....