Some More News Some More News: Do You Get It Now, Ben?
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Feb 11, 2026 A sharp takedown of punditry culture, examining how outrage, grift, and topic-hopping create real-world harm. It traces a pundit’s shift from amplifying trolls to criticizing antisemitism and asks whether he helped unleash the very forces he now condemns. The show also connects online rhetoric to violence, highlights selective outrage, and critiques media permission structures.
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Fiction Reflects Political Permission
- Johnston uses the film One Battle After Another as an allegory for revolutions consuming themselves.
- He argues groups that demonize opponents can create permission structures for violence.
Three-Part Permission Structure
- Ben's "permission structure" concept is summarized: conspiratorial scapegoating plus belief violence is justified.
- Johnston points out similar dynamics underlie real-world radicalization and violence.
Noticing Real State Violence Matters
- Johnston contrasts targeting of drag performers with documented ICE violence to show asymmetry in outrage.
- He argues showing real abuses by powerful agencies isn't equivalent to stochastic terrorism.
