Decoder with Nilay Patel Recode Decode: "Antisocial" author Andrew Marantz
Oct 9, 2019
Andrew Marantz, a staff writer at The New Yorker and author of *Antisocial*, dives into the perilous relationship between social media and extremism. He discusses how platforms prioritize emotional engagement, amplifying figures like Milo Yiannopoulos and the alt-right's rise. Marantz critiques the Silicon Valley culture of 'big swinging brains' and explains why merely banning controversial users lacks depth. He further explores the media’s role in shaping political narratives and the societal fragmentation caused by manipulation and misinformation.
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Breitbart's Prediction
- Andrew Breitbart predicted Trump's presidency, emphasizing celebrity over policy.
- Breitbart saw Trump's media manipulation skills as key to his potential success.
Online Tools and the Right Wing
- Online tools are cheap and effective for disseminating information quickly.
- The right wing effectively utilized these tools due to limited access to mainstream media.
Bannon's Gamer Recruitment
- Steve Bannon recognized the potential of disaffected young people online, particularly gamers.
- Bannon and Milo Yiannopoulos aimed to recruit these individuals to the alt-right movement.
