Thanks, @Galphar! Moderating respectful disagreement and core values in TYT chats sounds tough. How can we extend this to broader coalition-building? Your work is inspiring!
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@mggbwmn8 For me the #1 thing is to actually engage with the other side. Just talking about things amongst ourselves will never get things changed. And when you talk to them make sure you go in with an open mind. Sometimes they have good points just like we do. Nothing will ever change if we do not reach out and just; as Cenk says “Stay in our bubble”. I can’t stay in our bubble; I live in Kentucky LOL
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Whatever discussion happens, be it a debate, panel or summit, I’d love it if people refrained from talking over one another. Even on TYT, it irks me because that approach minimizes listening and can reward the loudest voice or boldest personality. And I’ve seen a 3-person panel get confusing, especially when they seemed to be saying similar things. That sort of conversation can feel like a continuation of a “behind the scenes” discussion as opposed to one meant for the actual audience. Jordan Uhl could make a great moderator, I think, if not a panelist himself.
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We actually have a rule over in TYT Discord when we are in the Voice Channels playing some games and just BSing; that if you start to talk over others you get a 60 second Time-Out and can’t speak or even type for that time and it can increase up to a week. And the discussion can get pretty good in there as far as politics and other stuff
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I’m so sorry to hear that a family member is dying. My heart goes to you. Please let me know if you need to talk or anything. 
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Honest question. Is he totally wrong?
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I haven’t been able to watch the shows much because of school, but when I do it’s frustrating and disheartening. There’s so much fighting, yelling, chiding, and insulting. I don’t want any side insulted, whether I’m on it or not. (Like being called a loser in Ana’s Substack post for having issues with family members who voted for Trump and considering cutting some people off.) I’m too old to deal with middle school shit. Cenk needs to quit bullying people because he’s better than that and bullying is bullshit. Like with the keys guy–he’s an old man, leave him alone! And quit with the name-calling and insulting of ideas. For example, I understand identity politics because not everyone has had a history (or present for that matter) of being represented and treated fairly, and we need to see more than a sea of old-man Clorox in governmental positions. With Ana, well she needs to get back to facts, figures, and honesty, and to seriously get over her whining. People were mean to her when she needed them, and while that is awful, she is throwing the baby out with the bathwater. My God, quit tossing aside people (including viewers that she’s constantly insulting and telling to quit watching the show) like they don’t matter. She and the woman in her last podcast gave so much misinformation all I could do was laugh. And then they went on to say that the legal system is rigged against White people, which was sickening. And for all that is holy, quit being a Trump apologist. I could go on, but I want to enjoy the rest of the night with my kids and watch National Lampoons Christmas Vacation. I hope you are all doing well.
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Absolutely^. I don’t know what the other commenters here are hearing when they watch TYT. (Maybe part of the problem is YouTube? I have always and only listened to TYT, MR, Chapo, etc. These shows are best thought of as podcasts, IMO. No algorithm to feed you the next video peddling the drama.)
But the idea that TYT is being attacked out of nowhere blows my mind. Cenk and Ana went on the offense against other progressive voices and against core parts of their audience (like me) at least 2 years ago. Ana yells at us, condescends to us, and makes us into caricatures who she and Cenk can then bash.
When Ana says she is trying to be a unifier for all voices across the political spectrum, I can only laugh since it sure doesn’t feel like she’s being open-hearted and charitable toward audience members like me. I agree with the advice not to spit in right-wingers faces; but when they’re being more respected and welcomed into the fold than long-time progressive listeners, sorry if I’m not sympathetic to TYT in the drama they weirdly decided to ramp up.
[Btw, to the person who objects to the descriptor “progressive” above, just know the same debasement and obfuscation was done to “liberal” decades ago mostly by right-wing propagandists. Abandoning language we use to describe ourselves just plays into the agenda of those helping to sow disunity among the left.]
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I liked the video so much I wanted to make sure, should someone not watch it, they could still benefit from its key points:
Distilled Key Points and Actions from “The Political Spectrum is a Myth”:
Key Takeaways:
-
Origins of the Left-Right Spectrum:
- It originated during the French Revolution, where pro-revolutionaries sat on the left and anti-revolutionaries on the right of the assembly hall.
- This arbitrary seating arrangement evolved into a dominant framework for categorizing political ideologies.
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Flaws in the Left-Right Spectrum:
- No Fixed Essence: Political positions do not inherently align with a universal principle (e.g., change vs. stability).
- Historical Shifts: Policies associated with left or right have shifted over time and across contexts.
- Astrology Analogy: The spectrum oversimplifies human beliefs, akin to using astrology to explain personalities.
-
Social Theory of Politics:
- Political alignment is driven by tribalism and social conformity rather than philosophical coherence.
- People adopt political stances based on their “tribe” (family, peers, or a single-issue stance) and then conform to other beliefs associated with that tribe.
-
The Role of Media and Algorithms:
- Media and digital platforms amplify tribalism by aligning news and opinions along the left-right divide, discouraging nuanced thinking.
