Skip to content
By using Twitter’s services you agree to our Cookies Use. We and our partners operate globally and use cookies, including for analytics, personalisation, and ads.
  • Home Home Home, current page.
  • About

Saved searches

  • Remove
  • In this conversation
    Verified accountProtected Tweets @
Suggested users
  • Verified accountProtected Tweets @
  • Verified accountProtected Tweets @
  • Language: English
    • Bahasa Indonesia
    • Bahasa Melayu
    • Català
    • Čeština
    • Dansk
    • Deutsch
    • English UK
    • Español
    • Filipino
    • Français
    • Hrvatski
    • Italiano
    • Magyar
    • Nederlands
    • Norsk
    • Polski
    • Português
    • Română
    • Slovenčina
    • Suomi
    • Svenska
    • Tiếng Việt
    • Türkçe
    • Ελληνικά
    • Български език
    • Русский
    • Српски
    • Українська мова
    • עִבְרִית
    • العربية
    • فارسی
    • मराठी
    • हिन्दी
    • বাংলা
    • ગુજરાતી
    • தமிழ்
    • ಕನ್ನಡ
    • ภาษาไทย
    • 한국어
    • 日本語
    • 简体中文
    • 繁體中文
  • Have an account? Log in
    Have an account?
    · Forgot password?

    New to Twitter?
    Sign up
vgr's profile
Venkatesh Rao
Venkatesh Rao
Venkatesh Rao
@vgr

Tweets

Venkatesh Rao

@vgr

Conversational account. For work follow @ribbonfarm, @breaking_smart, @artofgig. Tweets are 90% vacuous views, apathetically held. Mediocritopian. IKEA builder.

Los Angeles, CA
venkateshrao.com
Joined August 2007

Tweets

  • © 2020 Twitter
  • About
  • Help Center
  • Terms
  • Privacy policy
  • Imprint
  • Cookies
  • Ads info
Dismiss
Previous
Next

Go to a person's profile

Saved searches

  • Remove
  • In this conversation
    Verified accountProtected Tweets @
Suggested users
  • Verified accountProtected Tweets @
  • Verified accountProtected Tweets @

Promote this Tweet

Block

  • Tweet with a location

    You can add location information to your Tweets, such as your city or precise location, from the web and via third-party applications. You always have the option to delete your Tweet location history. Learn more

    Your lists

    Create a new list


    Under 100 characters, optional

    Privacy

    Copy link to Tweet

    Embed this Tweet

    Embed this Video

    Add this Tweet to your website by copying the code below. Learn more

    Add this video to your website by copying the code below. Learn more

    Hmm, there was a problem reaching the server.

    By embedding Twitter content in your website or app, you are agreeing to the Twitter Developer Agreement and Developer Policy.

    Preview

    Why you're seeing this ad

    Log in to Twitter

    · Forgot password?
    Don't have an account? Sign up »

    Sign up for Twitter

    Not on Twitter? Sign up, tune into the things you care about, and get updates as they happen.

    Sign up
    Have an account? Log in »

    Two-way (sending and receiving) short codes:

    Country Code For customers of
    United States 40404 (any)
    Canada 21212 (any)
    United Kingdom 86444 Vodafone, Orange, 3, O2
    Brazil 40404 Nextel, TIM
    Haiti 40404 Digicel, Voila
    Ireland 51210 Vodafone, O2
    India 53000 Bharti Airtel, Videocon, Reliance
    Indonesia 89887 AXIS, 3, Telkomsel, Indosat, XL Axiata
    Italy 4880804 Wind
    3424486444 Vodafone
    » See SMS short codes for other countries

    Confirmation

     

    Welcome home!

    This timeline is where you’ll spend most of your time, getting instant updates about what matters to you.

    Tweets not working for you?

    Hover over the profile pic and click the Following button to unfollow any account.

    Say a lot with a little

    When you see a Tweet you love, tap the heart — it lets the person who wrote it know you shared the love.

    Spread the word

    The fastest way to share someone else’s Tweet with your followers is with a Retweet. Tap the icon to send it instantly.

    Join the conversation

    Add your thoughts about any Tweet with a Reply. Find a topic you’re passionate about, and jump right in.

    Learn the latest

    Get instant insight into what people are talking about now.

    Get more of what you love

    Follow more accounts to get instant updates about topics you care about.

    Find what's happening

    See the latest conversations about any topic instantly.

    Never miss a Moment

    Catch up instantly on the best stories happening as they unfold.

