Debate Fallout and the Hypernormalization of Politics - 7/1/24 -

[@LeninMcDonalds]

Maybe a shitty week but here are some gems from the stream to check out. To watch : Adam Curtis documentary hypernormalization (2016). To read : Slow down by Kohei Saito. Any more recommendations @wisecrack?

[@WisecrackEDU]

Thanks for posting these. And would love to hear folks share their picks!

[@LeninMcDonalds]

“Capital is an abstract parasite, an insatiable vampire and zombie maker; but the living flesh it converts into dead labor is ours, and the zombies it makes are us.” ― Mark Fisher, Capitalist Realism

[@Lazarus_G]

Had meetings this morning, but I wanted to say that I get it about the ads and I don't hold it against you. This is the world we live in and most of us don't like how this shit goes.

[@WisecrackEDU]

Thanks I really appreciate that.

[@Gutock]

For real for real.

[@martian14]

Be a part of the solution or be a part of the problem

[@ThisFinalHandle]

I saw two confused old men arguing passionately about what they care about the most. Golf.

[@DC-wk7yo]

Do you want us to start a petition saying we won't watch if you do more better help ads, so you can show your bosses?

[@SageWon-1aussie]

21k? Damn. Tell them to ask for more. It sucks that comments about how bad betterhelp is counts towards engagement.

[@joshuafornelli8673]

You were so down at the beginning. Maybe you should try Better Help. ;)

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

The rot at the heart of a dying empire, rises up, sprouts... and runs for office. And this has been happening for decades.

[@raymontyoungblood4453]

I've always liked Michael, but after this stream, I like him even more. He's such a cool and honest guy!! He definitely makes Wisecrack a great channel!!!

[@WisecrackEDU]

Damn you're making my day with the kind words! thanks a ton.

[@LateSleeper]

Considering the US Supreme Court just declared that Trump has presidential immunity: yes, your country is screwed.

[@shaynaroberts6849]

I watched the Presidents breaking the law video, Michael 😭

[@sassy_sasarai4090]

1:00:59 Donald Trump's hair was so aerodynamic back then. Dude is styled like a concept car.

[@abider5108]

It looks almost exactly like the Buffalo Sabres slug logo from 2006.

[@Sidharthavicious]

Biden may be a terrible person but he has really nice hair.

[@ericlindquist3271]

Renewed my support when I heard Pod Save America is considered “radical” now… “America: we just work here”.

[@user50]

hey guys, everything is bad, have a shitty week

[@Motta2194]

I’m sure that Hank Green might help out with buying it.

[@WisecrackEDU]

I would suck up to Hank for that $$$

[@Ford_prefect_42]

Oh man!!! That would be amazing! He does the science stuff, Michael does the philosophy stuff.... That would be so good

[@namenamenamename7224]

The failure of Occupy Wall Street to accomplish meaningful reform had MASSIVE impacts on peoples' attitudes. Arguably that and gamergate changed the internet from being optimistic to being pessimistic, which set the stage for Trump's rhetoric and 2016 campaign.

[@jonathanhibberd9983]

Occupy needed a figure to coalesce the movement. Bernie Sanders arguably could have done that, but was too little too late. If he'd shown up on the scene at the height of Occupy, and hitched his wagon to it, he could have been president today. Assuming he was given a fair fight.

[@Sidharthavicious]

The media demonizing and misrepresenting Occupy did not help either. Even The Daily Show mocked them.

[@duncan.o-vic]

The reason Occupy failed is the same as the reason why Trump won. The root cause is decades of anti-socialist propaganda making space for the far right. People ended up knowing what they don't want, but not knowing what they want.

[@Gutock]

@@Sidharthavicious Too right. The way it was portrayed versus the reality on the ground and the ideals it represented... still hurts a little to think about it.

[@juicyparsons]

​@jonathanhibberd9983 yeah but I also learned about the benefits of anti-,Authoritarianism and anarchism thru Occupy. There are a zillion good reasons why Occupy didn't rally behind a singular candidate or mouthpiece

[@SuperNamepen]

Thanks. Appreciate you guys’ work.

[@shreklifeforever]

You can't deny the man is funny af. I wouldn't vote for him but politics are more interesting when every headline is one of his ridiculous quotes

[@ThisFinalHandle]

Wisecrack is my therapy. BH dollars aren't my line in sand. Not sure what would be to honest? maybe Michael chugging A1 and then wearing a green probiotics moustache for rest of episode.

