#rightward shift

Listen: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7kT7Mmj2NKXMtUjCe379ON "# The Right Turn: How Culture Found Its Conservative Voice In a world where self-expression, innovation, and progressive ideals once ruled the cultural landscape, a seismic shift has occurred. Books, movies, music, and fashion—once bastions of liberal thought and avant-garde creativity—have taken a distinct turn to the right. This cultural evolution, or perhaps devolution, reflects a growing desire for stability, nostalgia, and tradition. Let’s dissect this phenomenon and explore how and why art and entertainment now echo the sentiments of a more conservative era. First, let’s talk about literature. Once dominated by bold narratives challenging the status quo, today’s bestselling novels often reflect a more cautious, conservative ethos. Themes of personal responsibility, family values, and a return to simpler times resonate with readers who crave reassurance in a chaotic world. Authors who once pushed boundaries are now aligning their narratives with the sentiments of a population yearning for stability. The rise of self-help books and "how-to" guides underscores this trend, with many flocking to titles that promise not radical change, but rather practical advice and grounded wisdom. In the realm of cinema, the shift is unmistakable. The film industry has seen the resurgence of familiar franchises, appealing to audiences' nostalgia and a hunger for stories that mirror either historical accuracy or a glamorized vision of the past. The spectacle of blockbuster films has been overshadowed by an increasing demand for narratives that emphasize duty, honor, and it-turns-out-some-things-do-matter. Consider the buzz surrounding potential reboots of beloved classics—like "Rush Hour 2"—dreamt up by those who believe that there's comfort in the familiar. Hollywood's pivot signals not just a business decision, but a cultural reckoning with what stories we choose to tell and consume. Meanwhile, the music industry has also shown signs of this ideological pivot. The rise of country music's influence and the proliferation of artists who embrace traditional values represent a renaissance of patriotism wrapped in melody. Lyrics centered around love of country, personal freedom, and community connect with listeners who find solace in narratives of resilience and optimism. Genres once sidelined as overly conservative are now finding new respect, proving that passion for one’s roots still has a place in a diverse musical landscape. Finally, let’s talk about fashion, where what we wear has become a political statement in itself. Trends harking back to vintage styles, high-waisted jeans, and classic silhouettes signal a preference for timeless chic over fleeting fads. Consumers are less interested in the avant-garde provocations of fashion houses and more drawn to brands that convey stability, reliability, and tradition. The push for ethical production and sustainability speaks to a desire to preserve our world—not just to revolutionize it. The cultural landscape is indeed in flux, embodying the complexities of a society wrestling with its identity. As we lean into this right turn, it’s essential to recognize the power of these artistic mediums not only as reflections of our society but as catalysts for discussion about the values we hold dear. The narratives we choose to embrace tell us a lot about who we are and what we aspire to be. As we navigate this evolving cultural terrain, it’s up to us—creators and consumers alike—to shape the story. Will we continue this rightward turn, or will we reclaim the boundary-breaking, audacious paths once paved by those unafraid to challenge the norms? The choice is ours, but one thing is clear: the conversation is just beginning."

Those who remain faithful to the Democrats are living primarily in an increasingly balkanized society. There are, of course, the “Blue” and “Red” states, a stark division of reality between regions. Those who can afford to live in the “Blue” states are paying a premium to escape the control of Republican legislatures, but that cost is getting more and more expensive with every passing day. Same goes for those who live in the cities that are divided from the rural areas, which is another division that anyone can see when they look at an electoral map. Because the Democratic Party has failed to contest races or invest in “Red States” or rural areas, those who are privileged enough to remain in these “Blue” oases have learned to largely ignore the suffering outside of their bubbles. An example of this is the 2022 Dobbs decision that destroyed Roe v. Wade, leaving “Red States” to effectively outlaw abortion. Rather than seeing widespread protest, many in “Blue States” retreated to their own lives and offered gestures of concern and openly urged women in “Red States” to move, which isn’t possible for many. What makes this even worse is that, through social media and many cultural touchpoints, there has arisen a gesture-based economy in which personalities, politicians, and media platforms are able to market to this Middle Class demographic, selling them a narrative that 1. Trump is an aberration 2. Our institutions are fundamentally sound 3. Those institutions, including the Democratic Party, the FBI, the CIA, the legal system, etc., are going to hold Trump accountable and put things right again. This, of course, is an alternate reality that allows the Middle Class to deny that reform is necessary and, by extension, allows them to continue their lives of privilege without having to risk anything to change things. What emerged was a host of people who would post and comment within an oligarchical-controlled corporate space as if that took the place of actual organizing and actual resistance. This failed predictably, leaving many Middle Class members to either tune out or begin accepting Trumpism, MAGA, and the Wealth Class’s authoritarianism as normal or even advantageous. To this extent, the Middle Class is now divided between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, which was the logical conclusion of all of this and the continued schism in Middle Class thought. History shows that, over time, more of them will move to the Right and even embrace authoritarianism if there is not an effort to somehow stress interdependence between themselves and the Working Class throughout the country. This is made harder, though, as there is an antipathy for the Working Class, who are often viewed by the Middle Class as brutish, disgusting, and stupid. This is something that will hamper any effective organizing if it isn’t addressed and make the situation worse. There has to be coordination and understanding here if something is to happen.

The guilty bystanders.

There are a number of things like that. But, I just had to think about it again in this context.

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Fricking amazing.

Noam Chomsky is Professor Emeritus at MIT, and one of the nation's leading intellectual critics of the US political, corporate and national security apparatus. In this long interview, Cenk Uygur of TYT and Professor Chomsky discuss President Obama, the rightward shift of US politics over the past few decades, drone strikes, the labor movement, Aaron Swartz, the role of the media and what hope we have for the future.

That the language of Lincoln and John Paul is so distant from our experience today is a sign of an enormous cultural shift. In scores of different ways, we paint investors as the heroes and workers as the sideshow. We tax the fruits of labor more vigorously than we tax the gains from capital — resistance to continuing the payroll tax cut is a case in point — and we hide workers away while lavishing attention on those who make their livings by moving money around. [read more]