Taylor Lorenz’s Power User

Taylor Lorenz

Taylor Lorenz explores how technology and the internet are upending our lives and the world around us. Each week, she explores everything from online fame to emerging platforms, viral phenomena, the creator economy, and much more. Tune in every Wednesday for regular episodes and every Friday for "Free Speech Friday," her series on tech policy and the fight for civil liberties online.

  1. HACE 1 DÍA

    White Women Are MAGA Internet's Newest Enemy

    White women have long been a core voting bloc for conservatives, so why are right wing media figures suddenly obsessed with attacking them? Support my independent journalism: 🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co    In this episode, Crooked Media Hysteria's Erin Ryan joins me to break down the growing hatred towards white women in MAGA spaces and conservative media.  From the massive hate campaigns against Amber Heard and Blake Lively, to smearing women like Renee Good during today's ICE protests in Minneapolis, to so-called "Karens" and accusations of hysteria, to the idea of "toxic empathy," we unpack why white women who step outside their assigned role have become such a powerful political target. We discuss the demonization of "Wine Moms" and "Childless Cat Ladies" in relation to the rise of the trad-wife fantasy. We explore why conservative media is obsessed with controlling white women and why this demographic is trending away from the Republican party. We also examine how these narratives are used to justify regressive policies around reproduction, education, marriage, and bodily autonomy. We discuss why scapegoating white women in particular works, why it’s so effective, and what it reveals about a movement that needs the most privileged women to be silent and compliant. Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz       https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0      https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz  https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz   We cover:  ➤ The origins of "white woman" as an insult—from both the left and right  ➤ Why MAGA is strategically attacking their own voting base  ➤ The "toxic empathy" narrative and why caring is now considered dangerous  ➤ How this keeps conservative women in line through fear  ➤ The connection to attacks on IVF, surrogacy, and reproductive freedom  ➤ Why passport bros and the manosphere hate white women specifically  ➤ What this reveals about the MAGA vision for women in America

    43 min
  2. HACE 3 DÍAS

    They Are Trying To Kill The Internet As We Know It

    🚨 URGENT: Section 230 is under attack and it affects EVERY person who uses the internet. This is part 1 of my deep-dive series exposing the truth about the most important internet law ever created. Support my independent journalism:🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz 🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co Every single time you leave a comment, post a review, or send a message, you are being protected by a law called Section 230, and right now, politicians on both sides of the aisle are trying to destroy it. Section 230 is the legal foundation for the modern internet. It’s why websites can host comments, forums, reviews, group chats, marketplaces, and social platforms without being sued into oblivion. It’s why Wikipedia exists. In this video, I break down what Section 230 actually is, why it was created, and how it shaped the internet as we know it. I uncover the forgotten history of the internet, from the early legal battles of CompuServe and Prodigy to the landmark Zeran v. AOL ruling. I explore why the "Big Tech" narrative is a lie, how repealing Section 230 would actually crush small creators and marginalized communities, and why recent efforts like FOSTA-SESTA have already been a disaster for human rights, marginalized communities, small forums, nonprofits, and independent creators. Despite what politicians and pundits claim, NONE of this is about protecting big tech companies. The fight over Section 230 is about who controls online speech, who gets a voice, and whether the internet remains an open space for all of us, or becomes a tightly controlled AI-surveilled hellscape dominated by censorship and corporate consolidation. This is the first episode in my entirely self-funded and self-produced multi-part series on Section 230. I dive deep into internet history, free expression and the growing push for mass online censorship. If you care about free speech, online communities, privacy, or the future of the internet (which you should!!!), this fight affects YOU, whether you realize it or not. Subscribe for the rest of the series, support my work below, and stay informed about the laws quietly shaping your digital life! Resources: https://www.whatissection230.orghttps://badinternetbills.comhttps://www.stoponlineidchecks.org Support my channel 🙏 My Section 230 educational series is 100% self-funded and self-produced. 🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz 🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co Follow me:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz Instagram (alt): https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenzBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social Covered in this video:What is Section 230 How CompuServe and Prodigy created the internet as we know itHow Section 230 protects ordinary users, not corporationsWhy both political parties are lying about this lawThe real reasons politicians want Section 230 goneWhy Big Tech SUPPORTS weakening Section 230How Section 230 protects marginalized communities, sex workers, LGBTQ groups, and reproductive justice activistsWhat you can do RIGHT NOW to fight back