    1. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
      • Report Tweet
      • Report NetzDG Violation

      sigh this is going to be the inequality election

      5 replies 6 retweets 67 likes
      Show this thread
    2. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
      • Report Tweet
      • Report NetzDG Violation

      The gods of impossible problems drew cards in 2014 and decided to go in low-to-high order. Traumatized whiteness in 2016, middle class precarity in 2020, climate in 2024. 3-act tragedy. No problem actually solved. Just 3 groups of people allowed their scream-to-be-seen turns.

      2 replies 5 retweets 66 likes
      Show this thread
      Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
      • Report Tweet
      • Report NetzDG Violation

      One reason big problems rarely actually get solved is that most people are easily bought off by being given an opportunity to be seen/heard as having the problem. Not only are they satisfied with the recognition, they resist actual solutions because the problem is their identity.

      8:28 AM - 11 Nov 2019
      • 19 Retweets
      • 98 Likes
      • gm Apoorv Singh ale Thomas Sankara SIFF Capital Rita Elodes 💪💝 Haeli05 helen flynn germain (505/1k songs)
      4 replies 19 retweets 98 likes
        1. New conversation
        2. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          These problems are not solvable. Only crashable. As in a Flight 93 takeover and crashing of the institutions seen (mostly incorrectly) as responsible, without better ones ready to fill the vacuum, and without regard to actual functions. So in each case “now you have 2 problems.”

          3 replies 1 retweet 24 likes
          Show this thread
        3. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          It’s like how in riots over any issue, small businesses get looted because they are visible targets that vaguely rhyme with the obscure root causes of whatever is angrying up the mob. 2016-28 is going to be “riot democracy” with the vote being about “who gets to loot next?”

          2 replies 2 retweets 33 likes
          Show this thread
        4. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          A tale of 3 democracy riots 2016: Traumatized whiteness = “nationalism” = loot elite and impersonal state institutions 2020: Traumatized precariat = “inequality” = loot market institutions and large corps of the Buyback 500 2024: Traumatized planet = “climate change” = loot ?

          6 replies 0 retweets 29 likes
          Show this thread
        5. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          In 2016, clueless institutional elites like me had NO idea how much disaffected whites were directing (however inappropriately) their hulk-smash energy towards us. In many cases targeting institutions they weren’t aware they were dependent on. 2020 = clueless billionaires.

          2 replies 4 retweets 31 likes
          Show this thread
        6. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          They think it’s about defeating Warren the way we thought it was about defeating Trump. They think “reasonable” explanations pointing out how their mental models are misframed and the anger misdirected will defuse the anger just as in 2016.

          2 replies 0 retweets 18 likes
          Show this thread
        7. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          In 2016 we clung to stories about how “America was already great” and global prosperity that simply weren’t believed by activated crowd. In 2020 they cling to stories about historic stock market highs and low unemployment that simply aren’t being believed by activated crowd.

          3 replies 0 retweets 21 likes
          Show this thread
        8. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          In 2016 elites didn’t realize the extent to which opioid crisis had become the rallying symbol of anger, whatever its actual importance in the larger scheme of things. In 2020 the wealthy aren’t realizing the extent to which housing/urban blight have become the rallying symbol

          2 replies 2 retweets 27 likes
          Show this thread
        9. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          The “enemy” in the inequality riots election is a Venn diagram of 3 parties: billionaires, urban NIMBYs in high value geographies, and stock-owning class that has seen nominal wealth balloon from QE-buyback loop. Warren and Yang are the paladins vying to represent the anger.

          2 replies 0 retweets 22 likes
          Show this thread
        10. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          I don’t think Bernie strikes the right note in representing the anger. His message is too big-tent dilutive of inequality. But even if both lose and a more wealth-friendly candidate (Trump or one of the other Democrats) wins, the anger energy will define 2020-24.

          5 replies 0 retweets 11 likes
          Show this thread
        11. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          In fact I think that’s the likely outcome. Traumatized whiteness had the strong tailwind of electoral college mechanics to make itself heard and let off steam at White House level. Traumatized urban precariat has a strong headwind in the same department. This is bad news.

          2 replies 0 retweets 10 likes
          Show this thread
        12. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          Why? Because if it can’t find electorally legitimate (module Russia) expression it feels is proportionate to energy, you’ll get more chaotic riots not less. Think Hong Kong.

          1 reply 0 retweets 11 likes
          Show this thread
        13. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          I’ve now heard multiple very wealthy people (n ~ 6) argue that inequality is a misframing and wealthsplain the “real problem” to me. They’re missing the point. If enough people believe “inequality” is the right framing, it will prevail and direct the anger energy.

          2 replies 1 retweet 36 likes
          Show this thread
        14. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          I think they all sincerely believe in some sort of “approximate meritocracy and Darwinian competition” folk theory, where even if they are compassionate rather than contemptuous towards precariat, they think it’s the only way the world can work. They’re TINA theorists.

