Summary

The article discusses the cultural and emotional significance of media reactions to character updates, such as Velma from Scooby-Doo being portrayed as a lesbian, reflecting broader societal fears of change.

Abstract

The piece by Will Leitch highlights the phenomenon of conservative media outlets, particularly Fox News, reacting strongly to changes in popular culture, such as Velma's portrayal as a lesbian in a new HBO Max series. These reactions are analyzed not merely as responses to the characters themselves but as indicators of a deeper fear of change among certain demographics. The author points out that these consumers of cable news are typically older, politically engaged, and prone to emotional, rather than logical, responses to stimuli. The article suggests that the strategy of cable news networks, exemplified by Fox News, is to capitalize on this fear of change to maintain viewership by constantly emphasizing that traditional worldviews are under threat. The author argues that while the subjects of these controversies may seem trivial, they are symptomatic of a broader societal unease with transformation and the unknown, which is exploited by news outlets to keep their audience in a state of alarm and attentiveness.

Opinions

The author finds humor in the outrage over seemingly minor cultural updates, such as Velma's sexual orientation.
There is an underlying critique of the intelligence and motives behind the programming of cable news, which is seen as manipulative and fear-mongering.
The article implies that the average cable news viewer is susceptible to messages that reinforce their fear of change and the unfamiliar.
The author posits that the focus on these cultural shifts is a deliberate tactic to keep viewers emotionally invested and fearful, thereby ensuring their continued attention to the network.
There is a recognition that while the issues at hand (like Velma's character development) may seem inconsequential, they tap into a profound societal anxiety about the pace and nature of change.
The piece concludes that the true purpose of these news stories is to perpetuate a cycle of fear, which is central to the success of certain political and media entities.

Velma Being a Lesbian Is Actually Pretty Scary to a Lot of People

It’s about change — and fear.

One of my favorite side amusements is watching Fox News freak out about things that would seem absolutely insane to freak out about.

This week: It’s that Scooby-Doo’s friend Velma, in a new incarnation on HBO Max, is a lesbian.

There have been many others. Tucker Carlson was upset about M&Ms.

They were mad at Superman for no longer being for “the American Way.”

This came up with Captain America as well.

Apparently there was an issue with Popeye too.

It is common to mock these sort of campaigns and, if I’m being honest, kind of fun. With all the problems going on in the world — I mean, when I was in college 25 years ago, I certainly didn’t anticipate my theoretical future children constantly hearing the words “nuclear war” all the time — it seems absurd to be talking about matters of such frivolity. Are these people fundamentally unserious? What buffoons!

And while I understand this notion, I think it underestimates the intelligence of those putting together this programming. Remember who your average consumer of cable news is: Older, more addicted to political news, reactionary, more likely to respond emotionally rather than logically to all external stimuli. They are more likely to be homebodies, a bit incurious, secure in their ways, and pretty sure the world is going to hell in a handbasket. And they are ruled by fear: Fear of the other, fear of loss, fear of failure, fear of people.

But more than anything else: They are afraid of change.

And that’s what these stories are about, because that’s what cable news is about, because that’s why Fox News has become the most watched news channel over the last 20 years by a very large margin: The goal of cable news is to let you know that things are changing constantly, that the way you have become accustomed to the world being is in danger of no longer being the way that it is, that everything you thought you knew is wrong … unless you keep watching them — unless you keep alert.

The problem is not that Velma is a lesbian now. (After all: Most people assumed Velma was already a lesbian.) The problem is that things are changing. And that is what’s most terrifying. Fear is what keeps people watching. Fear is what keeps Fox News the king of cable news. Fear is what the scariest political movements are all about. Fear is why we are living through what we are living through right now. It’s obviously silly to care about dumb stuff like this. But if you’re scared — if you no longer understand the world, or wish to — nothing is silly. Nothing is too small. Everything that is change is terrifying, and must be stopped by … someone. At least you can feel better watching the news and feeling like Fox News is trying to do something. And they are trying to do something. They’re trying to keep you scared … and most of all, watching. They talk about Velma, and M&Ms, and Blue’s Clues, and Superman, and Popeye, because the stories aren’t about them: They’re about change. And nothing is scarier than change.

Mock them all you wish. But know: They’re dead serious about this — about all of it.

Will Leitch writes multiple pieces a week for Medium. Make sure to follow him right here. He lives in Athens, Georgia, with his family and is the author of five books, including the Edgar-nominated novel How Lucky, now out from Harper Books. He also writes a free weekly newsletter that you might enjoy.