    55 min
  3. HACE 6 DÍAS

    The UK Is A Dystopia, And We're Next

    The UK is rapidly becoming one of the most aggressive surveillance states in the democratic world, and many don't even realize it's happening. Support my independent journalism: 🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz      🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co     [FREE SPEECH FRIDAY] The UK has officially slid into a dystopian surveillance state, and the rest of the world is next. On this week's Free Speech Friday The Kavernackle joined me to discuss the terrifying reality of the Online Safety Act, the push for mandatory Digital ID, and how the UK is leading the global charge toward authoritarianism and mass surveillance.  From banning VPNs to arresting citizens for social media posts, the British government is dismantling privacy under the guise of "safety." We break down how liberals like Keir Starmer are spearheading these mass surveillance programs and why the "Blitz Spirit" mentality has altered the way so many in the UK understand nationalism and privacy. The mass surveillance framework being built in London is coming to the US, as the crackdown on free speech is spreading across the globe. Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz       https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0      https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz  https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz   In this video, we cover: The Online Safety Act: How the new laws can force you to scan your face to access basic websites. Why the UK is trying to ban VPNs and remove online anonymity. How "hate speech" laws are weaponized against political dissent and pro-Palestine protests. Why British culture is uniquely susceptible to authoritarian overreach. Why US Democrats are adopting the exact same censorship playbook as Kier Starmer and Tony Blair.  UK surveillance laws Online Safety Act explained Digital ID and age verification Facial recognition online VPN bans Free speech crackdowns Tech censorship Mass data collection

    39 min
  4. 4 FEB

    Content Creation Has Become a Pyramid Scheme

    The MLM industry has rebranded for the TikTok era. Now, instead of hawking LuLaRoe leggings, women are paying $500 for PDFs on how to become micro influencers.  Support my independent journalism: 🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co    The "hustle economy" is no longer about selling essential oils or leggings to your neighbors. A new wave of multi-level marketing-style schemes has taken over Instagram and TikTok. Digital courses specifically targeting young mothers with the promise of "passive income" and "financial freedom" by becoming a content creator have become pervasive.  In this episode, I sit down with Caroline Moss (founder of "Gee Thanks, Just Bought It") to break down how content creation became the new digital pyramid scheme. We expose the dark reality of the influencer economy, the rise of Faceless Marketing scams, and why so many women are buying $500 PDFs just to turn around and sell that same PDF to someone else. We talk about influencer saturation, the use of ChatGPT to write generic "chaos mama" scripts, the rise of "course core" and the heartbreaking reality that most of these creators are making absolutely zero dollars.   Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz  Follow Caroline: http://geethanks.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/geethanksjustboughtitpod In This Video: The evolution of MLMs. Why "Faceless Marketing" is the new trap for introverts. Selling courses about selling courses. The role of ChatGPT in generating low-quality influencer content. Why viral views don't equal a paycheck. The psychology of targeting stay-at-home moms. The origins of the mommy blogger world, Heather Armstrong aka "Dooce"

    49 min
  5. 2 FEB

    [PATREON PREVIEW] The Powerful Subreddit Upending Twitch: The Rise and Fall of Livestream Fail

    To listen to the full episode and get other bonus content subscribe to my Patreon or Substack!  SUBSCRIBE TO MY PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz     Or, buy a paid subscription to my Substack: https://www.usermag.co  For a decade, r/LiveStreamFail (LSF) has been the "beating heart" of Twitch culture, but at what cost?  One former reddit moderator went viral recently for posting a wild video addressed to Reddit's CEO, where he talks about the secret power he wielded in his role as moderator of Livestream Fail, a subreddit that catalogs news about the biggest streamers on Twitch for the parasocial fans who follow their every move.  But how did the Livestream Fail subreddit emerge, how did it become so influential, and how has its role in online culture evolved? Journalist Steven Asarch joins me to answer these questions. He's been covering the world of Livestream Fail for a decade.  From Destiny, to Asmongold, to Hasan Piker, LSF helps Twitch scandals break through on Elon Musk’s X ecosystem. Steven and I discuss how this viral clip culture actually works and how it can be weaponized. We talk about how the subreddit evolved from an "edgelord paradise" centered on Ice Poseidon to a political weapon used against progressive and women creators.  Steven explains the subreddit's origins and lore, and we reveal the truth about "clip farming," how billionaires are paying for right-wing rage bait, and how 30-second clips are fueling the alt-right pipeline.  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz       https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0      https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz  https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social   https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz

    10 min
  6. 30 ENE

    Can You Sue For Social Media Addiction?

