In 2017, Angela Nagel published a book called Kill All Normies which helped explain the rise of the alt-right. She focused on two main forums because she felt that they were possibly the most influential and represented very politically different groups. The first of these two forums was Tumblr. I was fascinated by Tumblr culture. And for those who don't know, Tumblr is a micro-blocking website and is very popular with young women - one of the key places where Rowling started to notice these changes online.
The early days of the internet collide with the feverish fandom of “Harry Potter,” and a sprawling, global community emerges. But the hopefulness of this new technology brings with it the darker impulses of human nature.
Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe.
This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.