Martin Gurri, a CIA analyst and author of "The Revolt of the Public," discusses the seismic shifts in society driven by the internet. He predicts the rise of movements like Trump, Brexit, and BLM as indicators of this transformation. Gurri highlights how online activism exposes disillusionment with traditional politics and reshapes community engagement. He critiques the media's credibility, emphasizing the blurred lines of power and the urgent demand for change, while reflecting on the importance of real-life connections in a shifting digital landscape.
The internet has revolutionized society, disrupting traditional systems and introducing new ways of connecting and engaging.
The online environment's rhetoric, including memes and trolling, has seeped into offline settings, shaping the way news is shared and consumed.
Traditional news media has faced a decline in trust and credibility, challenged by alternative sources of information and internal tensions with younger journalists.
Deep dives
The Internet's Impact on Industries, Politics, and Lives
The internet has transformed industries, politics, and lives, introducing significant changes and opportunities. It has disrupted traditional systems and introduced new ways of connecting and engaging. From meeting partners and starting families through social media to accessing vast amounts of information on mobile devices, the internet has revolutionized the way we live. The ongoing shift caused by the internet is unlike any other change in history, impacting every aspect of society and leaving a lasting story for future generations.
The Dark Side of Digital Connection
While the early web architects envisioned the internet as a tool to connect and spread empathy and understanding, the reality is that digital connection has often led to a drained sense of texture and meaning from physical lives. Traditional institutions like churches and synagogues have declined, and political participation has become more focused on social media activism. The collapse of local news and the dominance of trending topics on Twitter have also shaped the national news landscape. The online environment's rhetoric, including memes and trolling, has seeped into various offline settings, allowing people to become their most extreme versions online. This has resulted in a culture where outrage thrives, shaping the way news is shared and consumed.
The Rise of Online Tribes and Repudiation Culture
The internet has created infinite niche communities that empower individuals to express their most distilled and hardened versions of themselves. These online communities thrive on repudiation and opposition, allowing individuals to unify by being against something rather than promoting a positive program. Whether it's the Yellow Vests in France, the Tea Party movement in the United States, or the Black Lives Matter protests, these groups often lack cohesive ideologies and leadership. They are bound together by their rejection of established systems, expressing discontent with the elites and institutions they perceive as corrupt and failing them. In the absence of coherent programs, these groups find meaning in opposing perceived injustices and participating in acts of collective repudiation.
The Erosion of Trust in Traditional Media
Traditional news media, such as newspapers and TV networks, have faced a decline in trust and credibility. The rise of online platforms and alternative sources of information has challenged the role and authority of traditional media institutions. News outlets, like The New York Times, have been accused of bias and succumbing to Twitter trends, compromising their journalistic principles. The erosion of trust in traditional media can be attributed to both external pressures, such as social media engagement, and internal tensions with younger journalists who challenge the institutional legacy. This loss of trust in traditional media has created an information landscape where truth and falsehood become volatile and subjective, contributing to the fractured state of news consumption.
The Future of Democracy in the Digital Age
While there are concerns about the current state of democracy, the future remains uncertain. The internet's transformative power offers the potential for more democratic institutions and social relations. The shift towards a more democratic society will require the reconfiguration of institutions and individuals' choices to support more productive and equitable systems. However, this path is not guaranteed, and short-term challenges and divisions must be overcome. The goal is to navigate the turbulent waters of the digital age, prioritize individual choices that foster democratic values, and restore authority and trust in institutions for a more sustainable democratic future.
Why does every institution feel so broken? Why would newspapers sacrifice their credibility to suppress something like the lab leak theory? Why does it feel like small differences of opinion so quickly turn into hate? Martin Gurri saw it all coming. The CIA analyst predicted Trump, Brexit, WallStreetBets, BLM, the Yellow vests, and believes all of these movements are connected by a single force: THE INTERNET. The printing press transformed humanity in the 1400s, but Gurri argues that we are now living through a more radical transformation. One that is just beginning. Gurri's prescient book is recommended by our host more than any other. If you haven't read it, don't wait.
