Listen now (79 mins) | Navigating the Online Information Overload: A Conversation on Media Consumption Introduction In a world inundated with information and news, individuals find themselves grappling with the challenge of distinguishing between personal pursuits and the responsibility to stay informed. This dilemma is particularly amplified in the age of social media, where n…
It's no surprise to anyone paying attention to the social landscape that it became trendy to be an activist. Artists in particular are taking a liking to navigating these murky waters, given how lucrative they may be.
Phoebe Bridgers, on the surface at least, is the perfect activist. Her fandom is largely self described as Gay or LGBT. She’s a high profile figure who speaks about issues pertaining to womanhood and the abuse women face. And she admires notable figures known for outspoken they were about social affairs. The fans however, seems dissatisfied.
While 2020 was the year of the black plight against police brutally, 2023 is now the year of the Palestinian resistance against genocide. What does it look to be an activist and speak out (or not) according to the public court of opinion.
Palestine: The Genocide Broadcasted Live For The World To Witness
Meet Plestia & Motaz. 24 years old and 21 years old respectively.
Over 25 millions of followers across platforms rescpectively.
I used to always wear my press vest and helmet.. but lately I stopped wearing them.. I don’t feel safe in Gaza no matter what, even while sleeping I don’t feel safe, but especially when wearing then press vest and helmet I don’t feel safe.. I hope this nightmare ends soon, I hope we don’t lose anymore journalists
We live in the attention economy, it’s no secret. Artists in particular prize this resource almost more than money. Judging by how many are willing to do labor “for exposure”.
Circling back to Phoebe Bridgers, and why her Activism is questioned by fans and onlookers alike… As previously established, to young journalists from Gaza, are reaching well over 25 million people alone. Phoebe, at least in terms of sheer fanbase number barely makes a dent in comparison. Especially considering the fact that Billie Eillish, another outspoken artist in regards of social affairs has 4 times as much the reach in terms of her social media.
One must wonder, why is it these artists with such large platforms are often times afraid to use it? Well for starters, as the “Me Too” era illustrated, speaking up isn’t exactly the popular thing to do. Matter of fact, the entertainment industry will hang your career on a whim if you dare stray from the script.
2020 showed though that even such formalities can fly out the window when push comes to shove. It seemed that during George Flyod’s death, everyone became something of an activist themselves.
Being performative is now directly tied to social currency… For better or worse. And the vultures aren’t shy about profiting from jumping on the bandwagon.
To see a person who has been consistently vocal about injustice suddenly be silent about Palestine, and then post a tribute to Sinéad. Don’t you see a disconnect here? From one girl with a dead dad to another, is our heartbreak and grief not enough for you to know what the magnitude of Palestinian grief must feel like? May our grief make us more tender, more true, stand taller for those who suffer. Sinéad was brave and loud in the face of unspeakable evil. The truest tribute to her is carrying on that tradition. ❤️🇵🇸
Without diving too deep into the waters of intersectionality, especially as a platform whose mission statement is to emphasize “The Intersection Of Arts, Culture & Tech” it’s important to recognize that the daily struggles of 7 billion people is one swipe away.
Pioneers such as Steve Jobs, Aaron Schwartz, Bill Gates & Jeff Bezos to name a few made the interconnectivity we take for granted today possible. It therefore comes with a big responsibility. Artists to a degree are an extension of this concept.
Artist Redveil, with a quarter of a million of followers on instagram compared to Phoebe Bridgers with her 2 million reveals why Activism not only matters but also how to effectively champion it. So this is a direct response to Phoebe Lucille Bridgers (born August 17, 1994) the American singer-songwriter. Specifically calling attention to your age here too because you grew up before social media became the new normal. You are old and mature enough to grasp why that matters.
You make fantastic music, arguably some of the best music to have come out of the 2010s onward. You won all the awards, have all the gals and pals who are climbing their way up looking up to you. Don’t make your relationship with your fans & activism extractive.
See, like it or not, it’s real easy to not speak on things you deem to be none of your concern… Matter of fact, it’s just as easy to cherry pick the aspect of an issue that caters the most to you and ignore the rest. That’s exactly what intersectionality addresses. Ask yourself, why is a black young man with less clout than you, less fans, less of a platform and more to lose in terms of industry opportunities is willing to speak out while others aren’t…
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