[@ChandlerSavage]

I so appreciate that you understand your audience and we are here for your honesty and perspective about the issues in the world. I so appreciate it. It takes courage to be honest in the world today when our livelihoods are dependent on the capitalist system we live in. Thanks for being positive role models for the rest of us to speak our truth even when there could be negative consequences in the short term.

[@Qwarm]

Watching the debate the question I left with is "Who's in charge?"

[@jonathanhibberd9983]

Follow the money.

[@baron7755]

Charles

[@ddzwiedziu]

I was disappointed about advertising Better (Genocide) Help, but I'm unable to not empathise with the struggle. And even voicing that disappointment I would like to voice support with the struggle. Edit: changed the number of likes to 997, old number for p*lice in Poland. Sorry ^_^'

[@NicBOIIIIII]

I'm so sorry dawg. :/ imma sign up for your $1 patreon. Ain't much but I hope you can move away from those ads.. I just wanted to say I've been following the channel since earthling cinema and it means so much more to me than can be easily communicated. Love y'all take care.

[@EricArgyris]

In Sweden it's a clear trend that when the traditional modes of politics has failed people focuses more on self, the home and the family.

[@EricArgyris]

@@BGWee Here is a (potentially) to lengthy response. So that we both understand what I am talking about. With "politics" I mean getting involved with a political party, taking part in organizing protests and marches, handing out information, organizing meetings, organizing lectures and study groups, trying to win people face to face, taking part in a party's election campaigns (which are very different if you live outside of the US), writing letters to your local and national news papers, involving themselves in their union, going to the union meetings, discussing how to advance our cause and generally taking part in collective actions. Not arguing primarily with people on-line and harassing individuals on Twitter, changing you avatar pictures and limiting themselves to social media discussion groups. Why not try to do a little of both? If you care about community, faith and family - how can it not become political? We have to discuss integration, equality of sexes, the economy, separation of church and state, corruption and abuses of power in faith communities (to name just a few things that impacts the three areas you mention). Further: When the proverbial steel mill shuts down - the community, the church on and the extended family is all threatened. People got to have jobs otherwise substance abuse, unemployment, crime and people having to move will tear at all the familial and community bonds and ties. Doing something about that situation is politics and depending on if you are a liberal, conservative, socialist, theocrat, anarchist or something else there will be different ideas on how to deal with it. Saving, preserving or reforming the family, congregation and community will take action and you probably don't want to leave it in the hands of others completely.

[@sw0rdf1sh2326]

@@BGWeeAre you commenting on the Swedish case or the American case? If Bowling Alone is anything to go by, a retreat to the private has gone alongside the trend of partisanship that you mention in the US. That and a nationalization of those same partisan issues at the expense of local framings of issues.

[@franjkav]

@@BGWee”letting” is a bit misleading. it’s a result of increasingly polarized media. and for whatever reasons a lot of conservative types have literally adopted the persona of an immature rebellious teenager. It’s really hard to get along with people whose reasoning is nothing more than “I don’t wanna - you can’t make me”

[@trevorhannan5113]

I believe that the idea of Hypernormalization can be summed up with the phrase "Clown World" even if most people I see use that term are not people I nominally agree with.

[@OLD.GREASE]

I am digging Michael's facial hair this stream; grown out 'stache and buzzed everything else really scream cool professor to me. I feel like that Michael would let me hand assignments in just as late as my high school professor.

[@bradfordrogers126]

Wisecrack should 1000% look to the Dropout model. Interpret that how you will.

[@joshuahabram1628]

Trump rambles and repeats himself without saying anything with substance. I don't see how that's any better than a president that zones out and stumbles. We're going to be stagnant for the next 4 years no matter who wins

[@pif5023]

The presidential debate felt like modern Italian politics to me, two children bickering and people getting excited for every little dumb insult. Of course nothing substantial is said. It’s Berlusconi all over again.

[@christopherscholl639]

I hear Sam Reich got a good deal on Dropout. You should bust out that rolodex of network contacts and give him a call.

[@deadhead4077]

Dont add on all the years he add mainstream culutre attention in the 2000s for the apprentice or even earlier. God trump is the worst and i hate how much is name comes up period theoughout time not just the last 12 years

[@wtheckJackie]

I ordered coffeeeeeee, luv u guys

[@WisecrackEDU]

Let us know what you think when you try it!

