Read on Twitter
I'm about to hop off Twitter to get work done, but first:
I want to briefly bring up something I think is sorely lacking in analyses of the Capitol Siege.
It has to do with narratives of American exceptionalism, fetishized entertainment media, and the cult of individualism.
I want to briefly bring up something I think is sorely lacking in analyses of the Capitol Siege.
It has to do with narratives of American exceptionalism, fetishized entertainment media, and the cult of individualism.
There are mass efforts underway right now to ID the Capitol insurrectionists - enabled by...
... their very own loud, excessively proud confessions.
Live-streamed, uploaded ASAP, faces uncovered, names and locations boldly disclosed.
... their very own loud, excessively proud confessions.
Live-streamed, uploaded ASAP, faces uncovered, names and locations boldly disclosed.
To watch insurrectionist "rEvOlUtIoN" souvenir social media posts is beyond surreal.
But why?
It's because they see themselves as Hollywood heros.
But why?
It's because they see themselves as Hollywood heros.
So fetishized is entertainment media in this country, and so lauded the "American ethos of individualism" that:
These people truly believe they're starring in historical epics, unfolding in real time.
And, it's coupled with an embrace of American (esp. white) exceptionalism.
These people truly believe they're starring in historical epics, unfolding in real time.
And, it's coupled with an embrace of American (esp. white) exceptionalism.
Reminds me of something a friend said before he was viciously executed in Syria:
"I can't die. It's my fucking movie."
(NOT REMOTELY COMPARABLE CIRCUMSTANCES - but that memory got me thinking)
"I can't die. It's my fucking movie."
(NOT REMOTELY COMPARABLE CIRCUMSTANCES - but that memory got me thinking)
The Capitol insurrectionists did not - and do not - expect any consequences, from social opprobrium to criminal penalties to injury to death.
They see themselves as destined for victory, immortal, and unassailable.
They're on the side of "right." It's "their movie."
They see themselves as destined for victory, immortal, and unassailable.
They're on the side of "right." It's "their movie."
We've inculcated American nationalism through binary, Manichaean dualist narratives of good and evil for so, so long...
...while simultaneously lionizing the extremes of "rugged individualism" as a thoroughly all-American ethos.
Mix those strands with social media, and...
...while simultaneously lionizing the extremes of "rugged individualism" as a thoroughly all-American ethos.
Mix those strands with social media, and...
BOOM. Here we are.
The rot goes deep, friends.
But spotting its roots is the first step.
The rot goes deep, friends.
But spotting its roots is the first step.
Those are my tangential ranting thoughts for now, and perhaps I'll make them sensible at some point - but GOODBYE FOR THE MOMENT!
Postscript:
I should probably mention that I've written about this stuff in regards to Non-State Armed Groups like ISIS before.
If you'd like to check it out, here's one article: https://www.academia.edu/37563652/2018_Evil_Islamic_State_Conflict_Capitalism_and_the_Geopolitical_Uncanny_Critical_Studies_on_Security_Special_Issue_Who_s_Afraid_of_ISIS_the_Politics_of_Hegemonic_Fear_6_1_118_135
I should probably mention that I've written about this stuff in regards to Non-State Armed Groups like ISIS before.
If you'd like to check it out, here's one article: https://www.academia.edu/37563652/2018_Evil_Islamic_State_Conflict_Capitalism_and_the_Geopolitical_Uncanny_Critical_Studies_on_Security_Special_Issue_Who_s_Afraid_of_ISIS_the_Politics_of_Hegemonic_Fear_6_1_118_135
Now I'm actually gone for a while. Yalla.
