One of the main challenges facing the conservative movement today is that we have abandoned the strategy of creating and advancing our own culture and have become obsessed with the tactics of our adversaries and the diagnosis of their woke ideology.
This may sound familiar: a content creator publishes a book or a podcast episode that explores the origins of communism/wokeness/identity politics and how the ideology has infiltrated culture.
That ideology has overtaken Hollywood and launched a cultural movement that lasted for more than three decades. It has infected every aspect of popular culture with its poison. While the analysis is likely well-researched and detailed, it fails to offer any real solutions to reclaim the culture from the enemy.
This is the current state of affairs and the deadlock that hampers the right. Too often, I encounter people who, instead of engaging in a constructive dialogue about how we can find and support young talent who share our values, simply declare that they want nothing to do with any culture that is degenerate.
This confirms the old prophecy that conservatives retreat from the battlefield and isolate themselves in a ghetto on the margins of what is mainstream and popular.
I am not suggesting that we should become fixated on the mainstream or enslaved by it, but if we can recognize that the culture is infected by a mind virus that was planted by the Bolshevik jailer who holds the key to our liberation from this nightmare, then why can't we devise an antivirus?
That antivirus will use the same mode of action to cure the infection by blocking or occupying the virus receptor, and the solution is simple, though not easy: The right needs to start cultivating young talent instead of becoming a boys club that regurigitates complaints but takes no real action.
Instead of fighting over the limited market share of the disaffected right, we must expand the market and reach new audiences.
We must identify and support content streamers who are edgy enough to attract attention but not too extreme to alienate potential allies. Fund them, patronize them, and connect with their networks to find more people like them who can be mentored and promoted.
By promoting them, I don't mean turning them into mini versions of Ben Shapiro with worse haircuts. I mean helping them develop and refine their own views based on the core values of liberty.
Liberty is essential for conservatism, and the two are inseparable concepts. Liberty elevates the individual, while communism squashes it. Collectivists despise the idea of someone who follows their own path, and they try to ostracize and shame them into submission and conformity–even going so far as to rebrand their collective as liberating, as the American left has done. But we know that there is no independence in forced conformity.
Strategy to reclaim the culture
Tap into independent creators and restore some of the edge that the right had in 2015-2016 when we were a truly diverse and inclusive movement, think meme wars.
No more purity tests and witch hunts for "fake conservatives" that are driving away most of the young people who are fed up with the woke indoctrination in schools and the establishment's version of reality.
Plant the seeds of our values and morality into the next generation and let it nurture them, not indoctrinate them.
Let's show them the fun side of being conservative, which is enjoying freedom without the intrusive gaze of big brother, cracking jokes without worrying about someone taking away everything you have and sending you to the naughty corner. We need to foster some youthful rebellion instead of acting like the evangelicals of the late '90s and early 2000s who gasped at everything.
We need to fund movies and productions that don’t focus on ideological compliance, but tell stories that reflect conservative values, traditional narratives, and are about being free from the oppressive power of a state or entity.
It's time to actually be the rebels and not just claim that we are the counterculture while being as moralistic as the left. One way to do this is to simply replace one or two characters in a story with ones who embody the values of a rugged individualist, and give them some lines where they find what they are looking for by using the values of masculinity or by relying on the wisdom of an elder who reveals that they were also a rebel before they became who they are when the protagonist meets them. That is a more subtle way to introduce these values into movies without overdoing it to the point where it becomes a cheesy production that looks like something you would watch in vacation Bible School.
The key word for funding projects that can create a culture is "subtlety." We should look for streamers, movie critics, and other influencers who are not afraid to be part of Hollywood, but who can also be standard bearers for our values and wave the American flag with pride. That way, we can rally people around our cause and become the true rebels who challenge the left's position as the dull and oppressive authoritarians that nobody likes. They are already doing it to some extent, but the right cannot counter them by copying their tactics, as that would only alienate the kids and people who are looking for an alternative. That would be like leaving money on the table, so to speak.
I will outline some of the areas that the right needs to reclaim in the next four years if we want to have a chance against the threat of the left closing the door on the right as a movement that can appeal to the youth. If the right does not change its "flee the battlefield" strategy and push back the weirdo woke cultists who left Reddit and Tumblr and started to spread their influence in reality, then the next generations will be worse off than even the millennials who can only refer to Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and The Handmaid's Tale as cultural references.
Video game streamers
This is one of the most promising areas to start with, as the right's target audience consists of young men who are disillusioned with life and turn to games as a way to escape. I know that many conservative influencers have dismissed video games as complex and pointless distractions, but we cannot ignore the potential market that exists in this area.
The right's aim should be to find streamers who are edgy enough to attract attention and build communities on platforms such as Telegram and Discord, where gaming-related conversations can challenge the woke orthodoxy. You have heard of the term "gamer words," right? Where do you think it came from? Gamers are some of the most outspoken and politically incorrect people out there. They may not fit the traditional conservative image of the clean-cut and responsible male, but they are very adaptable and versatile. Many of them also belong to other communities that share traditional values, such as fitness or religion. Gaming is also a competitive arena, which can help people overcome the mediocrity of the participation trophy mindset.
Conservative organizations need to fund streamers who can go live and speak their minds on platforms where they can reach more kids. This means no censorship, no micromanagement, and no pearl-clutching if some naughty words are uttered. Whether they are slaying dragons in Skyrim, building empires in Civilization, or shooting zombies in Resident Evil, they can use games as a medium to spread conservative ideas and values in a fun and engaging way.
Movie critics
It is hard to tell whether Hollywood became woke because of the influence of woke reviewers or whether the reviewers followed the trend of woke movies. Either way, this is our chance to break that cycle and restore some standards and quality to movies, instead of letting them become preachy and annoying.