[@Obiwancolenobi]

Lost my job last Thursday. Out of nowhere "performance issue". (Owner has a history of being remorseless - local baristas even warned new employees...) Brightside is that I can now view these live again. ironically the last time I could do that was when I was last unemployed.

[@jonathankittrell170]

Michael, if you owned the channel, you might feel more pressure to run better help ads. Maybe better not to.

[@jakestrait6296]

12:15 "The world loves to be deceived"

[@TeacheReady]

Dude we're here for you, start your own channel

[@Dscarberry]

Can someone help me finish the present age, it was super annoying for me. Should I start someplace else with Kierkegaard?

[@WisecrackEDU]

Ah sorry to hear - what was annoying about it? and how much time to do you have? He has lots of books but some are pretty long. Repetition is also a decent entry point.

[@its_just_matt]

#PissGangGang

[@kowboy702]

Biden’s Golf handicap is a six. Trump’s is shaped like a mushroom

[@Ford_prefect_42]

Noooo no more better help ads. I'm so sorry Michael. On the plus side, you can frame it like "we never said this was the last one, you're crazy! Now that you've been gas lighted, try therapy!" 🤣 I wish you guys could get a better sponsor that paid more. That really isn't much! I would have thought it was a lot more

[@lookdoug1516]

Dr Jill won’t let it go

[@davidhochstetler4068]

It’s honestly sad to watch her say to Joe that “you did great, you answered all the questions!” And he just stares at her blankly

[@TheZslewis]

Let’s go!

[@octane7472]

I'm a zommer on a Monday wondering what to think of the world of politics. As a zoomer on a Monday wondering what I should do. I want guidance but I do not want to misguided due to inadequacy of my own naïveté and brain rotted intellect; as a zommer, on a monday afternoon. Anyways as a zoomer. I wish you guys and wisecrack a good day/night/afternoon. 🙂

[@NarfleTheGarthok]

Trump also said the worst things about America. He said we are a "third world country" and "going to Hell," and "in Hell," and "America is weak, and crumbling," and "pathetic" and "not even a country," and "a laughing stock," and man... just a lot coming from such a patriot.

[@scottduncan92]

Start your own channel. Wisecrack is almost nothing without you. People would follow you.

[@sscoutistaken]

Shoutout to anyone refusing to spread BetterHelp's ads, the company that had to pay $8.7 million for sharing consumer data without permission, who have fake therapists, some good very overworked therapists, and even weirder "therapists".

[@duncan.o-vic]

I understand your concern as an American, but as someone who has actually lived under many different/radical regimes, you'll be fine. The Europe too. The difference between far right and centrists is very small, and these loud far right polititians usually get soft before they come to the power, because the power is all they want. They all work for the same class. Letting them win might even help form some real left wing, and show the Democrats they can't get away with shit. Biden is literally one of the biggest neoliberal war-dogs alive, Trump would probably be better for the rest of the world, and we might see finally a few peaceful years.

[@Kazuma11290]

90% of Politics is somebody telling somebody else what to do. the other 10% is paperwork. It is a job for the feeble and narcisstic, that's why America has so many.

[@theconversationalpainter2020]

Hi from Australia where we currently have a labor federal government and mostly labor state governments. In reference to the debate, I'm like bring back Ross Perot!!

[@justinegonzalez6461]

I listened to this over my morning coffee. I needed it. I've been a card-carrying Democrat for so long... I've felt so disconnected from the Party since the debate and watching friends and people I respect basically copy and paste bad spin to get the Party members in line...

[@NarfleTheGarthok]

I turn 40 in a few weeks. DJT has been a dominating political force for 25% of my life and its infuriating. especially since basically since he made it to the bottom of the escalator it was clear that he was a terrible option.

[@sscoutistaken]

Imagine if child Donald J Trump had gotten therapy instead of getting sent to military school so it would "straighten him out".

[@Kcoldraz]

Better help is not that bad. As long as Micahel doesn't leave just like the other OG crew, Im good.😁

[@a_e_hilton]

Odds you do an ad read for an ad blocker? I mean, then Wisecrack fans who don't want to see BetterHelp ads can pay for a good one with a Wisecrack discount ~

[@juliaschwender404]

Betterhelp postures itself as being the solution for clients and counselors as if it is not too expensive for the majority of clients to use or won't cause problems with your licensure because of their sketchy practices with reciprocity...

