Great application of Bahktin’s theory of carnival. As for access to information, I think it was you suggested that we start downloading material now so as to have access later. Not news, but a foundation of valid information to build upon.
Definitely. Been working on it. I hit a brick wall with trying to download articles from scientific journals. Doesn't seem to be a way to download entire archives. We might have to crowdsource that.
Yes, this is crucial. I’ve been slowly downloading more and more of what’s available wherever I can, installed Wayback Machine’s browser extension to document the web, and done other things to make sure we can save our collective knowledge in the event of total catastrophe.
I've often worried that our monthly nationwide protests against the Regime were merely a "carnival" providing a pressure relief value for the masses to let off steam. BTW, the next one is scheduled: Saturday, August 2nd: Rage Against The Regime. A catchy title, and another opportunity to let off steam...but remember: the Regime gets more powerful with each passing day. The firing of Colbert is just the latest example of that.
I've worried about the same as well. Protest is a mixed blessing. Seems like it's necessary but not sufficient. Everyone seems to think protests scare the tech bros, but they don't contend with how much technology has changed. Would a revolution like that work going up against tanks, assault weapons, storm troopers in riot gear, tear gas, kill drones, and a cybertech industry that can identify protestors, disappear them, or wipe out their bank accounts and get them fired? That's the problem. So I agree, I don't know the solution, but I know the vast majority aren't even asking the right questions.
I was born protesting in Watts, LA. Have things improved for Black Americans since the 1960’s? Yes, for some. For the majority , no. George Floyd was murdered 8 miles from my house, and the state and city changed nothing.
Yes, our resistance movement must evolve and use a variety of traditional and new tactics. I particularly like the idea of a General Strike/Sick Day/Blackout. Take the fight to the Regime's economic support. The Oligarchs will force him out if they lose enough money. There are many other tactics we can employ, but that's the one I'm advocating for both online (e.g., commenting on 50501 posts) and in person at Indivisible meetings.
Hell yeah! Love that they're leaving the produce on the ground for three days. Been supporting CA's farmworkers since Cesar Chavez's movement in the 1980s. We need a lot more of that...scaled up as you say!
Any more it seems that only boycotts, strikes, and such economic acts are the only thing that matters to the powers that be. Very hard to do with all the local butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers all long gone.
In my rural area if you boycott Amazon and Wal-Mart (for example) you really can't buy much of anything from anyone because all that's left downtown is hair salons and martial arts studios.
There's a few co-ops in the cities and local farmers markets in small towns, but not anywhere near enough.
So protests probably still help, but even No Kings Day (with millions of people) didn't get much media attention.
I see it mostly as you say, but I'm inclined to view it as having been inevitable, a milestone reached.
I'm not at all sure that I won't be silenced, and I think your odds are worse. You write of a wider range of topics, are way more inclined to name names, and I think would be considered a bigger danger.
I'm such an outlier that they can safely ignore me, but that's my only long term hope. It's not that comforting a knowledge, but I'm used to it.
I think it's the inevitable output of the system as it is operating. The purpose of a system is its output. The purpose of building wind turbines is to sell coal, oil, concrete, and steel. The purpose of government as it has evolved is to funnel all wealth and power to those in charge, not to be confused with the people in office. You know all this, I think.
I think the physical collapse we’re living in has to have this societal collapse built in it.
By the way, the Amish maintain a nationwide network with paper and the US Mail. Newspapers, letters, fliers, books. I don't think the US Mail is a sure thing for the long haul, but we could arrange our own delivery system.
Paper is slower but it's harder to attack and harder to stop. Samizdat broke the Soviet Union.
The Underground in the 70's had it's own couriers and "mail system". If you were a prominent Leftist aka "socialist/communist" you could pretty much count on having your phone tapped and your mail opened.
Newsletters and zines that pass "hand to hand" between trusted individuals and then within each "cell" of resistance are the hardiest form of communication.
This speaks to the broader picture in that the current government is working hard towards a fascist authoritarian regime change. There is a lot of pushback starting up everywhere and its having a effect on Trump and his white house. Censorship is indeed becoming more and more up front in everyone's faces.
