War Driver ☦︎

Meta confirms they plan to add tons of AI-generated users to Instagram and Facebook They will have bios, profile pics, and can share content (via @FT)

@war_driver AMERICA: TODAY IS ELECTION DAY! IF YOU HAVEN'T YET -- MAKE SURE YOU VOTE TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN. BRING YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY TOO! #VotedforTrump Reply #unsubscribe to opt-out.

I’ve seen a lot of questions about why white men—especially young white men—seem so angry, distrustful of the Democratic Party, or drawn to MAGA-ism. I've been studying this issue for awhile now and I wanted to share some thoughts. If we want to make inroads with white dudes, we need to understand what’s happening. First, economic opportunities are shrinking. Young men are struggling with stagnant wages and fewer job prospects, making it harder for them to gain independence, start families, or even feel secure in adulthood. That instability makes many susceptible to the MAGA whirlpool. Second, there’s a major education gap. Fewer men are graduating from college compared to women, which has serious consequences for their long-term economic and social stability. Kamala Harris is doing well with educated white men, but not with those who didn’t finish college. That difference impacts their prospects and feeds into larger societal issues, which is why we need to make it a lot easier for people to go to college without racking up debt. Third, we’re facing a mental health and social isolation crisis. Young men are lonelier and struggling with mental health issues at higher rates, partly fueled by social media and the erosion of traditional community institutions (churches, men’s groups, etc.). White men in America are four times more likely to commit suicide than any other group. This is a national crisis, and we’re barely talking about it. Fourth, there’s an identity crisis. Gender roles and societal expectations are shifting (which is a good thing!), and young men are left wondering where they fit in. Without positive role models, many gravitate toward toxic figures like Donald Trump, because at least someone is speaking to their frustrations—however inartfully (which is being generous). Democrats haven’t done enough to offer better alternatives, though I think we’re starting to, with people like Tim Walz, Pete Buttigieg, and Doug Emhoff stepping up as strong role models. Fifth, forming relationships—especially romantic ones—has become harder. Economic pressures and the rise of online dating have created new dynamics that are disincentivizing young men (and women, for that matter) from building meaningful connections. This only adds to their sense of isolation and fuels resentment, particularly toward women and those who are economically better off. Lastly, there's a deep cynicism and lack of trust in institutions. Many young men no longer believe the American Dream is for them, or that they have a place in a society that’s rapidly changing. The old American mythology is crumbling around them, and with it goes their belief in a stable future. That loss of trust is driving them toward more extreme solutions and making it harder for them to feel invested in collective progress. All of these factors—along with others I haven’t mentioned—are creating a perfect storm of resentment and frustration among young white men. But these issues are real and addressable. The problem is, for too long, Democrats have retreated from engaging in spaces where these men are, leaving them to only hear from one side. That’s why I’ve been pushing for @KamalaHarris to go on Joe Rogan and praising @PeteButtigieg for going on Fox News. We need to enter these spaces and have real conversations about the issues white men are facing. Will it win all of them over? No. But if we can win over even a small fraction, it makes it much harder for Trump and MAGAism to win nationally. We can’t keep acting like white men don’t have real issues. Everyone is suffering from something, and everyone deserves to have that suffering addressed by their government. If we address these issues with the same seriousness we give to other communities, we won’t win them all—but we don’t have to. We’re building a multicultural coalition to move this country forward, but we can’t ignore the real challenges young white men are facing.