Hello Familia - Welcome to Vol. 14 of Move Fast, Think Slow.
As someone who has spent many hours helping companies make things that connect with human heartstrings and are designed to persuade, I’m endlessly fascinated by what makes the American audience tick.
That’s why today I’ll share an interview Ezra Klein hosts with Sean Illing that opens up a rich conversation on American media, innovative media communications, and the modern political culture. I’ve been thinking about America at large and the success of WWE storytelling. And realized that this interview was actually tied to WWE and Top Gun: Maverick, the sequel to Top Gun that I got to see on the big screen last week. Disparate dots that are all connected.
Also, you can wash that down with some pro-tips. First, a dynamic up-and-coming Gen-Z economist, and second, a BBC interview from the archives with the musical genius Little Richard.
For new readers of Move Fast Think Slow a quick sidebar. The tl;dr here is we cover trends bubbling up to the surface within culture (and business). And focus a bit on meditations of the mind. Recently I’ve shined a light on the art of living slow and ancient-wise philosophy of stoicism. In these wild times, it’s worth slowing down as much as possible. After all, life’s about riding the wave - am I right? 🏄🤙If you find this chili to be tasty then you might want to subscribe here! 🤗 👇
Brand America Part I | Media Theory and what makes Americans tick
This Ezra Klein interview with Sean Illing, a “mid-century media theorist who saw what was coming” is flat out awesome. It opens up talking about Marshall McLuhan and Neil Postman, two brilliant gents with some smart takes on media and culture. Both have been heavy influences of mine so I was pumped when I heard Sean’s new book was rooted in their thinking. If you’re curious about political culture, media, and how new communication channels create opportunities to recreate shared realities then you should dive into the interview (even though it’s not an easy listen lols).
What I appreciated was the analysis of how DJT/2016 happened. What tropes and tricks he leaned into. I find this endlessly fascinating because no matter if you like it or not, he won. And he won being unabashedly himself.
Sean cites that the technology communication trends that’s shifted the discourse of the country are also historically following a trend. What is illuminating is in their research uncovers that in every historical period of new communications innovations, nefarious actors come along and leverage the new communication tools to challenge the culture at large. And often this puts pressure on the core tenants of Democracy.
What fascinates me about Trump’s speech/storytelling ethos and how it worked on an American audience. An audience hungry for fighters. I've long been curious by this connection (and insight) Trump had on embedding himself and adopting the WWE fighter mentality. This has been covered a lot over the years. That fighting spirit. Creating a clear enemy. A willingness to do whatever it takes to crush said enemy. Americans love to see that confidence, that clarity, and a willingness to fight.
WWE is a multi-billion dollar and multi-million fan enterprise. They have a juggernaut off of these tropes and the made-up characters doing acrobatics in between all the tough talk. The foregone conclusion is fictional stories of men and women bashing each other prints money. People love it. And it means Americans on some level, want to see a fight. See also the rise of UFC. Americans want to see the shit talking. They want to see the swagger that says I’m above it all and I’m going to fight you and win. Even if the thing is a nebulous enemy that’s completely made up and fictional.
Why does it work? Why does the audience have that appetite? Why is it so pleasing? Do those trying to lead and who want to break through the need to co-adopt these tropes in order to be heard? Do these volatile/feisty story tropes play best on the Cable TV to social newsfeed cycle? Can one leverage these tried and true tropes but do some good for the long-term?
Brand America Part II | The Wisdom of Top Gun: Maverick
Last Friday I finally had a chance to go see Top Gun: Maverick. The record-breaking sequel to the original 1986 Top Gun. The same Top Gun that sprung Tom Cruise into international stardom. I kept hearing people say the film was great. Can’t lie. I was shocked to hear it. Doing a sequel to what was one of the greatest blockbuster films of all time is no small feat. I was very curious to see how Tom and crew accomplished such a huge win.
In short, the film is a gigantic “call back” and it doesn’t disappoint. The original 1986 film is so f$%*ing iconic in the first place that just re-creating and re-mixing the scenes, sounds, and sequences still pops. The mini-film history lesson for those that don’t know or realize is the 1986 Top Gun isn’t just a film hit. It was a part of a paradigm shift in high-octane blockbuster filmmaking. Spearheaded by visionary director Tony Scott, Producers Don Simpson, and Jerry Bruckheimer. I’d go as far to say that all the Marvel films you love so much wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Top Gun establishing a new baseline in Action-filmmaking / storytelling.
But what puts this whole thing over the top is the exceptionally written script. It made for rich characters that had enough depth but not too much to spoil the fun. It set up great set pieces as well as scenes with some heart. And this story has a lot of heart. They even found a way to weave Ice Man (Val Kilmer) into the heart of the story which was powerful.
Then there’s Tom. Say what you will about this mad genius but one thing is certain - he is an amazing filmmaker and a one-of-a-kind big screen actor. He stretches into the role of Maverick in a way only he can. The film quickly re-immerses us into his world. The rebel with a cause. A little bit too dangerous. Bends the rules a little bit too much. His higher-ups don’t want him. But he’s just too damn good at what he does.
America. Loves. This. Archetype. The cowboy. This fantasy of you can get away with it as long as you’re amazing at what you do and good looking to boot. It’s a classic American story trope. And you know what? It puts butts into seats. Big time. And not just in America, but across the world. The film has garnered $1.3B worldwide, a nearly 50/50 split between Domestic and International markets and it’s still in theaters. Establishing itself firmly as the #13 highest-grossing film of all time.
There’s a lot to analyze within the various iconography, set pieces, and scenes of Top Gun: Maverick. It drips red, white, and blue with classic Americana elements straight out of a Norman Rockwell-like painting with a little bit of classic rock n’roll sprinkled in between.
Net-net, I think Tom wanted to write a love note to America based on his most iconic film. And you know what. It’s a really nice note.
Pro-tip: Go subscribe to Kyla Scanton's newsletter and thank me later
Klya’s video popped into my feed and I remember thinking her video on Fed’s Jerome Powell’s updates was kind of hysterical. And then I discovered Kyla is a serious brainiac with a sick economic newsletter. She does great research and delivers analysis with wit and humor that has all the LOLs. Gen-Z does economic news/trends with humor? Here for it.
And just this last weekend, Kyla had an Op-Ed in NY Times on the vibes-cession. Like much of her work overall I found the read to be illuminating and more accessible than much of the economic analysis you see out there. And just like us at Move Fast, Think Slow she too wonders how new technologies are impacting us as humans and the need to live slow. Keep the 🔥✍️ coming Kyla! 🤗 🙏
They don't make them like this anymore
I say that to both the legendary Little Richard level and the interview style. Little Richard was wonderfully talented. A hit maker from day 1. And an outrageously creatively fierce soul. Give the below a listen for some music history and life inspo.
Photo of the week
This. All of this. 🥵🥵🥵
P.S. If you have never seen ☝️this☝️ film called Sexy Beast. It’s worth a see. Really good acting. Very good writing.
Stay safe out there.
- Mitch