Then there is the latest, under published issues with his 'minor' health issue of bruised hands and swollen legs. Vein issues I read somewhere. I have been postulating the last couple of days that the U.S. may be experiencing a change in the head of the government by next year. Trump may go away and J.D. Vance would then take over. Then what?
True, and I've seen those reports. I wouldn't doubt they're using Epstein to wedge Trump away from his base and move up Vance. After that? I'm not sure Vance has the oomph to rally MAGA, but maybe that doesn't matter in their future schemes.
It's not MAGA per se we have to worry about. It's the people working behind the screen, like Stephen Miller and Russel Vought we have to watch. They're the ones trying to steer the country into a white, ethno-fascist state run by Christian Nationalists.
When the court jester gets hauled offstage, it’s not because the king grew a sense of humor. It’s because the jester got too close to the truth.
Bakhtin’s carnival wasn’t just a release valve—it was also a rehearsal for revolution. And now they’re canceling rehearsal. Not because it wasn’t funny enough, but because it made the wrong people nervous while the empire was rotting in real time.
What we’re witnessing isn’t just censorship. It’s a hostile redesign of the public square—where satire is silenced, skepticism is flagged, and your grandma’s tomato-growing videos are one algorithm tweak away from becoming national security threats.
They’ll call it a business decision. They always do. But behind every “business decision” is a billionaire with a God complex and a lobbyist whispering bedtime stories to the FCC.
So yeah, laugh while you still can. But don’t mistake the laughter for safety. The canceling of Colbert isn’t the death of comedy. It’s the embalming of dissent.
I agree, it's not a good sign when they won't even let anyone have the release valve. This is where I land at the end of the article, not just a censored media, but every avenue of discourse turned into an enshittified landfill of misinformation that gets people killed and kills our ability to do anything, whether that's organize or just prepare for the next disaster. If it doesn't lead to a revolution, it will lead to a world worse than Orwell could've imagined.
Late night television is all part of the circus. You can't be a Colbert or a Stewart working for the machine that is crushing us, and be a true voice against the dire issues with which we're confronted. You're taking their money, after all. And yes, they give us a comfort that numbs action. Pacifying BS.
Protesting isn't cutting it either. Thinking taking to the streets is going to make a difference in today's environment is delusional. This isn't the 1960s when there was a better media and REAL liberals. Everything is oil and AIPAC owned now.
We see the truth of the evil and ruthlessness of those who run the world in Gaza. That will be you and me on this path.
If Colbert has any balls he will stop with the BS entertainment, and use his wealth to start a true movement with integrity and courage, naming names and being serious. He should quit now and denounce the network. None of this is a joke that he reduces it to. I'm not holding my breath.
Jessica has far more courage than Colbert. Death is coming for billions, if not in my lifetime, certainly my daughter's. Everything is on the line now. If you're reading, but not acting you're a neutered participant in oblivion.
Boycotting and striking are necessary. Stop paying your taxes. Taking their money away is a powerful and necessary start. Fighting is a chance. Not fighting is guaranteed death. Nothing short of toppling the system will do. Is ICE reading this?
Probably not ICE, but you might have a file with the Gestapo, sorry DHS. Palantir got the contract to allow them to create "real time" intelligence assessments on all Americans just recently. In a few more years their AI WILL be "evaluating" your "loyalty".
In some ways I'm almost glad the Climate Crisis that they deny so rabidly, is going to break the back of the MAGA cult.
Although Collapse will be UGLY. At least we aren't going to have to put up with decades of fascist rule.
Yes, Palantir is frightening and will remove all barriers between governmental departments and seek to predict our behavior to flag us as problems. I touched on that in "Our Gordian Knot."
The droolers of the MAGA cult will get what they deserve. Others are already highly paid ICE agents. The job qualifications are simple, ignorance, racism and a penchant for violence.
I started writing some observations on this, but it's getting on to the length now (LOL) that I may just make a blog post on my site and point back to this, if you don't mind?
While you may belittle the efforts of our nighttime comedians, keep in mind that in our current political environment, they are often the only ones left speaking on TV with a basis in truth.