Actionable Steps:
-
Be Specific:
- Avoid labeling people or ideas as left or right. Use precise descriptions of positions (e.g., “supports wealth tax” vs. “communist”).
-
Embrace Disagreement:
- Engage respectfully with people who hold differing views. Disagreement fosters critical thinking and smarter decision-making.
-
Consume Less News:
- Avoid constant engagement with tribal media and focus on meaningful, self-selected battles. Withdraw attention from divisive content to encourage independent thought.
-
Promote Independent Thinking:
- Resist tribal pressures and question simplified narratives or models (e.g., GAL-TAN or traditional political spectrums).
-
Support Constructive Content:
- Amplify voices and creators that challenge tribalism and promote nuanced political discussion (e.g., subscribe to and share independent creators like Andres Acevedo).
By rejecting the oversimplified left-right dichotomy and focusing on specific issues, constructive dialogue, and self-awareness, individuals can foster a healthier, more nuanced political culture.
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I love what you said about stepping out of our bubbles, @Galphar. It’s not easy to engage with people who hold very different views, especially in a place like Kentucky—props to you for doing that! How do you approach those conversations? I’d love to hear any tips you have on staying open-minded while still standing firm on the core values that matter most.
Your Discord rules sound like such a solid approach—structured but still fair. Have you noticed them making a difference in how people talk to each other over time? I wonder if something like that could work in broader TYT spaces, maybe even for comment moderation.
And @chrisneedshope, the overtalking drives me up the wall too! (It drove Sarah Longwell up the wall too.) A good moderator like Jordan Uhl would definitely make a difference. Have you ever seen panels or debates where the format really worked? I’d love to see TYT try something like structured debates with a clear focus on respectful, thoughtful points.
@drea_m_r_76, I feel where you’re coming from about tone. It’s frustrating when critique feels more dismissive than constructive. TYT has such an important platform, and it would be amazing if they leaned more into a balance of solid facts and openness to their audience’s concerns. Have you seen other outlets doing this better?
Finally, @cbickle, you hit on something so important. TYT needs to feel like a home base for long-time progressives—not a place where anyone feels alienated. What do you think would help rebuild trust with viewers like you? TYT has done so much good, and I’d hate to see their core audience feel left out of the equation.
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Thank you. It would certainly help if the hosts could be as gracious as your response is.
It seems that Cenk and Ana are so emotionally charged (personality-wise,) any criticism strikes them as full frontal attacks. So they lash out, even at those of us who have been, and would like to be again, allies. The problem is, their assaults are so over-the-top and generalizations so sweeping, they’re now burning bridges even to members of their core audience. I’m stubborn, so I’ll keep listening. But I bet a huge number of their former members already left.
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As a follow up, here’s an example of what I mean. During last week’s post-game in which they ripped into the Majority Report, Cenk and Ana repeatedly claimed Sam and Emma did nothing but shamelessly praise Dem establishment politicians. Cenk, as he so often does, went into caricature mode, pretending to be the MR hosts and creating dialog for them along the lines of fawning applause for everything Harris and Dem leadership does. It was a ridiculous display.
If you watch/listen to MR daily (as I do and have for as long as I have TYT,) you know that Sam and Emma were simply more focused on the threat a second Trump term presented. They had no illusions about how inadequate Dems have been and how disappointing they’d likely continue to be. But full authoritarian control of our government would be devastating, and for many people existentially so. In a nutshell, this was the thrust of their election coverage. I found it far more sober and nuanced than the relentless, emotionally-charged, hyperbolic skewering of the Dem Party on TYT in the two years leading up to the vote, especially since the only alternative to the admittedly aggravating-in-the-extreme Democrats, is rule by literal monsters.
So when Cenk and Ana attack MR so viciously without regard for the fact that at least at one point they shared audiences, I can’t help but feel they’re also attacking me. And I suppose they are. It sure feels like it at least.
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I wanted to share this recent interview with Jayar Jackson that dives into some of the challenges and opportunities TYT faces, particularly in the current media landscape and political climate. Jayar reflects on the value of engaging across ideological divides, maintaining authenticity, and navigating the pressures of audience expectations—all of which tie closely to the discussions we’ve been having here about progressive unity and constructive criticism.
Key points from the video:
- Building Bridges Without Compromising Values: Jayar highlights TYT’s approach to engaging conservatives on shared issues like cutting Pentagon spending or pardoning whistleblowers, emphasizing that this is about coalition-building, not compromising progressive principles.
- Addressing Criticism: The conversation also touches on how independent media can resist falling into the trap of performative regulation—where purity tests and gatekeeping undermine collaboration and growth.
- Adapting in a Challenging Media Landscape: With platforms prioritizing sensationalism, TYT’s strategy of blending authenticity with pragmatism serves as a model for balancing audience engagement and journalistic integrity.
This interview feels especially relevant given our ongoing conversations about navigating internal progressive disagreements while staying focused on larger goals like fighting fascism and pushing for systemic change. It also connects with the idea of fostering nuanced dialogue within the progressive movement, which many of us have advocated for here.
