Bernie's Cultural Collision
25 Feb 2025 | Written by Parker Floris
YT: Bernie Sanders | LIVE: on Twitch with @pokimanelol, @Valkyrae, and @hankgreen (LIVE at 7:30PM ET) | 23/10/2024
Within the recent US election cycle, we saw politicians engaging with new media like never before. While the trend of hopping on podcasts has been discussed in overabundance, there was an underrated moment in particular that stood out above the rest.
For the Democrats, Bernie Sanders was one of the most prominent figures across the media landscape. At 83 years old, with over four decades of public service, Bernie’s presence in the digital world isn’t what you’d expect. Yet, there he was—on a livestream with a V-Tuber caricature (Sykkuno), video game streamers (Valkyrae and Pokimane), Twitch host (AustinShow), and even a surprise appearance by Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker). The result? A bizarre yet fascinating cultural collision.
Bernie was often lost on the cultural references of the Millennial streamers, but his willingness to engage nonetheless speaks volumes. He understands that the conversation has moved online—and he’s showing up. Even if he probably has someone on his team who actually knows what is going on and the importance of who he is speaking to and their audiences.
More often than ever young politicians are leveraging the media of their generation to connect with young voters, while older figures are being left behind. Yet, Bernie’s approach proves that political relevance isn’t just about age—it’s about adaptability. The real question isn’t just whether older politicians can keep up, but whether they’re willing to at least surround themselves with those who do.
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