The YouTube War

superficial lives? What does it mean to experience war virtually and from our own perspective and prejudices?

By Fred Samia

Vietnam was called the first “Television War.” Americans could sit comfortably in their living rooms and watch reports in grainy black and white of battles that had recently taken place and perhaps feel some of the immediacy that watching a newsreel in a theater some weeks after the event did not convey, as happened in WWII.

The freedom of today’s nearly universally accessible digital social media, as we are learning, has its dark side. From fanatic fantastical conspiratorial scenarios that lead to real world mayhem, to the resurgence of hateful ideologies long thought buried, to the ability of one nation to interfere in the political process of another,or unfettered entré to personal bully pulpits leaves us all on a precarious precipice.

Social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Twitter, rely on content to drive them (and their advertisers), and the more unique, sensational or even shocking that content, the better. Up until recently, these sites depended, more or less, on contributors editing and censoring themselves, but in the “anything goes” atmosphere to achieve their Warhol-like five minutes of fame, few have done either. Believers believe likeminded folk and re-tweet, re-post and re-brand what they believe, no matter how thinly researched, if at all, and contradictory proof notwithstanding.

So we are in a time when truth is no longer provable; science is no longer to be trusted—along with whichever political party or structure you don’t support (fill in the blank— and words spoken and images shown can be manipulated and contorted to mean something entirely contrary than intended or as originally shot.

Perhaps the epitome of this virtual disconnect are the short videos of the war in Ukraine that populate YouTube and other sites nearly every day. The vast majority of them show attacks by Ukrainian forces on Russian troops, positions and equipment. Many of them are accompanied by rock or other stimulating music and all ask you to subscribe and “like” the post you have just watched.

What, exactly are we being asked to add our kudos to? The fact that we have just seen some young Russian conscripts suffer grievous wounds from a drone-delivered grenade? Or a tank become the instant immolation chamber for several others after a missile strike?

I will admit, that as an ex-tanker, I am both obsessed and horrified by the lethality of modern antitank weapons. While in no way condoning Russia’s invasion and its brutality in Ukraine, nevertheless, I can feel pity and empathy for those obliterated crewmen. (The weapons manufacturers, no doubt, are happy, as are the various western militaries supporting Ukraine as they get to see their weapons systems tested under actual battle conditions. That they are done so against the Russians, is an added bonus, though it might be wise for those same parties to keep a close eye on the Chinese.)

Perhaps more disturbing than the videos of actual combat, are the hundreds (probably thousands) of interspersed gamer videos simulating fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces. Given the grainy and blurred quality of many of the “real” videos (often drone footage) some of the gamer images can be quite deceiving as they replicate much of the equipment and tactics used, adding another layer of unreality, confusion and distance, and blurring the border between life (and death) and fantasy. Additionally, there is no fact-checking of any of this warrelated content and it doesn’t take many viewings to realize that both sides and/or their supporters, are posting blatant propaganda and deliberate disinformation.

Does YouTube do for the war in Ukraine what television did for the Vietnam War—make it real, immediate and palpable? Or, slotted in among the latest celebrity gossip, zombie apocalypse and how-tounclog-a-toilet videos, and arm wrestlers disguised as old men and young guitarists doing their 30-second covers of The Sultans of Swing, is it just more distraction and noise in our already over-revved and

Journalist Sarah Jones says, “That’s why I refer to wars in the digital sphere as iWars. Not just because many access the internet or social media on their phones, but because our access to this information has become so individualized. The way we consume the information, for the most part, is all about us, all about a single post, all about an individual, as opposed to the big picture. In many ways we are embedded in a narrative based on the accounts or voices we choose to look at and/or follow.” ** There is something very wrong when the death and destruction of war is reduced to competing for our “likes” and thumbs-up on platforms of questionable social and moral value.

*Peter Singer, co-author of “Like War: The Weaponization of Social Media,” Why Social Media is the New Weapon in Modern Warfare, https://knowledge. wharton.upenn.edu/article/singerweaponization-social-media/

**Sarah Jones, Social Media’s Impact on War, diplomaticourier.com/posts/ social-medias-impact-warreal-world war. We’re the ones whose clicks decide whose side wins out.”*

Topangan Fred Samia is a free-lance journalist and Marine veteran. He served in Vietnam 1967-68; his eight decorations include the Purple Heart.

Ongoing every Sunday, Bible Study with Michelle Klein, 10 a.m. Topanga Christian Fellowship. Service with Pastor John Klein follows at 11 a.m. info@topangachristianfellowship.org. 269 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga CA 90290, (310) 455-1048.

Ongoing. Food Truck Fridays, 4:30-8 p.m Topanga Community Center, 1440 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290. topangacommunitycenter.org.

Ongoing. Third week of “Jewpernatural” ZOOM course with Rabbi Mendy Piekarski . Judaism’s answers regarding paranormal beliefs from the Jewish Learning Institute that unearths the Jewish perspective on dreams, astrology, spirits, demons, ghosts and other enduring mysteries. Chabad of Topanga, 1459 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga, CA 90290. For information: Rabbi Mendy Piekarski at (310) 455-1597 or RabbiMendyPiekarski@gmail.com.