You can watch the full interview here: Jayar Jackson ANNOUNCES Path Forward for TYT and the Left! - YouTube.
What are your thoughts on the points Jayar raises?
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Thank you for your thoughtful comments. I think one important thing to consider is that while TYT and The Majority Report have distinct styles and priorities, their end goals are closely aligned. MR’s focus on addressing the existential threat of a second Trump term and TYT’s emphasis on pushing for systemic change aren’t at odds—they’re complementary strategies that can work in tandem.
From my perspective, Cenk and Ana weren’t dismissing The Majority Report’s broader stance or audience but expressing frustration after what they perceived as ongoing criticism directed at them. While their tone may have come across as exaggerated or emotionally charged, I think it stemmed from feeling unfairly attacked over a long period of time. It’s worth considering how this context might have influenced their response.
As you mentioned, caricature and generalizations don’t help; instead, they can alienate viewers and deepen divides. It would be far more powerful to see TYT and MR acknowledge their shared goals and amplify each other’s work when they align. Imagine how much stronger the progressive message could be if these platforms focused on complementing, rather than critiquing, each other.
TYT and MR each play indispensable roles in the progressive ecosystem—one highlights the immediate stakes of authoritarianism, while the other works to expose and address systemic barriers to long-term change. By recognizing the value in each other’s approaches, they could provide a more unified and effective counter to the challenges we all face.
What do you think are the best ways for TYT and MR to build on their shared goals? Would a direct dialogue between the two help clarify misunderstandings and showcase their complementary strengths?
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Thanks for sharing this, @burtsplurt. You’re spot on that the term ‘progressive’ often comes with stereotypes, even though it’s rooted in values like justice and human progress—ideas many people support when stripped of labels. Policies framed without these labels do tend to resonate more broadly. TYT’s effort to engage diverse audiences reflects this, finding common ground across divides.
Renaming a movement might help, but it’s a tall order in a two-party system. Maybe the bigger challenge is reframing what ‘progressive’ means to people. Have you seen examples of messaging or strategies that successfully shift perceptions like this?
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Thanks for the clarity, @tonymac52. Your critique categories really highlight the dynamics at play. Engaging with bad-faith actors just drains our energy; they totally thrive on the attention.
The issue with fearful progressives is super important. Their mistrust comes from past letdowns, so your empathetic approach and focus on TYT’s integrity are crucial for building bridges.
About Mondale, I’m hoping we can ease the tensions. Miscommunication can definitely blow things up, but TYT’s resilience shows just how strong progressives can be.
What are some good ways to re-engage those fearful progressives and help restore trust? Any interesting takeaways from the town halls?
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All so very true.
Gosh the best thing i can come up with is from the japanese manga “naruto” with a quote “between those who have experienced the same pain, there can be no hate”
Maybe a party literally called “the poor peoples party”
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There is the Working Families Party.
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I haven’t looked at any of Ana’s Substack content, so I can’t really comment on that. All I can say is, you are far from being a loser. You have great ideas and communicate them well. You are also one of the kindest people I have ever engaged with. Anyone who calls you a loser can “go do one”, as my British friends like to say.
As for Ana’s TYT content, I know she can be a bit much. To be fair to her though, I think there is more to it than you may realize. She has been attacked non-stop for at least 2 or 3 years now. I say “at least” because that’s how long ago I became aware of it. When she talks about “purity tests” among some on the Left, she isn’t exaggerating. Ana has been championing progressive policies since 2007, but anytime she shares an opinion that differs from the “norm”, the critics come out of the woodwork. They don’t engage in good faith. They pile on to attack her, personally and relentlessly. What you see is more than just the response to how they attacked her after she was sexually assaulted. It goes way further than that. Does she go too far? Sometimes. But every time she comes on the show, you can bet she has spent at least part of the previous 24 hours fending off these attacks. I recently saw a post from her. I don’t remember what platform it was on, but it was heartbreaking. Someone was launching a typical attack, and her response was something to the effect of 'You guys have won. Why are you still attacking me?" She didn’t explain what she meant, but I my guess is she was alluding to the fact that their efforts have managed to turn a good deal of the left against her, including some whom she once considered friends.
As for the professor, I have little sympathy. I watched every minute of Cenk’s interview with him on TYT, as well as extended clips from that Piers Morgan panel. In my opinion, he initiated the hostilities on both occasions. The clip that usually gets shown starts with Cenk’s response, making it look like he was the instigator. He was not. That being said, when he heard about the professor’s depression, how the establishment media exploited, then abandoned him, he showed empathy.
Don’t get me wrong. Both Cenk and Ana get on my nerves at times. But you know who else does? My wife, my kids, my friends. And I definitely get on theirs. But we’re not on TV, so it doesn’t get magnified and blown out of proportion.
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Oops! I forgot to ask. What kind of classes are you taking? I’m an old fart who’s been out of school for a few decades, but now that I’m retired, I might look into taking a few courses, just for fun.
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