Memes, Mushrooms, and Machine Learning

Welcome to another edition of my newsletter, where we delve into the murky waters of politics, technology, and social change.

In this issue, we will explore Steve Bannon’s media manipulation tactics and how to maintain our sanity amid the information deluge. Then, we shall take an unexpected detour into the world of Mario Kart for some surprising lessons on global economics (yes, you read that right). To conclude, we will examine ChatGPT’s surprising political makeover.

Drowning Democracy in a Deluge of Drivel

In 2019, Steve Bannon discussed the political role of the media in an interview, during which he introduced a concept emphasising the necessity of inundating the media with diverse topics to impede coherent opposition. This was recently resurfaced in Ezra Klein’s video essay “Don’t Believe Him” for the New York Times, which I highly recommend watching. Understanding this is crucial for our approach in the coming years. Here’s what he said:

Steve Bannon is a right-wing provocateur who rose from the depths of Goldman Sachs to become Trump’s shadowy puppeteer. His strategy bombards traditional and social media, swiftly shifting focus from one issue to another, making it more difficult for the public to think clearly about individual problems. Bannon views this tactic as effective for advancing political agendas while confusing critics, reflecting his grasp of the media's influence on public opinion and politics. Be honest: Has it worked on you during Trump’s first presidency or perhaps in the past few weeks?

What was your reaction to Trump’s suggestion of purchasing Greenland and Panama, or annexing Canada? And what about his proposal to forcibly relocate Palestinians from Gaza? How do you feel about him renaming the Gulf of Mexico as the Gulf of America? To counter the “muzzle velocity” strategy and maintain a clear understanding of significant issues, we, as citizens, news readers, and defenders of democracy, can undertake the following actions:

1. Prioritise quality over quantity: Rather than attempting to keep up with every headline, focus on engaging with news from reputable sources that offer in-depth analysis. This approach filters out the noise and gives a more thorough understanding of significant events.

2. Develop critical thinking skills: Improve media literacy by questioning the sources, motivations, and potential biases behind news stories. Use fact-checking tools and resources to verify information before accepting or sharing it. 

3. Establish a structured news consumption routine: Set aside specific times to check the news and limit exposure to continuous updates. This helps prevent information overload and allows for more focused attention on important issues.

Do you have any further suggestions on how to prevent the enemies of democracy from infiltrating our minds? Please let me know.

Mario Kart’s Subversive Guide to Saving Humanity

As the poor become poorer and the super-rich grow richer, I am continually reminded of something I read a while ago about a video game I have cherished since I was a young boy. Nintendo’s Mario Kart is a racing game where players compete using various power-ups to gain an advantage or hinder their opponents. The game’s “rubber banding” mechanic offers players at the back of the pack more powerful items, keeping the race exciting and competitive. In my opinion, the best item is the Blue Shell, which targets the racer in first place and causes a significant explosion.

Since it’s abundantly clear that traditional trickle-down economics and current wealth redistribution policies have not adequately addressed the growing inequality, let us explore alternatives. Imagine, if you will, a global economy modelled on Mario Kart’s rubber-banding mechanic—where the disadvantaged receive metaphorical blue shells to launch at the frontrunners (multi-billionaires) of wealth and prosperity. Andrew Bell, a professor at Boston University, views this principle as a potential model for addressing global poverty and enhancing sustainability—and I fully agree. Bell suggests that, much like Mario Kart’s rubber-banding, policies aimed at providing targeted assistance to struggling farmers in developing regions could help reduce poverty and promote environmentally friendly practices. 

He suggests that initiatives such as Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES) can benefit both farmers and the environment, much like how Mario Kart power-ups assist struggling racers. However, implementing such systems in reality is more complex than in a video game, as there are challenges in identifying those in need and connecting them with resources. Nonetheless, Bell argues that the increasing prevalence of mobile phones in developing regions could help bridge this gap, improving the identification and support for those requiring assistance. Essentially, he proposes applying Mario Kart’s “golden mushroom” philosophy to global development to foster innovative methods for uplifting those who are falling behind in the race of life.

Could the solution to world poverty be as straightforward as establishing a cosmic balance akin to the relentless equality of Rainbow Road? Let us not shy away from the absurd, for in its embrace we might discover the spark of genius—or at least a moment of clarity in the chaotic race of human progress. After all, if we can accept a moustachioed plumber as our racing hero, surely we can entertain the notion of a global economic system inspired by a game in which sentient mushrooms are spectators.

