This article dives into the complex issue of the power of social media and its potential for abuse. It highlights how the “going viral” phenomenon has been used in the past to distract from real dangers, and how powerful people have used it to shape conversations and influence outcomes. To prevent this from happening in the future, we must embrace a “post-viral” world, one where we take more care to manage the power of social media without sacrificing its potential to share truth and power. Read full article here
Culture
The Priest in the Arena
The phrase “man in the arena” has been popularized in recent years, but a lesser known, more dangerous archetype is the “priest in the arena”. This figure is responsible for a process called theocratic capture, where an institution surrenders to a cult demanding unaccountable authority, fueled by claims to privileged knowledge. These cults often target powerful institutions and attempt to monopolize conversations with scaremongering tactics and hostile treatment of allies. It is important to identify and stop theocratic capture before it can gain control. Read full article here
Merv
May 29, 2023
