MAP Forum

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

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’.

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.

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".

I would agree that the PSA does its job fairly well for its intended audience. It doesn't give details that could make its viewers uncomfortable, and relies on anti-MAP sentiment to convey its implications. I'm not sure this is a good look to discuss the Epstein case in relation to anti-CSA hysteria, but then again this PSA pretty much entirely relies on anti-MAP lies to villainize Epstein instead of his actual abuse.

Frankly, Epstein's actions would have been equally criminal when done to adult women, which some of his victims were, though not what sensationalized media like to focus on. Economic exploitation, geographic isolation (confiscating passports), control, weird ethno-supremacist hate towards his gentile trafficking victims, and the human trafficking itself are all evil enough without drawing on anti-MAP hysteria. Confronting that, however, would require politicians from the center to the far left to have actual courage in standing up to all the anti-pedo bigotry while also defending sex workers' autonomy and rights.

There's probably a good opportunity for someone to write a clickbaity article about 'Epstein's real crimes' with some of the most disturbing details to direct attention and outrage away from ages and numbers towards the problem of exploitation at any age, a more productive aim for youth liberationists and MAPs alike. Maybe it's naive to assume it would work, but it's worth an attempt and seeing how it goes. Might get on that myself if it sounds like a good idea to others here.

Scorchingwilde wrote: Sun Dec 07, 2025 9:07 pm There's probably a good opportunity for someone to write a clickbaity article about 'Epstein's real crimes' with some of the most disturbing details to direct attention and outrage away from ages and numbers towards the problem of exploitation at any age, a more productive aim for youth liberationists and MAPs alike. Maybe it's naive to assume it would work, but it's worth an attempt and seeing how it goes. Might get on that myself if it sounds like a good idea to others here.

Sure. It could be hosted as a guest blog on Mu or my personal site.