So, I've been listening to a podcast presented by two somewhat odd academics. It's called 'Decoding the Guru' and it's about people who have a large following on social media and express their views to an increasingly loyal and an defensive community.
There are left-wing gurus, but on the whole they seem to be more from the right.
And, to be honest, they talk gibberish.
There's a lot of narcissism and a lot of how they are silenced (as they speak to literally MILLIONS online) and misunderstood and victimised. There's a lot of criticism of institutions and the mass media.
They generate a sense that their 'fans' are uniquely wise in choosing to hear what they have to say and that they need to protect themselves from the false messages espoused by the rest of the world.
If I'm honest, it makes me feel physically sick.
It feeds into people wanting to feel special and part of a tribe at the same time. Isn't that what we all want? That WE are the great ones and THEY are against us....
Oh!! It's exactly the message Putin wanted to use for Russia - precious, exceptional Russia, beleaguered by the decadent and evil West. It is not a good way to be. Not good.
It is a PAVING SLAB on the road to tyranny.
Though I don't think any of these kooky gurus will get power. Mind you, Trump... Johnson... Putin... Bolsonaro... Orban...Erdogan.
Winter is coming, as they say in Game of Thrones.
Good grief! All I've done is go down the list of the gurus podcast episodes with the NON-mainstream. Haven't listened to any. May not. May. What an interesting concept though. 😮