Media Kayfabe Conflicts

A discussion about how media and tech figures engage in mutually beneficial conflicts, similar to professional wrestling's concept of "kayfabe" - where opponents agree to a staged conflict for mutual benefit.

The Concept of Kayfabe in Media

• Term comes from professional wrestling where opponents agree to fake fights
• Both parties benefit from the staged conflict
• Creates content and attention for all involved parties
• Similar dynamics exist in real-world media interactions

Real World Examples

• Trump vs CNN Dynamic
  • Regular conflicts with Jim Acosta during press briefings
  • CNN gets viral content and viewership
  • Trump gets attention and rallies his base against "the media"
  • Neither party changes their approach because it benefits both

Tech vs Media Dynamic

• Journalists often approach tech figures with "befriend and betray" strategy

  • Initially approach as friendly/curious
  • Later frame story with predetermined negative angle
  • Headlines often more sensational than article content
  • Editors (not journalists) often write clickbait headlines

• Tech figures' experience with media

  • Often labeled as "tech bros" despite similarities in industry
  • Media companies are technically "tech companies" too (digital revenue)
  • Journalists create artificial division between tech and media
  • Some tech figures now record interviews to prevent misrepresentation

Defense Strategies

• Tech figures becoming more media savvy
  • Recording interviews to prevent misquoting
  • Calling out predetermined narratives
  • Pushing back on artificial divisions
  • Being cautious of seemingly friendly media approaches

The key insight is that much of the tech vs media conflict is performative and benefits both sides through increased attention and engagement, similar to professional wrestling's kayfabe concept.