Kanye, Celebrity Handlers and the Dead Internet with Shane Cashman - Sarah Westall

Independent journalist and author Shane Cashman joins the program to discuss the month he spent documenting the life of Kanye West. Cashman shares how the two met and how that encounter developed into an ongoing dialogue, with West opening up about some of his deepest thoughts during an extraordinary period of his life—including his run for president, the loss of his Nike contract, and the possibility of divorce from his wife, Kim Kardashian. Cashman also describes West’s strangeness and unpredictability, leading to a broader discussion about the world of celebrity and the handlers who often surround powerful public figures. Who are these handlers, why are they there, and what role do they actually play?  We also dive into the Dead Internet Theory and what it means in an online world increasingly populated by bots, algorithms, AI-generated content and manufactured engagement. How much of the internet are we actually experiencing through real human interaction, and how much is being artificially created or controlled?You can purchase Shane Cashman’s new book and follow his work at ShaneCashman.com.Sign up for the Newsletter and see exclusives now located at WestallMedia.com or still at SarahWestall.substack.com.