The Triumph of the Common Man
What Impeachment, Hollywood and Davos reveal about the gap between citizens and elites
In an era of expanding globalist ideology, it may feel as if the individual has been lost to the vast powers at be. Increasingly, governments, superstars and corporations are esoteric concepts, rather than tangible assets in our world. While looking at the current impeachment trial, glimpsing into Hollywood and watching meetings of state and business, a surprising tie between these seemingly unrelated events may emerge.
Apathy towards impeachment could not be higher. According to Nielson data, only four million people tuned in to watch the Democratic opening argument. For perspective, this is one-fifth of the Kavanaugh trial viewership.
After watching over three hours of the trail, your humble columnist could not think of a more draconian punishment.
One may see these impeachment hearings as yet another ostentatious display by the ruling class that overvalues their self-worth. Selecting the president is the civic responsibility of the common citizen, not the “big wigs” in Washington, D.C. The current trial promotes the idea that members of Congress determined the people spoke incorrectly in 2016. From Congress’ position of higher intelligence, members seek to assist citizens in correcting their mistake. The American electorate will speak again in 2020, and like before, their choice will be definitive.
In Hollywood, The Golden Globes amassed a viewership of about 18 million, the lowest viewership in the past eight years. Like its fellow award shows, they have seen an extended period of decline, while inversely the movie industry at large has grown.
One may wonder why sales are up, but interest in award shows is down. One can infer viewers have grown tired of being talked down to, given award shows’ long-held reputation of actors and directors using their platform to preach their values to a captive audience. Curiously, Golden Globes host Ricky Gervais’ rebuke of this behavior resonated with a large audience. Gervais fires, “Accept your award, thank your agent and your God, and f*ck off.”
His opening monologue on YouTube, which includes the aforementioned quote, has 14 million views alone. Across different digital platforms, his chastisement of Hollywood was likely viewed more times than the award show itself. His unexpected success indicates his words meant much more than just another rant on climate change.
Across the pond, the World Economic Forum took place last week in Davos, Switzerland. A hodge-podge of the world’s richest, almost all who have directly profited by the spoils of capitalism, have their annual meet and greet to denounce capitalism. Empty talk was expected, and empty talk was received. All the big names in such empty talk were in attendance, including presidents, leaders of industry and even Greta Thunberg. New York Times Opinion Writer Tim Wu’s account is most telling.
“On the train into Davos,” Wu said, “a representative of Philip Morris told me that the company is ‘dedicated to a smoke-free future.’”
Philip Morris attempts to receive their woke points, but even the most naive understand the tobacco conglomerate has no genuine intention to slow tobacco sales.
These examples all have a common denominator. At their core, they are “elites” speaking down to the American people, pushing their sparsely followed moral code rather than listening and acting compassionately. As we will see, common people are increasingly abandoning these institutions, seeking refuge from the hypocrisy of elites.
In politics, media and economics, disconnections between elites and common folk are increasingly less tolerated. Furthermore, the offending groups are punished by the common people. In response to impeachment, the Trump re-election campaign received over $46 million in donations last quarter, dwarfing his Democratic peers.
As previously mentioned, viewers have fled from the Golden Globes in droves. As these viewers leave, advertising revenues follow. While more difficult to measure than its peers, there is an understanding Davos means increasingly little. How could one take Philip Morris’ altruism seriously after such a blatant lie?
Looking at the disrespectful action from those in positions above us, one may leave discouraged and distraught. As individuals, we do not possess the power to change these outcomes. One donation will not sway an election, nor will one less viewer affect advertising revenues. Furthermore, one person boycotting a company will do nothing to sway their decisions.
Fortunately, the common man has an outlet to fight these powers. It may be easy to forget, but these groups are beholden to the people. In mass, we have ultimate control. Without our votes, viewership and patronage, these groups cease to exist.
Washington, Hollywood and Davos may have forgotten this fact, but the common people of America have not. Despite questionable actions by those above us, the common man retains power. Even more so, he is triumphant. With his vote and his dollar, the common man will continue to empower those who will serve his interests best and punish those who do not.
Jake Souleyrette is a junior finance major and copy editor.