          2 replies 0 retweets 15 likes
          Show this thread
        15. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          Effectively they’ve used the failure of 1910s vintage communism to convince themselves aggregate low-wealth political interests is not a contender at all in the Darwinian political arena, except in extremist Venezuelan form which of course can’t happen here.

          1 reply 0 retweets 18 likes
          Show this thread
        16. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          Just like in 2016, institutional elites had concluded that of course illiberalism had been permanently falsified in 1933 and ethnonationalosts couldn’t aggregate into political contenders at all, except in extremist Greece/Italy form which of course couldn’t happen here.

          2 replies 0 retweets 11 likes
          Show this thread
        17. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          Initially I thought healthcare would be the rallying symbol. But now I think the angries are young and healthy enough that they feel the pain of high rents far more than the cost of healthcare. Many are even choosing to live dangerously without health insurance.

          2 replies 0 retweets 24 likes
          Show this thread
        18. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          In general, in all these democracy riots, the systematic political miscalculation is believing live players to be dead players. Weakening players are not dead players and dead players are not extinct players. There are downcycling weapons-of-the-weak available at every stage down

          1 reply 0 retweets 21 likes
          Show this thread
        19. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          Live player/dead player is a choice to act with agency *in whatever form it is available to you*. So weak live players band together in collective action tactics as they weaken. Disenfranchised players band together in civil disobedience actions as they weaken. Etc.

          1 reply 0 retweets 9 likes
          Show this thread
        20. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          No sufficiently large constituency ever just lays down and meekly dies just because more powerful players have declared them terminal losers marked for extinction. There's always a subset willing to fight to bitter end, for at least delivering a bloody nose to the "winners".

          3 replies 1 retweet 21 likes
          Show this thread
        21. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          It's like that trope in horror movies or thrillers where the beast/villain is down for the count, but with the last breath of life, grabs the hero by the ankle and drags him down too. gandalfbalrog.gif

          1 reply 0 retweets 10 likes
          Show this thread
        22. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          A couple more points. There's an arc to this 3 act story with 2 dimensions. Shifting focus and downward devolution in abstraction level of the discourse.

          1 reply 0 retweets 6 likes
          Show this thread
        23. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          Shifting focus: Act 1 = culture war Act 2 = class war Act 3 = technological war.

          1 reply 0 retweets 7 likes
          Show this thread
        24. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          Downward devolution: Act 1 = war of ideas/ideologies (vote with words, virtue signals) Act 2 = war of economic trends (vote with dollars, economic signals) Act 3 = war of material trends (vote with lifestyle choices/designs)

          1 reply 0 retweets 9 likes
          Show this thread
        25. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          Harambe inaugurated Act 1 with a nihilistic null signals, a skip-to-the-end doomerism around discourses that were already visibly futile Ok boomer is inaugurating Act 2 by explicitly disengaging from the idea-level discourse and says "see you in the ballot box/market/court"

          1 reply 0 retweets 9 likes
          Show this thread
        26. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          My Harambe article from 2016 where I first used the term "Great Weirding"https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/harambe-the-perfect-meme/498743/ …

          2 replies 0 retweets 7 likes
          Show this thread
        27. This Tweet is unavailable.
        28. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          Simpler version of the whole story: 2016: Vote with memes 2020: Vote with dollars 2024: Vote with feet This is assuming the core 3 tragic problems remain unsolved and nobody sees any net increase in agency/imagination.

          1 reply 0 retweets 10 likes
          Show this thread
        29. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          In 3 years it's obvious that traumatized whiteness has not actually been solved by Trumpism. It's just handed out some palliative care in the form of twitter owns. In the next year, that will "settle" into a permaweird limbo equilibrium, kinda like Richard Spencer.

          1 reply 0 retweets 9 likes
          Show this thread
        30. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          In the 4 years, best case for traumatized precarity is that Warren will try and fail to deliver medicare for all, trust busting, or student loan forgiveness or UBI or anything. And the precariat will start abandoning urban economies for remote work economies.

          2 replies 1 retweet 9 likes
          Show this thread
        31. Venkatesh Rao‏ @vgr 11 Nov 2019
          • Report Tweet
          • Report NetzDG Violation

          That will trigger Act 3, the technological vote-with-feet/lifestyle choice era. There is big mood in favor of abandoning increasingly unlivable metros, but people so far don't feel the pain enough to act on *communal* out-migration fantasies. Only individual/family trickles-outs.

          1 reply 0 retweets 11 likes
          Show this thread
        32. Show replies

      Loading seems to be taking a while.

      Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.

        Promoted Tweet

        false

        • © 2020 Twitter
        • About
        • Help Center
        • Terms
        • Privacy policy
        • Imprint
        • Cookies
        • Ads info