Friday, June 2, 7:30-9:30 p.m., TYS Teen Open Mic Night, ages 13-19 . Hosted by River Noble & Adam Roberts. Share your poetry, music, comedy, story, dance or mode of expression suits you.

All ages welcome. Pay $5 cash at door or scan code. Volunteers get in free. Pre-register at tys@ topangayouthservices.org . Topanga Community Center, 1440 Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga, CA 90290. Info: topangacommunitycenter.org

Kidiwische Corner Workshops.

Saturday, June 3. Pueblo pottery with Rowan Harrison.

Saturday, June 10. Flintknapping with Chumash flintknapper Steven Saffold. Sunday, June 11. Father’s Day. Round reed baskets. Make Dad a special gift!

To be scheduled: Book signings, storytelling events, Native kids’ games, Dreamcatchers, Acorn cooking and Arts, Everything Elderberry, dogbane and yucca cordage, kelp rattles, using earth pigments, a prickly pear party, and more!

For information: KatCalls@aol.com.

Sunday, June 4, 2 p.m., The Crazy J Ranch presents the John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band This bluegrass supergroup features four legendary, award-winning musicians: John Jorgenson on acoustic guitar, mandolin and vocals; Herb Pedersen on banjo, acoustic guitar and vocals; Mark Fain on bass; and Patrick Sauber on acoustic guitar and vocals. Expect impeccable musicianship, great songwriting, tight harmony vocals and seasoned showmanship. Dress for outdoor event. $25 Suggested Donation. For info: (310) 752-6069; crazyjtopanga@gmail.com

Sunday, June 18, 2 p.m., The Crazy J Ranch presents Roberto Cani & Friends, Concertmaster of the LA Opera Orchestra. Principals of the orchestra create a superb string quartet for a concert of classical music at Crazy J. On the program are works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Puccini. Dress for outdoor event. $25 Suggested Donation.

For info: (310) 752-6069; crazyjtopanga@gmail.com

Spend the Summer with Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum and Celebrate its 50th Anniversary Gala, August 5 Tickets & Sponsorships Available Now theater entertainment, theater camps and classes for kids and adults. For information: theatricum.com

Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum opens its summer repertory season with two plays by Shakespeare in one weekend with two more to follow and set to run through September. Unlike most theaters in the L.A. area that stage continuous runs of a single play, Theatricum will perform all four plays in repertory, making it possible to see them all in one single late summer weekend.

Saturday, June 10, 7:30 p.m., Macbeth’s most infamously lethal couple feed each other’s ambitious passion with the gall to scale above and beyond everything and everyone around them. Unable to be sated until the bones are picked clean, they continue to devour the very food that brings their disastrous end. Directed by Ellen Geer.

Friday, July 21st, 7:30 p.m. “Pay What You Will” ticket pricing is available for the show. Saturday, August 26th, 6:30 p.m. Join the cast for a prologue discussion before the show.

June 24, 7:30 p.m., Queen Margaret’s version of Shakespeare’s War of the Roses, compiled by Ellen Geer from the Bard’s best-known history plays (Henry VI Parts I, II and III and Richard III) Theatricum’s production centers on Queen Margaret and the women and children of Shakespeare’s civil war saga. Friday, August 18, 7:30 p.m., “Pay What You Will” ticket pricing is available for the show. Saturday, August 12, 6:30 p.m, Join the cast for a prologue discussion before the show.

Off the Grid Comedy Improv Troupe for a hearty weekday laugh. All shows at 7:30 p.m. Friday, June 30, Thursday, July 27, Thursday, Aug. 31, Thursday, Sept. 28.

Under the Oaks September Salon Series All shows at 7:30 p.m. Every Friday in September 8, 15, 22, 29.

Sunday, June 11, 3:30 p.m., A Midsummer Night’s Dream Theatricum’s signature play and Shakespeare’s most beguiling comedy transforms Theatricum’s wooded stage every year when it morphs into the enchanted woods of Athens, where mortal lovers chase and are chased, players prepare, and fairies make magical mischief. Melora Marshall directs. Sunday, July 9, 3:30 p.m. “Pay What You Will” ticket pricing” is available for the show. Friday, July 7, 2:30 p.m. Join the cast for a prologue discussion before the show.

July 9, 7:30 p.m., A Perfect Ganesh by Terrence McNally. Two friends travel to India with heavy baggage, reeling from loss and personal demons. The Hindu god Ganesha, manifests in their fellow travelers and points them toward the revelation that sometimes, the greatest journey is surviving life. Friday, September 1, 7:30 p.m., “Pay What You Will” ticket pricing is available for the show. Sunday, September 10, 6:30 p.m. Join the cast for a prologue discussion before the show.

In addition to its summer plays, there is other

Sunday, October 8, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. The Annual Americana Harvest Festival with a special performance of The Woody Guthrie Story.

Saturday, December 9, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Annual Holiday Family Faire featuring an Artisan Holiday Marketplace, Special Performances, Festive Food and Drink, Caroling and Singing Madrigals, Photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, Winter Holiday Stories from a Variety of Traditions… and much more!

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