I think that I must live in a different America. I think that Many Black Americans also live in a different America than 90% of Americans.
We live in an America where a police stop for making a right turn on a red could end our lives.
An America where our ancestors had to migrate north to save their lives and the lives of their children.
An America where the media always portrayed us demons, deserving of whatever happens to us.
An America where censorship is the norm.
An America where we were not allowed to send our children to a camp, cause it’s an all white camp in 2025.
An America that no matter how hard we work, we will never get the promotion, cause we don’t have any sponsors or mentors.
An America where we have to wait in line for ours to vote. An America that redistricts us so that our vote doesn’t count.
An America where the police can murder us, with no repercussions.
An America that would prefer that we die.
An America that has always been authoritarian, fascists and inequitable.
So, am I worried about an increase in white male censorship, no. The tonight show that has only had white male hosts, is canceled. Does it impact my life, no. It doesn’t.
Such a place exists in the fediverse, it’s just not as easy to navigate as YouTube and instagram and twitter. But they’re there and people are constantly working to make them better.
We are being governed by people who will do anything to increase their power, stifle dissent and dismantle our federal government except for the military. There are no easy answers or ways out. It’s going to continue until people say “enough” and rise up. The protests are a start but they won’t make a dent until there is a mass movement that scares them.
I do know how to billionaire-proof the media. I wrote a book about it. I have a credible track record in this field, too. https://tropicalgroup.gumroad.com/l/cqmjcu Here’s the free version https://pm4p.net/a-fever-dream-of-democratised-storytelling-episode-1-413b69bcfc98
I'll check it out!
Very cool!
I'll check this out ✌️
It's soo nice to meet our fellow citizens of truth and humanity
Thanks for the link. I'll go there now.
Great application of Bahktin’s theory of carnival. As for access to information, I think it was you suggested that we start downloading material now so as to have access later. Not news, but a foundation of valid information to build upon.
Definitely. Been working on it. I hit a brick wall with trying to download articles from scientific journals. Doesn't seem to be a way to download entire archives. We might have to crowdsource that.
Yes, this is crucial. I’ve been slowly downloading more and more of what’s available wherever I can, installed Wayback Machine’s browser extension to document the web, and done other things to make sure we can save our collective knowledge in the event of total catastrophe.
Great read, Jessica, as always.
Have you tried accessing the same content via the Internet Archive at https://web.archive.org/ ?
I've often worried that our monthly nationwide protests against the Regime were merely a "carnival" providing a pressure relief value for the masses to let off steam. BTW, the next one is scheduled: Saturday, August 2nd: Rage Against The Regime. A catchy title, and another opportunity to let off steam...but remember: the Regime gets more powerful with each passing day. The firing of Colbert is just the latest example of that.
I've worried about the same as well. Protest is a mixed blessing. Seems like it's necessary but not sufficient. Everyone seems to think protests scare the tech bros, but they don't contend with how much technology has changed. Would a revolution like that work going up against tanks, assault weapons, storm troopers in riot gear, tear gas, kill drones, and a cybertech industry that can identify protestors, disappear them, or wipe out their bank accounts and get them fired? That's the problem. So I agree, I don't know the solution, but I know the vast majority aren't even asking the right questions.
I was born protesting in Watts, LA. Have things improved for Black Americans since the 1960’s? Yes, for some. For the majority , no. George Floyd was murdered 8 miles from my house, and the state and city changed nothing.
Yes, our resistance movement must evolve and use a variety of traditional and new tactics. I particularly like the idea of a General Strike/Sick Day/Blackout. Take the fight to the Regime's economic support. The Oligarchs will force him out if they lose enough money. There are many other tactics we can employ, but that's the one I'm advocating for both online (e.g., commenting on 50501 posts) and in person at Indivisible meetings.
I just saw coverage of a one day Latin agricultural strike.
https://youtu.be/0yLAylDalhk?feature=shared
This is how you do it, scaled way up.
Hell yeah! Love that they're leaving the produce on the ground for three days. Been supporting CA's farmworkers since Cesar Chavez's movement in the 1980s. We need a lot more of that...scaled up as you say!
