Ep. 1046 - Capitalism Eats Wokeness

Episode Summary

Executive Summary: The episode argues that modern “woke” activism has become a profitable racket: Colin Kaepernick, diversity trainers, media figures, and corporations monetize narratives about racism while ignoring or minimizing real-world harms like rising inner-city violence. It also critiques Trump’s Twitter distractions and discusses COVID-19 data, claiming deaths are decoupling from cases and media panic is overstated.

Main Topics: Colin Kaepernick as a commercialized symbol of wokeness: Shapiro frames Kaepernick’s Disney/ESPN deal and prior Nike partnership as proof that anti-American rhetoric is monetized once it becomes marketable, arguing the activism has shifted from cause to business. Wokeness as a business model and racket: The episode repeatedly invokes Eric Hoffer’s idea that causes become businesses and then rackets, applying it to activists, media personalities, and corporate diversity initiatives. Seattle diversity training and corporate anti-racism culture: Shapiro uses Seattle’s diversity materials as an example of cult-like, taxpayer-funded training that reinforces guilt and grievance rather than solving discrimination. Monuments, Thomas Jefferson, and incentive-driven identity politics: He criticizes a New York Times op-ed by a Jefferson descendant calling for the Jefferson Memorial’s removal, arguing woke status and publication opportunities reward anti-American narratives. Crime surge and the failure of defund-the-police politics: The episode links Black Lives Matter activism and anti-police rhetoric to rising violent crime in major cities, especially harming black and brown residents. Don Lemon, Black Lives Matter, and narrative control: Shapiro argues Don Lemon narrows BLM to police brutality while refusing to confront black-on-black crime, showing the movement is used selectively to preserve a preferred narrative. COVID-19 case surges, media panic, and uncertainty about deaths: The latter part reviews rising case counts in states like Florida, Texas, and Arizona, arguing deaths and hospitalizations are not rising proportionally and media coverage is overstating the danger.

Key Arguments: Kaepernick and similar figures profit from portraying America as racist; the incentive structure turns activism into a lucrative brand. Corporate America often adopts woke messaging not from principle but to avoid lawsuits, boycotts, or reputational pressure. Diversity training often functions as legal/PR shielding rather than meaningful organizational change. The Jefferson Memorial debate illustrates how woke credentials and ancestry can be converted into media visibility and status. Rising violent crime in major cities is portrayed as a direct consequence of anti-police sentiment and weakened law enforcement. The people most harmed by urban crime are disproportionately black residents, which the media and activists allegedly ignore. Black Lives Matter, as presented by media figures, selectively counts some black lives and excludes black-on-black violence from the conversation. Trump’s Mount Rushmore speech was undermined by his own Twitter fixation on side issues like Bubba Wallace and sports team names. COVID case growth does not yet show the same fatality or hospitalization patterns as earlier waves, so panic is premature. Media narratives on both race and COVID are said to prioritize political framing over facts and outcomes.

Data Points: Colin Kaepernick Disney/ESPN deal: exclusive docu-series and first-look partnership - Used as evidence that anti-racist branding is now highly monetizable Apple Podcasts reviews goal: almost 100,000 five-star reviews - Introductory promotional segment Seattle diversity training fee: $16,000 - Referenced as an example of expensive corporate diversity consulting New York City murders (first 6 months of 2020): 176 - Reported by NYPD; up 23% from 143 last year NYC shooting victims increase: 616 victims, up 51% - Used to support claim of rising urban violence NYC June shootings: 250 shootings vs. 97 last year - June month-over-month comparison NYC burglaries: up 119% - Mentioned as part of the city crime surge NYC car thefts: up 48% - Another indicator of worsening crime Chicago July 4 weekend gunfire victims: at least 67 - Illustrates severe holiday violence in Chicago Chicago July 4 weekend deaths: 13 killed - Included in the discussion of urban violence Chicago minors shot during weekend: 9 victims were minors - Shows impact on children and teens Philadelphia shootings: up 67% - Cited as another city with rising violence Philadelphia armed violence victims: up 29% - Part of the same crime trend Philadelphia homicides: up 25% - Further evidence of urban crime increase Atlanta National Guard deployment: 1,000 troops - Georgia governor’s response to unrest and violence Fourth of July weekend shootings in New York: at least 41 people hit by gunfire - Used to highlight holiday violence COVID deaths in the U.S. (reported Monday vs previous Monday): 378 vs. 366 - Used to argue deaths were roughly flat despite case growth Florida youth case fatality claim: near zero for age 21 without major comorbidities - DeSantis’s argument for reopening schools Miami-Dade official case estimate: likely undercounted by a factor of 10 - Miami mayor suggests far more infections than confirmed cases

Pivotal Quotes: "every great cause begins as a movement, becomes a business, and eventually degenerates into a racket." — Ben Shapiro: Used to frame Kaepernick, diversity training, and BLM as monetized activism "I am excited for this partnership with Disney across all of its platforms to elevate black and brown directors, creators, storytellers, and producers." — Colin Kaepernick: Quoted from Kaepernick’s tweet to show his activist brand coinciding with major corporate profit "Black Lives Matter is about police brutality and about criminal justice. It's not about what happens in communities when it comes to crime Black on Black crime." — Don Lemon: Used to argue Lemon narrows the movement and avoids discussing intracommunity violence

Implications: The episode argues that race politics, corporate diversity work, and media activism now reward grievance narratives even when they worsen public safety or obscure data. Listeners are urged to distrust incentive-driven messaging and focus on measurable outcomes like crime and COVID deaths.