WIRED Highlights: Online Fandom in Politics, Controversy Over Zuckerberg's School, and Nepal's Digital Uprising

In this week's episode of Uncanny Valley, host Zoë Schiffer, alongside Leah Feiger, delves into notable stories making headlines. From Mark Zuckerberg’s contentious educational endeavor to the online fervor impacting US elections.

Mark Zuckerberg’s Unlawful School Venture

The saga in Palo Alto takes a new turn as it emerges that Mark Zuckerberg started a school without the necessary permits. The neighbors of this ultra-exclusive locale, already wary of the Zuckerbergs' expanding property empire, discovered in 2021 that a school was being run from his compound, something not permissible under local zoning laws.

Documents obtained by reporter Caroline Haskins unveil a prolonged neighborhood dispute, questioning the leniency city officials might have shown towards the Zuckerberg family. Despite the California Department of Education listing the school's official start as October 2022, anecdotal evidence suggests operations began much earlier, manifesting a disregard for local regulations.

Political Fandom's Role in US Election Success

The surprising Democratic victories in the recent elections underscore the influence of internet fandom on politics. Candidates like Zohran Mamdani have leveraged social media strategies akin to pop culture fan clubs, creating an enthusiastic online following that transcends traditional campaigning.

Nepal’s Discord Revolution: A Gen Z Movement

A movement in Nepal, largely orchestrated by Gen Z through Discord, recently led to significant political upheaval. Triggered by videos highlighting the disparity between ordinary citizens and the affluent elite, young Nepalese utilized digital platforms to galvanize protests against government corruption.

In response to governmental restrictions on social media, the youth turned to VPNs and other means to bypass the blockade, organizing rallies that unfortunately turned deadly. Yet, their efforts compelled military discussions, revealing the power of digital communication in modern activism.

Reflections on Digital Activism and Democracy

These narratives—from Zuckerberg's neighborhood tensions to the political fervor in the US and the upheaval in Nepal—offer a window into the ways digital landscapes are reshaping societal norms. Whether it is through school controversies or political triumphs driven by fandom, the internet stands as a formidable vector for change.