We need to create and support media critics who have a taste for good culture and media and who can express what we feel when we watch a movie that is full of woke clichés and token characters. This does not mean that we should bash every movie for being woke, but rather that we should point out how the woke elements ruin the movie as a whole.
By doing this, we can have an impact on the culture and steer it towards a more conservative and moderate direction. Critics have a lot of power over the studios and the movies they produce, as they can shape the public opinion and the box office results. If we have more critics who can challenge the woke agenda and demand better movies, we can put pressure on the studios to change their course and make movies that appeal to a wider and more diverse audience.
Fiction writers
Following the example of the movie critics, we also need conservative fiction writers who can do what the woke hacks in media have forgotten how to do. We need writers who can craft stories that capture the American spirit without drowning it in red, white and blue propaganda that even a long Covid patient could smell from a mile away. Fiction has a powerful influence on the culture, as it can inspire, educate and entertain people of all ages and backgrounds. Think of how many people have been shaped by the works of Tolkien, Lewis, Orwell, or Rand. We need more writers like them who can convey conservative values and ideas through compelling narratives and characters.
Music artists
This one should be easy: just find an artist who makes good music and promote them. It doesn't matter what genre they belong to, so don't limit yourself to country or neo-gospel artists. Cover the whole spectrum of musical tastes, including rock, hip-hop that doesn't make you cringe, and even the dreaded pop music. The underlying themes should be rebellion, freedom and individuality. You can even throw in a snarky line about Uncle Sam if you want. Just don't go overboard and make it sound like a parody. Music is another powerful cultural force, as it can express emotions, opinions and identities that resonate with people. Think of how many people have been influenced by the music of Dylan, Springsteen, Tupac or Swift. We need more artists like them who can make conservative music that is catchy and meaningful.
Athletes
A good way to do this is to follow the example of the mixed martial arts world, where many athletes are already conservative. Find a favorite, reference their views, invite them to speak at a conference or two as long as they don't say anything that gets them canceled. If the league that they belong to decides to make an example out of them, then you need to show your full support for that athlete and express your discontent with the league, whether it's the NFL or the NBA. This is the same tactic that the left uses to push their agenda and we should use it too. I can tell you that the rhetoric and use of the term "sportsball" won't get you anywhere here. Sports are another powerful cultural force, as they can inspire, motivate and unite people around common goals and values. Think of how many people have been inspired by the sportsmanship of Jordan, Brady, Ali or Williams. We need more athletes like them who can represent conservative values and excellence in sports.
Sports podcasts
We have already made some progress in this area with shows like Pat McAfee's show, although it remains to be seen if he will keep his edge now that ESPN is paying him. But we also have other shows and podcasts like the Barstool Sports shows and the Daily Wire's shows with Jake Crane. The formula is similar to sports: just don't be a snob and mock people for watching and enjoying sports, or you will lose them all. Sports podcasts are a great way to reach a large and diverse audience who are interested in sports news, analysis and commentary, but who also appreciate some humor and personality. We need more podcasts like these that can offer a conservative perspective on sports and culture without being boring or preachy.
General influencers
Sometimes you just need people who have a charismatic personality that draws people in. PewDiePie is one of the best examples, as he does not specialize in anything but he is fairly right-wing in his views and style. We need more people like him who are cool and can connect with young people or at least a target demographic that has some cultural influence. General influencers can use their platforms to entertain, educate and inspire people on various topics, from gaming to fashion to politics. They can also challenge the woke narratives and expose their absurdity and hypocrisy.
Comedic shows
This one is close to my heart, as I grew up watching Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert. But while Colbert played a parody of a right-wing pundit in the 2000s, we need an actual show that can deliver the news in a funny but direct and tongue-in-cheek way. There are different ways to do this and it does not have to be overly polished or produced, nor does it have to go through big networks, but it will need a lot of support. Alex Stein has found his niche in this department and I think he can be a model for other shows that want to do the same.
We also need some fictional shows that can do this. Look at how popular shows that are non-serialized and episodic are. Shows like It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Parks and Recreation always find viewers, we just need more of them with conservative actors and/or themes that can air on some of these new emerging media companies that claim to be alternatives to Hollywood.
Tech bros
This is an often overlooked area, but it is crucial for the culture. The reason why most tech companies are so woke is because they hire people who went to college and were indoctrinated with woke ideology. This creates a feedback loop where these people become managers and impose their ideas on their teams and the company culture. This then affects the products and services they offer and the discourse they allow on their platforms. To break this cycle, we need more conservatives in tech who can resist the woke agenda and offer different perspectives and solutions. We also need to create a pipeline for conservatives to learn tech skills outside of the college system or reform it altogether. Tech bros can use their expertise and influence to create innovative and useful products and services that serve the public interest and uphold conservative values.
I have given you a lot of information that you can actually use to create something that can reclaim the culture, instead of another article that tells you how we messed up for the umpteenth time. I hope this will serve as a blueprint and a starting point for our cultural journey. Time is running out and these generations are passing us by while we sit on our thinking chairs and talk endlessly and pointlessly.
The solution to our problem is simple, but not easy. It will require a lot of projects that may not have a high return on investment, but that does not mean that the ideas are bad. It just means that we need to invest more to make them work.
So what are you waiting for? Get up from your chair and start creating, supporting and promoting conservative culture. Find your niche, your talent, your audience. Be edgy, be funny, be smart, be cool. Be the rebel that challenges the woke establishment and inspires others to do the same. Be the change that you want to see in the world. The culture war is not over yet, and we can still win it. But we have to start now.