[@ak-ub1ym]

No offense but in what world is that narrator living in if they say what Putin said about Trump as admiration when it looks like even he didnt wanna speak about that orange clown any more than needed and didnt want to give a second though about him 🤷 and felt more like he was mocking him. Or is it just me?

[@estebanrodriguez5409]

The only purpose of debates is to make people decide NOT to vote...

[@markvickery5894]

I mean ngl it succeeded with me lol, granted my vote doesn’t matter anyways since I live in a state that’s gonna vote for trump anyways and not a swing state

[@estebanrodriguez5409]

@@markvickery5894 Yeah, the way votes work in your country is a farse

[@sassyb58]

I watched the Friday video today...! And then the link to this pre aired livestream popped up at the end..so

[@RachelT444]

I didn’t watch it because I couldn’t take another comment that might support Biden

[@alexatedw]

I watch you. I don’t watch wisecrack. You happen to be on wisecrack

[@vesuvanprincess]

"...the person who wrote this email makes more money than you." 😂😂

[@Gold753]

It's a race to the bottom!

[@jadorejoe]

I feel the effects of hypernormalization in corporate America

[@orionwashburn2202]

Why do you dislike doing ads for BetterHelp?

[@helvis7336]

yep! mark the end of US history as 1/20/25

[@jjskn93]

Watching this 24hrs after it streamed is hard.

[@Greywind111]

Dear Michael I feel bad when you say that nobody sees the video cause I see all your videos religiously and I even let the full add run... :(

[@WisecrackEDU]

you are a saint.

[@timothyjohnson8247]

Yes, we always have been, and we're doing it to ourselves

[@alexatedw]

No way can I vote for Biden. They need to replace him now

[@BenjaminIMeszaros]

Are we screwed? Yes. Next question. 🫡

[@sachikopink0609]

It's joever, it's so f*cking joever

[@RachelT444]

We all want a glucose guardian these days!

[@taipolar333]

#PissYourWayToThePolls

[@theconversationalpainter2020]

In Australia we have a king.

[@AnnPorkins]

#pissyourwaytothepolls

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

The best thing of the debate was the memes it created😂😂😂😂

[@puddleglum666]

michael should definitely buy wisecrack

[@Ouroboros70]

Do a video on political violence.

[@BB-pn2qv]

Better help was truly awful. Tried three times and had ZERO help and just lost money. Terrible therapy experience. Turned my off of even taking the risk of therapy,

[@juugerjuuger3141]

🙏🙏🙏

[@falsificationism]

Did you guys hear about that floozy stingray that died? She claimed that she had "no male companion" but somehow got pregnant....somehow. Yeah. I call b.s. on that. Anyway, RIP the floozy stingray.

[@Fellupforward]

Love the stream

[@MikePawlak]

Something tells me your presidents-breaking-the-law video is gonna take off, now. So there's that. -laughcry-

[@Eriko-cy7iy]

Hey Michael, I love this channel and I say this with love, but I can only stomach so many political videos. This isn’t because the channel isn’t good at explaining it, it’s very good. It’s just that I’m burned out on politics, we are back into an election cycle and it’s emotionally exhausting. I would like some “wisecrack edition” on some media that steps away from the modern, political click bait. And I know it’s time consuming, I wish we could get a video like maybe once every month or every other month. 😢.

[@WisecrackEDU]

totally understandable. Honestly, the bummer is that often the political stuff does really well numbers wise and non-political stuff does bad. I would love nothing more than to balance all the political talk with more media and culture analysis.

[@Eriko-cy7iy]

@@WisecrackEDU thanks for the reply. Thanks for making these livestreams I feel like we are all collectively enduring this election season together. ❤

[@AnnPorkins]

I’ve missed a few weeks of live streams due to a months-long case of the Mondays. Bummed to hear about the advertising issue with WorseAssist, but I get that it’s a tough spot to be in. I give you the official Ann Porkins stamp of approval to take their money to help y’all keep the lights on. You gotta put slop on the table somehow, and fourteen dads don’t feed themselves (not until my patent goes through, at least)

[@grigorifateyev8410]

It was obvious back in the day. See the ruster of RT comedians and talkheads...

[@elfuturomio]

Are you ⁉️

[@rachelv6431]

Thanks!

