The Epstein PSA and its implications for MAP activism

Share essays written by MAPs and our allies. You are welcome to promote your own off-board writing. If you want to write your own mini essays on our board, please use the 'Theorycrafting' sub-forum.
Post Reply
User avatar
BLueRibbon
Posts: 1240
Joined: Sat Jun 29, 2024 12:03 pm

The Epstein PSA and its implications for MAP activism

Post by BLueRibbon »

I haven't covered the Epstein drama on my blog thus far, mostly because I think it's a lot of drama over nothing, currently popular only because of its utility as a political tool. However, three weeks ago, some Epstein 'survivors' issued a PSA ostensibly in support of releasing the Epstein files, and this is worth talking about. The PSA had little to say, instead focusing on emotional manipulation. The very decision to release such a video speaks volumes about how the MAP and 'CSA' hysteria is maintained, which is something MAP activists can learn from.
https://www.brianribbon.com/home/the-ep ... p-activism
BL. Teacher. MAP rights activist.

My personal site
My MAP Manifesto
Not Forever
Posts: 217
Joined: Wed Jun 11, 2025 8:36 pm

Re: The Epstein PSA and its implications for MAP activism

Post by Not Forever »

I watched the video… but are we sure it actually works? Maybe it's just that I'm not attracted to that way of presenting oneself, and maybe I'm too cynical about the topic to have an emotional reaction, but seeing a group of people who all use the same generic phrase to describe what they feel (because it's ridiculously generic) just makes me perceive it as nothing more than an act.

Also because of the way they present themselves — if they were mothers holding photos of their deceased daughters, it would make sense. But instead they keep photos of themselves when they were young, and they don’t even look that young in those photos, and it almost feels like a critique of aging.

I don’t know, to me it was really poorly done; it just has a good camera.
I do agree that emotional impact is extremely important, but I think an emotional narrative also needs to be well executed.

But I have no proposals.
You can’t really create a highly emotional narrative in YouTube comments, and writing and commenting everywhere is one of the few ways to get visibility. In my opinion, someone who already has an audience should speak out, or the emotional narrative should be packaged into some kind of entertainment medium. But nobody reads books anymore, and films and video games are expensive if you want them to reach an audience. (Even though there’s always the option of using scandal to attract attention.)

Not to mention that emotional impact often works better when it creates empathy — when you see someone struggling for unfair reasons. But is it even possible to do that in this context? I find it difficult, because if we talk about a minor as a victim, maybe of a state that arrested their friend, everything will be dismissed as manipulation; and if we talk about the adult, the reaction would simply be ‘who cares’.
User avatar
BLueRibbon
Posts: 1240
Joined: Sat Jun 29, 2024 12:03 pm

Re: The Epstein PSA and its implications for MAP activism

Post by BLueRibbon »

They are a well-funded operation likely supported by wealthy liberal donors. I think their appeal will be effective at affecting emotional people.

And yes, it's harder for us to do the same, for a variety of reasons. But we should try.
BL. Teacher. MAP rights activist.

My personal site
My MAP Manifesto
User avatar
Jim Burton
Posts: 1974
Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2024 10:33 pm

Re: The Epstein PSA and its implications for MAP activism

Post by Jim Burton »

BLueRibbon wrote: Sun Dec 07, 2025 1:54 pm They are a well-funded operation likely supported by wealthy liberal donors. I think their appeal will be effective at affecting emotional people.

And yes, it's harder for us to do the same, for a variety of reasons. But we should try.
There is an increasing current of distrust towards mainstream information sources and anything that reeks of money and wealthy liberals.

Even Grok considers NewgonWiki to be a "contrast perspective".
Committee Member: Mu. Editorial Lead: Yesmap

Adult-attracted gay man; writer. Attraction to minors is typical variation of human sexuality.
Post Reply