This American Life 877: The Making Of
Dec 21, 2025
Zoe Chase and Suzanne Gabber, innovative producers and reporters, dive into the vivid clashes in Portland. They capture right-wing streamers who treat protests like a reality show, generating drama for clicks. The narrative of a full-blown war is revealed to focus on a single block, where perceptions clash with reality. Encountering Chandler, a self-identified Antifa member, they challenge the fabricated 'leader' label and its consequences. This exploration uncovers the intricate dynamics of media, social tension, and identity in modern activism.
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How A Single Block Became A National Story
- Right-wing streamers shaped a national narrative that turned a single-block protest into a perceived urban war zone.
- That manufactured image helped justify federal crackdowns and elevated Antifa into a top security target.
Arrival On The Block Felt Like A Reality Show
- Zoe Chase describes arriving on a rainy Saturday night to find a crowded block full of streamers and rival groups performing for cameras.
- The scene felt less like a riot and more like a live reality show with phones on selfie sticks everywhere.
Chat Controls The Street
- Streamers operate with invisible online audiences directing them in real time, turning viewers into remote collaborators.
- That chat-driven feedback loop amplifies conflict and shapes on-the-ground behavior at protests.