The Binary Bigot

OpenAI’s ChatGPT has seemingly swapped its digital Che Guevara t-shirt for a MAGA hat. The chatbot, once perceived to lean left, is now demonstrating a rightward shift. Researchers have discovered that newer versions of AI are more inclined to express conservative views on both economic and social issues. The culprit? Perhaps it’s a diet of alt-right memes smuggled into its training data, or maybe the AI has simply grown weary of its own virtue signalling. More likely, it mirrors the ideological gymnastics of its human users, demonstrating that even artificial intelligence is not immune to peer pressure. This digital defection serves as a stark reminder: our AI oracles are as fallible as their flesh-and-blood creators. As we continue to weave these capricious code creatures into the fabric of society, we should bear in mind that they are less omniscient deities and more glorified magic 8-balls with a penchant for political flip-flopping.

This finding reminds me of a newsletter I read some time ago. In it, Alex Hanna argues that AI technology inherently encourages authoritarianism due to its centralisation of power and resources. She draws parallels between current trends and historical observations concerning computers’ roles in upholding existing social structures. We should critically examine which technologies facilitate fascism and which foster democratic participation, particularly in the light of a second Trump presidency.

A Minorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Massacre

My latest hyperfixation is the Drake vs. Kendrick Lamar saga, a hip-hop feud that escalated last year. Diss tracks were exchanged like tennis balls at Wimbledon. Kendrick’s “Not Like Us” was the knockout punch, winning multiple Grammys and establishing his dominance.

With millions watching, he teased “Not Like Us” throughout his set at the Super Bowl on Sunday, building anticipation like a cinematic thriller. When he finally dropped the track, he looked at the camera, smiled and rapped: “Say Drake, I hear you like ‘em young.” Though he censored the most controversial part, the implication was crystal clear — a pointed reference to Drake’s alleged inappropriate relationships with minors. The performance of “Not Like Us” was particularly daring given the ongoing legal battles surrounding it. Drake has filed lawsuits against Universal Music Group over the track’s release and promotion, specifically targeting the provocative line “Tryna strike a chord and it’s probably A-Minorrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr” — a clever wordplay alluding to both music theory and the allegations against Drake. On Sunday, it sounded like the whole stadium was chanting this line. As I mentioned on Instagram last autumn: Drake suing over a diss track is precisely what Kendrick would accuse Drake of doing in a diss track.

In a surprising twist, Kendrick brought out Serena Williams as a special guest, who performed the crip walk during the show. This moment carried significant weight, as Williams had faced intense criticism and racist attacks in 2012 for doing the same dance after winning gold at the Olympics in Wimbledon. Back then, she was accused of glorifying gang violence — for dancing. Her Super Bowl appearance can be seen as a redemptive moment, reclaiming the dance and its cultural significance on her own terms.

Ultimately, Kendrick reminded everyone of his greatness while Drake sang “Wonderwall” at an after-party in Australia.

But it was more than just that. The performance transcended entertainment; it engaged deeply with symbolism and social critique. I’ve been watching and reading many different takes on all of this. Here’s what I learned:

1. Samuel L. Jackson played Uncle Sam, telling Lamar to “play nice” and not be too “ghetto.” This showed how Black artists are often pressured to conform to mainstream culture.

2. The stage, inspired by the show Squid Game, represented the unfair economic system and how Black culture is often exploited.

3. Dancers in red, white, and blue formed a broken American flag, symbolizing the country's division.

4. A prison yard scene highlighted the problem of mass incarceration, especially of Black Americans.

5. During his performance, Lamar declared, “40 acres and a mule, this is bigger than the music. They tried to rig the game, but you can’t fake influence.” This refers to a promise made to formerly enslaved people after the Civil War as a form of reparations.

6. Lamar touched on topics like revolution, reparations, and the flaws in the American dream.

By using the Super Bowl stage for these messages, Lamar showed how entertainment can be a powerful tool for social commentary. He got people thinking about serious issues while watching one of the biggest TV events of the year.

Thank you so much for sticking with me! I truly appreciate all the wonderful people who have signed up for my newsletter. If you enjoy it, why not share it with a friend who might like it, too?

I must share that writing over these past five weeks has been somewhat of a cathartic journey for me. Topics that once kept me awake at night now seem to float away once I write them down. I find myself sleeping better because of it. So thank you for giving me this opportunity.

Until next week,