How might the 1998 saga play out today?
 | By Nayeema Raza Senior Editor, Opinion |
A week ago, I found myself lost in a Los Angeles alley with Monica Lewinsky. Eventually, we arrived at our destination — a dark room with the distinct scent of marijuana — and fashioned a microphone stand out of a glass chalice and duct tape. This is what happens when you book an artist jam studio for a podcast recording. |
Once we got the logistics in order, Lewinsky settled in to speak with Kara Swisher for the latest episode of Times Opinion's podcast, "Sway." They discussed the retelling of Lewinsky's story on the new FX series "Impeachment: American Crime Story," the impact of the Clinton affair on her life, and how the Clintons emerged relatively unscathed. They also discuss the role of Linda Tripp and Paula Jones who, as Lewinsky describes, existed with her in "the margins of power." As she puts it, "we were all women who were thrust into the spotlight underneath a political film or sheen. And we were all reduced. We were all reduced in different ways to serve purposes for other people, for either political points or to make money." |
In this conversation about sex and power, I found the most interesting moments to be the connection Lewinsky makes between her story and the social media spectacle we live in today. It's what she refers to as the "monetization of shame," from Rupert Murdoch's tabloid empire to today's tech giants and their impact on us all, especially teenagers. |
Lewinsky was in many ways patient zero for shaming in the internet age: After her story was scooped by the Drudge Report in the early days of that site, she was quickly propelled into a 24/7 cable news cycle, scrutinized on chat forums and mocked by bloggers. And this was not the internet of #MeToo, where Lewinsky might have had her own microphone and an army of supporters swarming to rally against trolls. Listening to her, it struck me that she felt back then what many of us can feel today on social media: ashamed, inadequate, alone and downright sad. |
At one point in the interview with Kara, Lewinsky says "the first thing that went out the door in 1998 was truth, and the second was context." Twenty-odd years later, both seem even more elusive. |
Here's what we're focusing on today: |
Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com |
Contact Us If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times. |
|
No comments:
Post a Comment