Former Taki’s Magazine editor Richard Spencer has started a new website called ‘Alternative Right’ that’s drawn a mixed response from other bloggers on the alternative right, with some arguing it lacks focus, and others claiming it’s too focused on white nationalism and biological reductionism.
I’d argue that the eclectic nature of the blog is an asset rather than a weakness. At present the alternative right blog scene is becoming stuck in a bit of cul-de-sac with a number of good, but fairly specialist blogs and websites able to maintain a strong niche following, but unable to expand their readership much further. Included in this category are the likes of VDare, View from the Right, Gates of Vienna, Mangan’s, Steve Sailer and Parapundit. At the same time there’s a heavy rate of attrition among the smaller blogs. A number of alternative right bloggers in Australia for example, have started off strongly but haven’t received much recognition in terms of comments and have subsequently lapsed into inactivity after a year or so.
If the alternative right is to continue expanding its presence on the blogosphere then it needs more sites which cover a more eclectic range of viewpoints and topics. In particular, there is a need to foster more links with the popular ‘game’ and men’s rights bloggers. In terms of Internet presence, these bloggers attract an impression number of hits and are seem to be much more open to airing the views of the alternative right than the mainstream right is. While traditionalists bloggers have been rightly critical of some of the views expressed by the game bloggers, Spencer is right to develop links with them since at present the alternative right is unable expand its internet presence without their help.
Two other aspects of the alternative right that Spencer is looking to address with his new site are links with European bloggers and trying out other media forms such as radio and Internet video. Encouraging greater links with European bloggers is important because the alternative right in American and Australasia is largely shut out of the political process, and needs views and information on how the alternative right in Europe is going about trying to put theory into practice, and how the establishment is trying to contain it. The popularity of YouTube suggests that video could provide a useful way of increasing the visibility of the alternative right, and Taki Magazine’s Southern Avenger has already produced some interesting content that could serve as a starting template.
Former Taki’s Magazine editor Richard Spencer has started a new website called ‘Alternative Right’ that’s drawn a mixed response from other bloggers on the alternative right, with some arguing it lacks focus, and others claiming it’s too focused on white nationalism and biological reductionism.
I’d argue that the eclectic nature of the blog is an asset rather than a weakness. At present the alternative right blog scene is becoming stuck in a bit of cul-de-sac with a number of good, but fairly specialist blogs and websites able to maintain a strong niche following, but unable to expand their readership much further. Included in this category are the likes of VDare, View from the Right, Gates of Vienna, Mangan’s, Steve Sailer and Parapundit. At the same time there’s a heavy rate of attrition among the smaller blogs. A number of alternative right bloggers in Australia for example, have started off strongly but haven’t received much recognition in terms of comments and have subsequently lapsed into inactivity after a year or so.
If the alternative right is to continue expanding its presence on the blogosphere then it needs more sites which cover a more eclectic range of viewpoints and topics. In particular, there is a need to foster more links with the popular ‘game’ and men’s rights bloggers. In terms of Internet presence, these bloggers attract an impression number of hits and are seem to be much more open to airing the views of the alternative right than the mainstream right is. While traditionalists bloggers have been rightly critical of some of the views expressed by the game bloggers, Spencer is right to develop links with them since at present the alternative right is unable expand its internet presence without their help.
Two other aspects of the alternative right that Spencer is looking to address with his new site are links with European bloggers and trying out other media forms such as radio and Internet video. Encouraging greater links with European bloggers is important because the alternative right in American and Australasia is largely shut out of the political process, and needs views and information on how the alternative right in Europe is going about trying to put theory into practice, and how the establishment is trying to contain it. The popularity of YouTube suggests that video could provide a useful way of increasing the visibility of the alternative right, and Taki Magazine’s Southern Avenger has already produced some interesting content that could serve as a starting template.