    The Internet as we know it is on trial. A major suit claiming social media addiction could give the government unprecedented power. Support my independent journalism: 🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co    A landmark lawsuit in California claims that social media giants like Meta, TikTok, YouTube, and Snapchat are intentionally designing their platforms to be addictive, causing severe mental health issues in minors. But is this really about protecting children, or is it a backdoor to destroy the free and open web? Experts say this lawsuit would set a dangerous legal precedent that gives the government total authority to regulate, censor, and control online content. I sat down with journalist Liz Nolan Brown to break down the bellwether case that could end Section 230 protections and force Big Tech to work with the government to censor the internet like never before. We discuss the controversial claims of "social media addiction," the lack of scientific evidence linking apps to depression, and why this moral panic is similar to that surrounding the telephone decades ago. Ultimately, this lawsuit is about who controls the internet and whether the government should have the power to control 100% of what we see and read online.  Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz      https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0     https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social  https://twitter.com/taylorlorenz  Topics covered: The "Kagome" lawsuit against Meta, Google, and TikTok Does social media cause depression and anxiety? The threat to Section 230 and free speech Why "design defects" are the new legal weapon The history of moral panics in technology  online privacy and surveillance government control of the internet

    27 min
  7. 28 ENE

    Why Everyone Is Becoming Chinese Online w/ Caroline Kwan

    China is winning the culture war: From "galvanized square steel" to drinking hot water, why is the entire internet suddenly looking more Chinese? Support my independent journalism: 🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz   🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co   Over the past year, a massive cultural shift has taken place. From China-maxxing memes to TikTok migrations, Chinese tech, culture, and lifestyle have become aspirational in a way no one could have predicted a decade ago.  Twitch streamer and pop culture commentator Caroline Kwan joins me to break down how and why the internet became Chinese. We discuss what these memes actually mean, and why US politicians are panicking. We talk about the TikTok ban, RedNote, Chinese tech dominance, cultural soft power, high speed rail, American decline, surveillance hypocrisy, and why Gen Z no longer believes what they were told. We also talk about why American propaganda on China is collapsing in real time, and what that says about the future of politics, culture, and power in the 21st century. Follow me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz   Instagram (alt): https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0   TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz    Topics Covered: "China Maxxing" and "You met me at a very Chinese time" memes. Why Gen Z is moving to Red Note (Xiaohongshu) after the TikTok ban. The contrast between US infrastructure (crumbling) and China (high-speed rail). The truth about the "Made in China" stigma vs. modern quality. Why US anti-China propaganda is backfiring.

    39 min
  8. 26 ENE

    Why Conservatives Hate Brooklyn Beckham [PATREON PREVIEW]

    TO LISTEN TO THIS FULL EPISODE, SUBSCRIBE ON PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    Support my independent journalism:  🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co Last week, Brooklyn Beckham, the 26 year old son of Victoria and David Beckham, posted a 7 slide essay on Instagram Stories, accusing his parents of controlling his entire life and disrespecting his wife Nicola Peltz. Immediately, he was hit with a tidal wave of backlash. Right wingers have pounced on this drama, with Candace Owens, House in Habit, and others pushing the idea that Nicola Pelz is yet another "Meghan Markle" and that Brooklyn is "Prince Harry 2.0," yet another privileged son being manipulated by an evil woman into betraying his family. Kat Tenbarge joined me to break down what Brooklyn actually said, how tabloids and influencers are distorting the story, why Nicola Peltz was instantly cast as the villain, and what it reveals about how society reacts when men set boundaries with powerful families. We discuss boy mom culture, media manipulation, and why cutting off family still triggers moral panic. We also talk about how PR machines operate, how smear campaigns are constructed, and why the public constantly blames women for men's choices.  While this seems like your standard celebrity drama, it actually reveals a lot about how our culture treats men, the normalization of gender-based violence and how propaganda works in the digital age.  Support my independent journalism:  🙏 Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/taylorlorenz    🗞️ Substack: https://www.usermag.co Follow me: https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz                       https://www.instagram.com/taylorlorenz3.0                       https://www.tiktok.com/@taylorlorenz   https://x.com/taylorlorenz   https://bsky.app/profile/taylorlorenz.bsky.social

    9 min

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Taylor Lorenz explores how technology and the internet are upending our lives and the world around us. Each week, she explores everything from online fame to emerging platforms, viral phenomena, the creator economy, and much more. Tune in every Wednesday for regular episodes and every Friday for "Free Speech Friday," her series on tech policy and the fight for civil liberties online.

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