[@3dartxsi]

Its nice that both candidates can agree on having contemp for the same segments of the population, and only seen to differ on how much contempt they have.

[@AllLogicIsDeadPastMidnight]

Yeah we let a lot of stuff happen. For the sake of taking care of our families. Only the starving revolt

[@JROtoons]

Other people's thoughts and opinions are so fascinating

[@slashismyhommie8182]

I love these live streams, but i never catch them live because you guys do them at the same time Majority Report is going.

[@SageWon-1aussie]

Performance art in the voting line as opposed to the performnce fart at 1:16:22.

[@disableddanny96]

I apologize if I seem clickbaitty

[@disableddanny96]

I had five brain surgeries in four months. I don’t know how to plug myself

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

I don't know why, but I saw your comment and went on a little browse of your channel and for what its worth, I hope you're doing alright 🤗🤗 and off topic, but, you're adorable like, nerdy, handsome, funny and beardy (my weakness haha) and seem so nice. Take care ok? and get well soon after your surgeries! sending you healing vibes 🤗

[@disableddanny96]

@@satyasyasatyasya5746 thank you! I’m glad my story is reaching people 😊

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

@@disableddanny96 You're welcome :)

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

As an international viewer, I can assure ALL Americans that we have NEVER respected the United States LESS than under Trump. It was honestly embarassing to witness him even getting elected, and realizing how far the US has fallen behind, and how deep she has sunk...😓

[@samdessino8635]

It is terrifying and heart breaking to live here... I was born in 2001 to a post 9/11 world, saw the 2008 economic crash in childhood. Trump won in 2016, and where we are now... never in all of my 22 years have I felt so hopeless

[@section9999]

Hail Satan! 🥰

[@sassy_sasarai4090]

666 to you, pardner

[@thomaslister883]

Hello, I sent an email! I do similar work to wisecrack but I currently am trapped at a libertarian think tank. Save me!

[@WisecrackEDU]

I'll check it out!!

[@satyasyasatyasya5746]

maybe bend it towards libertarian socialism? Since libertarians are so selfish and stuff, why not go the way of Oscar Wilde; "socialism frees us of the burden of caring for other people" lol

[@Raziel312]

Wouldn't changing the Democrat candidate at this point be basically waving the white flag? It seems the thing people are drawn to most is strength and confidence. Trump lies with every breath, but he does so with supreme self-assured confidence. I don't know of a single Democrat who has the profile that would allow him/her to pick up the pieces and win after the colossal admission of weakness pulling Biden would constitute.

[@9000ck]

I think its waving the white flag to keep Biden in there. We are basically saying 'no, we don't react to reality in a speedy and dynamic way, we back liberal propaganda and gaslighting as much as MAGA backs extreme right wing reactionary propaganda and gaslighting.' Essentially it was anti-democratic not to hold primaries and it is anti-democratic not to have an open convention. We are in danger of becoming anti-democratic. That is the real danger - that we are becoming anti-democratic and fascistic. When we become anti-democratic and fascistic we have definitely lost. And we are doing it all to protect the feelings of a stubborn, dementing old man who will be dead in a few years. Its insane not to remove him.

[@duncan.o-vic]

It doesn't even matter. It doesn't even matter who wins. It will certainly get worse before it gets better.

[@dontmisunderstand6041]

We already know without doubt that if Trump loses the election, a violent coup attempt will happen. Again. Because that's what happened last time. And the system has already insisted that it's entirely ok that it happened. I repeat, the results of the last coup attempt confirmed without doubt that there are no consequences for doing so.

[@TheRandomhobo123]

The Dems have already shown weakness by electing Biden in the first place. If anything, changing candidates would show strength in making the difficult choice for the country over the party

[@Terminalsanity]

We are only screwed if we let Trump and the GOP win, we are living with Biden and his elder issues and its mostly fine because he clearly delegates to his staff who are clearly mostly competent. So suck it up again, do what need to be done, again an vote blue no matter who because it the only way to vote against Trump and ignore anyone who says otherwise.

[@chloeryanvtuber]

100% this. Project 2025 must be stopped at all costs. "Neither left nor right" ideology is right-wing, and Joe Biden is not as evil as some people make him out to be. ESPECIALLY when it comes to LGBT rights, pretty sure Obama wouldn't have done jack for us if Biden didn't convince him

[@Vhs-fuq]

Trump speaks in a way, where you forget what he said, but will remember how it made you feel.