Keen On America

I suspect both left and right have the Kimmel-Kirk story wrong. Rather than being about free speech versus hate speech, it’s actually the story of the end of the television era and the rise of open internet platforms like YouTube and Substack. So when Keith Teare asks who is for free speech in his latest That Was The Week newsletter, what he’s really saying is that free speech has never been freer. Anyone can say anything they want, he says. The only real question is whether anyone is actually listening. So the Kimmel-Kirk story is really about the shift in broadcast business models and the future of paid content. Getting fired from ABC might be the best thing that ever happened to a generic tv comic like Jimmy Kimmel. What he now needs to figure out is how to monetize his instant global fame. 1. The Cancellation Paradox Getting "canceled" from traditional media might now be a career accelerator rather than a death sentence. Kimmel has instant global recognition - the hardest thing to achieve in the creator economy - and can now build a direct audience relationship without network interference.2. Television is Already Dead (But Nobody Wants to Admit It) When late-night TV audiences are "well under 100,000 people" watching live, we're witnessing the final death throes of broadcast television as a relevant medium. The controversy feels big because it's symbolic, not because TV actually matters anymore.3. The Real Battle is Platform Independence vs. Platform Dependence The fundamental shift isn't about what you can say, but about who controls your ability to monetize what you say. Traditional media creates "intellectual codependency" between talent and publishers - breaking free requires becoming your own platform.4. Attention is the New Scarce Resource As Keith Teare notes, "anyone can say anything they want" - distribution is infinite. The challenge isn't getting a voice; it's getting an audience. Controversy, even negative controversy, solves the attention problem that most creators struggle with for years.5. Both Sides Are Fighting Yesterday's War While left and right argue about speech policing, the real action is in the economic disruption of media business models. YouTube, Substack, and other platforms are quietly becoming the new infrastructure for public discourse - making the entire "who controls traditional media" debate irrelevant.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

David Masciotra, a progressive writer and commentator, critiques Kamala Harris's memoir, revealing his surprising shift from defender to critic. He labels the book a 'literary political travesty,' highlighting its petty tone and poor timing amid urgent political challenges. Masciotra argues that Harris's attacks on key Democrats jeopardize her own political future and undermine party unity. The discussion dives into the implications of her self-involvement and the fallout for potential candidates within the Democratic Party.

Marshall Poe, founder of The New Books Network and a historian, dives into the crisis facing independent podcasters in the age of AI. He highlights how AI scraping threatens creators' livelihoods, likening it to the piracy of the Napster era. Poe argues that this mass appropriation of intellectual property is destroying the podcast economy, loaded with low-quality AI-generated content. He discusses the challenges of discovery and funding, emphasizing the need for transparency and fair compensation for true creators in an increasingly difficult landscape.

Carl Benedikt Frey, an Oxford economist and author of How Progress Ends, dives into the curious paradox of the digital revolution. He argues that despite the wonders of technology, we're not seeing the productivity gains expected. Frey contrasts automation with groundbreaking innovations that drive economic growth. He also discusses the institutional structures that influence technological payoffs, highlighting challenges in Europe and the implications of China’s state capitalism on innovation and progress. It's a thought-provoking exploration of what true economic advancement looks like.

Ingrid Robeyns, a philosopher and economist from the University of Utrecht, tackles the pressing issue of extreme wealth in her discussion. She argues that billionaires often don't 'deserve' their wealth due to the many factors beyond their control, like luck and family background. Robeyns highlights the detrimental effects of wealth concentration on democracy and the environment. She proposes wealth caps around $10 million to encourage fairness while still rewarding success, and discusses the need for democratic debate on such limits.

In this engaging discussion, Elizabeth Buchanan, an international relations scholar and author of *So You Want To Own Greenland*, explores the geopolitical significance of Greenland. She asserts that Trump’s interest in the island is rooted in a greater historical context dating back to the 19th century. Buchanan highlights Denmark's colonial hold over Greenland and the harsh realities faced by its people. She also examines how climate change and resource competition are reshaping global power dynamics, making Greenland a crucial strategic player in the 21st century.

Charlie Wells, a vibrant Bloomberg reporter and author of What Happened to Millennials, dives into the complexities of the millennial experience. He argues that millennials are 31% wealthier than boomers were at the same age, challenging the notion of them being the 'unluckiest generation.' Technology, he asserts, has merely amplified age-old struggles, making them visible but not unique. Through personal narratives, he highlights the loneliness and identity crises shaped by social media, while advocating for authentic connections beyond screens.

Nikolay Kukushkin, an NYU neuroscientist and author of "One Hand Clapping," explores the origin of our large brains, emphasizing their connection to language rather than intelligence. He discusses how our mammalian ancestors spent 150 million years evading dinosaurs, which shaped social behaviors. Kukushkin argues that while our big brains foster social interactions, they also contribute to division and conflict. He highlights humanity's unique awareness of our global impact, celebrating our responsibility in today's complex age.

Judith Resnik, Arthur Liman Professor of Law at Yale, dives into the history of punishment in her latest work. She reveals that the roots of modern punishment stem from Enlightenment thinkers and emphasizes how prisoners themselves articulated their rights. The discussion contrasts American and European systems, particularly post-1980s, highlighting a divergence in human rights commitments. Resnik advocates for humane treatment in prisons and champions the idea that prisoners are rights-bearing individuals, shedding light on a critical democratic issue.

Cynthia Miller-Idriss, founding director of American University’s PERIL, dives into the dark connections between misogyny and political violence. She argues that hostile sexism significantly predicts support for acts like mass shootings and political assassinations. Tracing a disturbing path from self-help to radicalization, she highlights that 60% of mass shooters have domestic violence backgrounds. Miller-Idriss calls for community interventions to combat youth exposure to online violence and stresses the need for constructive dialogues about masculinity.