It looks interesting; and consistently. I have always wanted to discuss with someone the nature of the so-called social media. Namely, I am convinced that the phrase 'social media' is not complete and does not express something important. Instead of 'social media', we have to talk about 'virtual social media'.
Good point. There should be a different name for it. The “town square” analogy breaks down because face to face social is very different from virtual. I’m still convinced there were more physical fights at real life social events after covid because people forgot talking shit like you are on Twitter doesn’t work in real life without running the risk of getting punched in the face.
Interesting! To paraphrase the Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges on Edinburgh being inundated with posh and Well-to-do theatre kids every year during the fringe festival: ‘they all speak with the easy confidence that comes with never having been punched in the face.’
I wish I could claim credited for paraphrasing, but it was more from seeing actual people getting punched in the face after covid. They never learned the first rule about picking a fight with someone - Never pick a fight with someone who can kick your ass 😂
Infrared formed as a research collective with around ten people in 2016 and began live-streaming in 2020. If you look at their earliest streams they are focused on clarifying theory, arriving back at Marxism Leninism through a synthesis of Heidegger, Lacan, Bataille, and Land (against Lukacs and the Frankfurt left tradition). Drawing on psychoanalysis and hyperstition they analyzed the dynamics you are describing and self-consciously exploited them to farm engagement during 2021 when they moved to Twitch and haz began debating. Those of us who have been watching for a long time are aware of this fact, but also that we gain nothing by counter-signaling, that irony and petty individualism get us nowhere. We have sharp debates within the community, but publicly we maintain one line.
All to say I wouldn’t lump Infrared in with the other talking heads and their bands of sycophants. Our approach to media is the Bolshevik approach but in the 21st century. And western Marxists who psychoanalyzed, ridiculed the Bolshevik party, or who said it was the same as fascism, never achieved anything at all.
Moroeover, all three of the liberals above will ultimately tell you to vote for the Democratic Party every four years. We say CPUSA 2036.
Thanks mate,sounds interesting - he did seem a more unique character than the others, and I think I’m generally sympathetic to ideological belligerence. Could you recommend some videos I could check out for this?
This was such a juicy read. If you want to go down a particularly insane rabbit hole of lesser known Internet Guys, check out President Sunday, Mr. Girl, and Chudlogic - the latter of whom looks almost identical to Vaush. If Destiny is like a duke, I’ve always felt that these three are his deranged and plotting yeomen. (I think they’re even referred to as “Destiny Orbiters”. Just a heads up: some of these YouTubers are pretty heinous. But if you continue writing on this topic - and I hope you do! - it might be an interesting lead.)
It looks interesting; and consistently. I have always wanted to discuss with someone the nature of the so-called social media. Namely, I am convinced that the phrase 'social media' is not complete and does not express something important. Instead of 'social media', we have to talk about 'virtual social media'.
Interesting idea, the 'virtual' is far more important than the 'social' aspect.
Good point. There should be a different name for it. The “town square” analogy breaks down because face to face social is very different from virtual. I’m still convinced there were more physical fights at real life social events after covid because people forgot talking shit like you are on Twitter doesn’t work in real life without running the risk of getting punched in the face.
Interesting! To paraphrase the Scottish comedian Kevin Bridges on Edinburgh being inundated with posh and Well-to-do theatre kids every year during the fringe festival: ‘they all speak with the easy confidence that comes with never having been punched in the face.’
I wish I could claim credited for paraphrasing, but it was more from seeing actual people getting punched in the face after covid. They never learned the first rule about picking a fight with someone - Never pick a fight with someone who can kick your ass 😂
All media is virtual
Infrared formed as a research collective with around ten people in 2016 and began live-streaming in 2020. If you look at their earliest streams they are focused on clarifying theory, arriving back at Marxism Leninism through a synthesis of Heidegger, Lacan, Bataille, and Land (against Lukacs and the Frankfurt left tradition). Drawing on psychoanalysis and hyperstition they analyzed the dynamics you are describing and self-consciously exploited them to farm engagement during 2021 when they moved to Twitch and haz began debating. Those of us who have been watching for a long time are aware of this fact, but also that we gain nothing by counter-signaling, that irony and petty individualism get us nowhere. We have sharp debates within the community, but publicly we maintain one line.
All to say I wouldn’t lump Infrared in with the other talking heads and their bands of sycophants. Our approach to media is the Bolshevik approach but in the 21st century. And western Marxists who psychoanalyzed, ridiculed the Bolshevik party, or who said it was the same as fascism, never achieved anything at all.
Moroeover, all three of the liberals above will ultimately tell you to vote for the Democratic Party every four years. We say CPUSA 2036.
Thanks mate,sounds interesting - he did seem a more unique character than the others, and I think I’m generally sympathetic to ideological belligerence. Could you recommend some videos I could check out for this?
https://youtu.be/jwyqM8VcHR0?si=TevQX9EeQ9bTSmwl
I always recommend this one
This was such a juicy read. If you want to go down a particularly insane rabbit hole of lesser known Internet Guys, check out President Sunday, Mr. Girl, and Chudlogic - the latter of whom looks almost identical to Vaush. If Destiny is like a duke, I’ve always felt that these three are his deranged and plotting yeomen. (I think they’re even referred to as “Destiny Orbiters”. Just a heads up: some of these YouTubers are pretty heinous. But if you continue writing on this topic - and I hope you do! - it might be an interesting lead.)
Alright man, thanks - I’ll look into it! Will write something else if I have some time, suggestions on other topics welcome.