Any more it seems that only boycotts, strikes, and such economic acts are the only thing that matters to the powers that be. Very hard to do with all the local butchers, bakers, and candlestick makers all long gone.
In my rural area if you boycott Amazon and Wal-Mart (for example) you really can't buy much of anything from anyone because all that's left downtown is hair salons and martial arts studios.
There's a few co-ops in the cities and local farmers markets in small towns, but not anywhere near enough.
So protests probably still help, but even No Kings Day (with millions of people) didn't get much media attention.
A brilliant work, as usual.
I see it mostly as you say, but I'm inclined to view it as having been inevitable, a milestone reached.
I'm not at all sure that I won't be silenced, and I think your odds are worse. You write of a wider range of topics, are way more inclined to name names, and I think would be considered a bigger danger.
I'm such an outlier that they can safely ignore me, but that's my only long term hope. It's not that comforting a knowledge, but I'm used to it.
I think it's the inevitable output of the system as it is operating. The purpose of a system is its output. The purpose of building wind turbines is to sell coal, oil, concrete, and steel. The purpose of government as it has evolved is to funnel all wealth and power to those in charge, not to be confused with the people in office. You know all this, I think.
I think the physical collapse we’re living in has to have this societal collapse built in it.
By the way, the Amish maintain a nationwide network with paper and the US Mail. Newspapers, letters, fliers, books. I don't think the US Mail is a sure thing for the long haul, but we could arrange our own delivery system.
Paper is slower but it's harder to attack and harder to stop. Samizdat broke the Soviet Union.
Best to you.
Interesting point, faster is not always (or even usually) better.
The Underground in the 70's had it's own couriers and "mail system". If you were a prominent Leftist aka "socialist/communist" you could pretty much count on having your phone tapped and your mail opened.
Newsletters and zines that pass "hand to hand" between trusted individuals and then within each "cell" of resistance are the hardiest form of communication.
This speaks to the broader picture in that the current government is working hard towards a fascist authoritarian regime change. There is a lot of pushback starting up everywhere and its having a effect on Trump and his white house. Censorship is indeed becoming more and more up front in everyone's faces.
Then there is the latest, under published issues with his 'minor' health issue of bruised hands and swollen legs. Vein issues I read somewhere. I have been postulating the last couple of days that the U.S. may be experiencing a change in the head of the government by next year. Trump may go away and J.D. Vance would then take over. Then what?
True, and I've seen those reports. I wouldn't doubt they're using Epstein to wedge Trump away from his base and move up Vance. After that? I'm not sure Vance has the oomph to rally MAGA, but maybe that doesn't matter in their future schemes.
It's not MAGA per se we have to worry about. It's the people working behind the screen, like Stephen Miller and Russel Vought we have to watch. They're the ones trying to steer the country into a white, ethno-fascist state run by Christian Nationalists.
When the court jester gets hauled offstage, it’s not because the king grew a sense of humor. It’s because the jester got too close to the truth.
Bakhtin’s carnival wasn’t just a release valve—it was also a rehearsal for revolution. And now they’re canceling rehearsal. Not because it wasn’t funny enough, but because it made the wrong people nervous while the empire was rotting in real time.
What we’re witnessing isn’t just censorship. It’s a hostile redesign of the public square—where satire is silenced, skepticism is flagged, and your grandma’s tomato-growing videos are one algorithm tweak away from becoming national security threats.
They’ll call it a business decision. They always do. But behind every “business decision” is a billionaire with a God complex and a lobbyist whispering bedtime stories to the FCC.
So yeah, laugh while you still can. But don’t mistake the laughter for safety. The canceling of Colbert isn’t the death of comedy. It’s the embalming of dissent.
I agree, it's not a good sign when they won't even let anyone have the release valve. This is where I land at the end of the article, not just a censored media, but every avenue of discourse turned into an enshittified landfill of misinformation that gets people killed and kills our ability to do anything, whether that's organize or just prepare for the next disaster. If it doesn't lead to a revolution, it will lead to a world worse than Orwell could've imagined.
Late night television is all part of the circus. You can't be a Colbert or a Stewart working for the machine that is crushing us, and be a true voice against the dire issues with which we're confronted. You're taking their money, after all. And yes, they give us a comfort that numbs action. Pacifying BS.
