House of Strauss

House of Strauss

Share this post

House of Strauss
House of Strauss
On Forcing Enemies to Fake Their Beliefs
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More

On Forcing Enemies to Fake Their Beliefs

Why does the sports media want Tampa Bay Rays players to pretend they're supportive of Pride?

Ethan Strauss's avatar
Ethan Strauss
Jun 07, 2022
∙ Paid
95

Share this post

House of Strauss
House of Strauss
On Forcing Enemies to Fake Their Beliefs
Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More
82
Share
Julio Aguilar/Getty Images

I’m not saying that an Around the Horn segment where ESPN’s Sarah Spain was especially grating is the skeleton key to understanding sports and culture, but you could find worse examples. The value of some people’s punditry is less that they say something original and more that they voice unoriginality so baldly, at full volume, allowing observers to pick up a widespread rhythm. In Spain’s case, in this instance, it’s about the moral justification for control of strangers. It’s about how so many in media right now, having lost faith in persuasion, feel obligated to demonize and coerce their perceived social inferiors.

This post is for paid subscribers

Already a paid subscriber? Sign in
© 2025 Ethan Strauss
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start writingGet the app
Substack is the home for great culture

Share

Copy link
Facebook
Email
Notes
More