INSOMNIA STREAM： CAN THEY FLY EDITION
Stream Summary
The "Can They Fly Edition" of the Insomnia Stream, hosted by Devon Stack, centers on a wide-ranging commentary about social media censorship, personal experiences with Twitter bans, and broader cultural shifts in media and society. The stream features a detailed breakdown of a 1990s TV show episode ("Wings") that addresses themes of shunning, acceptance, and changing norms around LGBTQ+ representation. Devon critiques the influence of media, discusses the normalization of certain social behaviors, and interacts with viewers through hyperchats, responding to questions about history, movies, and current events.
- Twitter censorship and account bans
- Analysis of follower count manipulation and platform algorithms
- Discussion of the TV show "Wings" and its portrayal of social issues
- Commentary on media influence and cultural programming
- Viewer questions about history, movies, and societal trends
- Reflections on shunning, social acceptance, and generational change
- Hyperchat interactions covering topics from fertility rates to government surveillance
Sources
Key Points of Wisdom
-
[01:29:44]
“You can't have democracy with demographics like we've got—it just doesn't exist. Even if the voting was 100% real, it wouldn't be, because it's just cats chasing a laser pointer. When the public is that easy to manipulate, it really doesn't matter who's voting; it matters who's manipulating the voters.”
On the relationship between group psychology, manipulation, and the limits of democratic systems.
-
[01:24:41]
“If you can keep stimulating the irrational self, then leadership can basically go on doing what it wants to do.”
On the use of distraction and desire to maintain power.
-
[01:43:23]
“If you look at what happened here 25 years ago, the way that it's being presented in this television show and then where we're at today...you can also imagine what's going on in culture today. Everything just seems to go faster these days. These ideas can spread much faster than they could in the 1990s.”
On the acceleration of cultural change through media and technology.
-
[01:47:48]
“We need to start socially shaming these people. No more of this back the blue and all this other stuff. Make them feel bad. Right now they feel like that because you mentioned they like order and doing the right thing, but part of it is because of status. They like the status. They feel like there's an honor to it.”
On the power of social incentives and the importance of community standards.
-
[01:51:02]
“You can manifest changes in the micro in your own life. Just because you can't stop the system doesn't mean you can't have changes in your own life and be happy. Activism is a way to meet like-minded people.”
On the value of local action and building supportive communities.
-
[01:59:56]
“The authorities in the federal government, they don't have magical talismans around their neck that give them magical authority over people. If people didn't believe in their legitimacy, they wouldn't have authority anymore.”
On the social contract and the nature of authority.
Hyperchat Summary
- Audience discussed the influence of 1990s sitcoms and media on changing social norms and attitudes.
- Questions about the effectiveness of shunning, community-building, and strategies for maintaining group identity.
- Commentary on demographic change, peer pressure, and the acceleration of cultural trends.
- Personal anecdotes about media, activism, and daily life.
- Requests for reviews of films, TV shows, and historical documentaries.
- Lighthearted exchanges about technology, music, and community experiences.
Hyperchat Contributors
- Harmless G
- Hammer Authorizing
- Graham Playing Games
- Jay Ray 1981
- Tipsy Mcstay Egger
- Comfy Chair
- Slipstream
- Blazing Stranger
- Man Before Time
- Night Train 88
- Artifact
- Decimal Threat
- White Tiger Kingdom
- Simbey
- Clark Smith
- Rupert
- Gorilla hands
- Kernel Sharecropper
- Crow Seiden
- Green Apu
- Tennis Nuts
- Mighty Mouse
- LucciNation
- Others (see transcript for full list)