Protesting isn't cutting it either. Thinking taking to the streets is going to make a difference in today's environment is delusional. This isn't the 1960s when there was a better media and REAL liberals. Everything is oil and AIPAC owned now.
We see the truth of the evil and ruthlessness of those who run the world in Gaza. That will be you and me on this path.
If Colbert has any balls he will stop with the BS entertainment, and use his wealth to start a true movement with integrity and courage, naming names and being serious. He should quit now and denounce the network. None of this is a joke that he reduces it to. I'm not holding my breath.
Jessica has far more courage than Colbert. Death is coming for billions, if not in my lifetime, certainly my daughter's. Everything is on the line now. If you're reading, but not acting you're a neutered participant in oblivion.
Boycotting and striking are necessary. Stop paying your taxes. Taking their money away is a powerful and necessary start. Fighting is a chance. Not fighting is guaranteed death. Nothing short of toppling the system will do. Is ICE reading this?
Probably not ICE, but you might have a file with the Gestapo, sorry DHS. Palantir got the contract to allow them to create "real time" intelligence assessments on all Americans just recently. In a few more years their AI WILL be "evaluating" your "loyalty".
In some ways I'm almost glad the Climate Crisis that they deny so rabidly, is going to break the back of the MAGA cult.
Although Collapse will be UGLY. At least we aren't going to have to put up with decades of fascist rule.
Yes, Palantir is frightening and will remove all barriers between governmental departments and seek to predict our behavior to flag us as problems. I touched on that in "Our Gordian Knot."
https://geoffreydeihl.substack.com/p/our-gordian-knot
The droolers of the MAGA cult will get what they deserve. Others are already highly paid ICE agents. The job qualifications are simple, ignorance, racism and a penchant for violence.
Boycott CBS, cancel your Paramount account and put that money into independent journalism!
https://mdavis19881.substack.com/p/breaking-colbert-cancelled
For current accurate independent political news, the folks over at and associated with the Meidas Touch Network are great resources.
I started writing some observations on this, but it's getting on to the length now (LOL) that I may just make a blog post on my site and point back to this, if you don't mind?
While you may belittle the efforts of our nighttime comedians, keep in mind that in our current political environment, they are often the only ones left speaking on TV with a basis in truth.
I think that I must live in a different America. I think that Many Black Americans also live in a different America than 90% of Americans.
We live in an America where a police stop for making a right turn on a red could end our lives.
An America where our ancestors had to migrate north to save their lives and the lives of their children.
An America where the media always portrayed us demons, deserving of whatever happens to us.
An America where censorship is the norm.
An America where we were not allowed to send our children to a camp, cause it’s an all white camp in 2025.
An America that no matter how hard we work, we will never get the promotion, cause we don’t have any sponsors or mentors.
An America where we have to wait in line for ours to vote. An America that redistricts us so that our vote doesn’t count.
An America where the police can murder us, with no repercussions.
An America that would prefer that we die.
An America that has always been authoritarian, fascists and inequitable.
So, am I worried about an increase in white male censorship, no. The tonight show that has only had white male hosts, is canceled. Does it impact my life, no. It doesn’t.
Such a place exists in the fediverse, it’s just not as easy to navigate as YouTube and instagram and twitter. But they’re there and people are constantly working to make them better.
https://fedi.tips/
We are being governed by people who will do anything to increase their power, stifle dissent and dismantle our federal government except for the military. There are no easy answers or ways out. It’s going to continue until people say “enough” and rise up. The protests are a start but they won’t make a dent until there is a mass movement that scares them.
Censorship in America is as American as Baseball and Football and Apple pie.
When have mainstream outlets talked about Black or Native Americans, and in a positive light?
I have friends who were alive during McCarthiesm. Muhammed Ali, Nina Simone,
Dr Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, Louis Armstrong- all were censored.
Now regular old white male Americans are being censored too…welcome to the party Mr Colbert.
Fuck you clowns. You supported totalitarianism during the plandemic. What the fuck did your tiny little brain think would happen next?