There is a type of casual leftist who embraces a condescending, evangelical style that I once thought belonged solely to the right wing, and that always bothered me just as much as Republican policy agenda itself. The liberal version of this style is exemplified by the rabblerousing progressive website Upworthy, which is always preaching, outraged, to the choir: “Watch this writer ask one question about equality that will blow your mind,” “Share if you believe in justice,” “Think teachers are overpaid? Read this chart.” Its readers constitute an audience that moves from one outrage to another—the rude treatment of Sandra
Is there anyone left who still believes it’s possible to overthrow capitalism? Any presidential candidate, whether Democrat or Republican, will eagerly explain how it’s the most efficient system for satisfying human desire the world has ever known. Around the world, Communism is dead and Europe is creeping rightward. Outside of politics, artists have spent the past few decades becoming ever-better versed in markets and marketing, seeking to cash in on their role as the vanguard of the Warhol economy.
A friend of mine recently came to me with the breathless news that he had just slept with a famous porn star. The performer had contacted him out of the blue on an online hook-up site. (My friend was supposed to be spending his day looking for jobs. Frailty, thy name is Manhunt.net). Excited and a little jealous, I asked the obvious question.