Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The Way Forward

Showing Original Post only (View all)

Hellbound Hellhound

(294 posts)
Mon Feb 10, 2025, 10:05 AM Feb 10

On Messaging moving forward; It's on us, ground-level Dems. Not the politicians. [View all]

Since our loss, I've been analyzing how the various social media platforms have been pushing various content through Youtube, Instagram, TikTok and Twitch. I purposefully keep myself logged out and disconnected from social media doing this, so that the sampling I observe is representative of what the "Average American" stumbles across when they use these services and what sources they're directed to re. focused searches like "Politics" and whatnot. What I've noticed is ... I don't know if it's alarming, but it's obvious to me. The left has few to no positive influencers in Social Media, while the Right and Alt-Right have dozens if not hundreds.

When you consider left-wing social media influencers available on a large scale, the numbers can effectively be counted on one hand, and those that CAN be counted often have significant baggage. Twitch streamer "Destiny" and his horse porn collection, "Hasan" who outright supports Hamas, "Frogan" who has said she wishes American soldiers suffer PTSD. "That Vegan Teacher" who was used as a content farm for hundreds of content creators due to her over-the-top, stereotypical videos. Most streamers have some controversies in their careers, granted, but "sexual deviant", "terrorist" "sociopath" and "psychopath" don't exactly scream "Positive Branding" for the Democrats. That said, the problem is they identify themselves as Democrats and Left Wing. Reactors using them and mocking them get huge viewership, and one of the largest markets on Twitch and Youtube right now is Reaction Videos, so people react to these controversies. Namely right-wing people. And this is provided by a neutral algorithm of what's trending.

You have an entire array of Center and Right content creators whose sole purpose is reacting to emotional and controversial left-wing gaffes even if they're not made by politicians. You have African American creators speaking out against "Black leaders" because it drives clicks, money and reshares. You have women mocking other women crying (literally, not being demeaning) about abortion rights. You have gays and bisexuals that speak out against the "TQIA2S+" part of "LGBT". And of course you have the big namers like Joe Rogan, a former left-winger-turned-right-winger, who has a viewership that dominates even his five closest competitors combined and makes the MSM look insignificant completely. And those are just a few of a great many other streamers I could mention pushing the right wing narrative. A prime example of just how badly we're losing the PR war.



I have no idea how to fix it. I don't even have the slightest idea how you COULD fix it. I'm doing my part, I stream on Twitch and Youtube, but I haven't cracked 25 concurrent viewers. But there's a reason the MSM is folding to right-wing pressure, because that is how people get their news nowadays. It may not be what we like or are used to, but it's how the world is. 15 second sound bytes.

I don't have details or a plan. I don't have the know-how, but I can promise you this. Landline calls, "Canvasing" and flyers won't do it, and Politicians going out every day to say "Well Actually" every time the Pugs open their mouths is the bare minimum the Party can do.

We're part of the Party too. So our part is engaging on the level the average American is speaking at. Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, Twitch, Kick and Rumble for our Canadian friends. BlueSky is great for a circlejerk, like Truth Social, but if you want mass appeal, go to the most-used sources of information. Get the information out there, but make it entertaining. Make it funny! Find the 10-15 second clips and mock the Pugs. They're out there with a massive lead already, and the few soldiers we have on that front line aren't exactly the best shining example of Democrats.


Just a few thoughts after spending about twenty years watching the Republican media machine shift from Fox to social media.

7 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Latest Discussions»The Way Forward»On Messaging moving forwa...