The current trend among media personalities, government officials and internet stars is to proclaim their “anti-establishment” principles and how they remain committed to authenticity and truth.
Yeah. Not quite.
What I have noticed is that over half of these wannabe rebels came from the establishment that they now criticize at any opportunity. People like Megyn Kelly and Joe Rogan made tens of millions of dollars of F.U. money working for traditional media and entertainment companies with standard contracts, guarantees and buyouts. Now they encourage their guests (and listeners) to “screw the man” and be independent.
That’s easy for them to say since they already banked a lifetime of money working for “the man”.
I spent most of my life working for small businesses and startups. I loved working with small committed teams in scrappy, “make something happen” environments.
But I made my best money working for a large Fortune 1000 corporation. I detested being ruled by short term quarterly goals, layoffs/hiring/business decisions hinging on the stock market, the bureaucracy of corporate life and most of the values it exhibited.
Nonetheless, I have advised many people who wanted to maximize earnings to join a large established corporation vs. a startup. If I needed maximize my earning today, that’s what I would do.
Another hypocrisy I see among the champions of “independent/anti-establishment types” is how quickly many sign contracts with the very same companies they used to criticize, as soon as they are able to land a big contract.
I don’t blame them for following the money and “selling out”.
But perhaps then it would be time to step down from their pedestals.
It reminds me of Trump, pretending to be a victim who everyone is out to get instead of a rich kid who had everything handed to him and then screws anyone he can (literally and figuratively).
Or Kid Rock, who was raised in upper class suburbia with a father who owned car dealerships, making millions as the good old boy “white trash” rock star.
Take your pick. When someone is making money by flying their Rebel Flag, all it takes is a brief Wikipedia search to see if they truly are anti-establishment or someone who was lucky enough to be born on 3rd base or in the right place at the right time*.
* I too, have been in the right place at the right time many times throughout my life. Luck and chance have a lot more to do my successes far more than my unique ability, intellect, decisions or work ethic. I’d like to believe otherwise, but that’s just stroking my ego.