How many times are you going to think the football is kickable, Charlie Brown? For those unaware, Elon Musk has begun following the same protocol of shadow bans, debanking and outright removal that he allegedly used to rail against. It's almost as if the ones shouting how they can be trusted with the ring of power, behave the same way everyone before them did- even in a MAGA hat. The answer is and has always been to build & grow your own platforms. Even if Elon was once the hero people believed he was, (jury still out & not looking good) it's infantile to think he would then never take a ticket. In Elon's case, cashing in said ticket- where he uses his ability to manipulate the platform he bought, for his own goals. Here's the next level though, there's nothing wrong with that. It's actually on you for falling for it. The only hope, however waning, is for Charlie Brown to play football elsewhere. -Codd
Hopefully TikTok survives the beyond the next two weeks, if nothing else- it's one of the last, somewhat meritocratic art space for short-form comedy. Once Vine, then old YouTube and now TikTok. One style I enjoyed watching, (which to my knowledge wasn't given a name) was what I'm coining "Template Comedy." TikTok is notorious for taking part in trends where it's very monkey-see-monkey-do. However, on occasion, you will come across someone taking part in said trend, but only in it's templated-form. That is to say, they don't do their own unique take or artistic signature, but rather speak as if they were an empty madlibs with directions. Honorable mentions for other genres/styles include 'Meta' and '4th Wall Breaking' comedy. This will also occur in trending virtual skits, but is certainly not limited to them. Well into taking part in a trend, while also alluding to the fact the creator is purposefully trying to take part in the trend...
Predictions for 2025. History doesn't repeat but it certainly rhymes. On one hand it would appear we're in a time when A.I. & targeted analytics will take our engagement to feed us back our own desires in the "news"- and on the other hand there still appears to be an element of stimulation testing where what is put on the "news" is to shape a narrative to move mass consciousness. Maybe it's both. A manipulative two step. Either way, what matters most is where you put your thoughts & actions. I initially expect 2025 in the political realm, to rhyme with, and look earily similar to, events in 2017. That being said, the push for a "golden age" vibe does open the door for some great possibilities. Very much looking forward to engaging with & paralleling the world's fair plans for America's 250th. -Codd