Kenneth Ethan Frantz

my project in a nutshell: White Christian Patriarchal men promoted parenting methods that created and nurtured emotionally immature boys/men for the last 5-6 decades and now it is everyone's problem.

I just saw the new Fantastic 4 movie. It wasn’t bad. Definitely a C+\B-.

Well, father, aren’t you going to rub my belly?

It’s a worthy watch—particularly for millennials, X-illennials, and younger gen-Xers.

Yeah point, one that still won’t leave us alone

“I think that the Democrats have a real charisma problem right now. They have a reasonable bench of younger leaders who are wonderful orators and very charming, effective communicators, but I’m not sure that they have figured out the grand story that they can offer.“ - Molly Worthen

I didn’t participate in sports or any extra curricular activities when I was younger. Hearing about youth sports culture makes me glad I passed on that nonsense.

YouTube video by Netflix Trainwreck: The Cult of American Apparel | Official Trailer | Netflix

I’m old enough to remember when American Apparel was considered a progressive clothing brand. Times have certainly changed . . . m.youtube.com/watch?v=jrOY...

Weekly Roundup: Aug. 1 Here’s the weekly roundup from A Public Witness. In addition to a review of a new book on racism and a look at efforts to push back against false history that are free for anyone to read, paid subscri...

Our latest news roundup features insights from @kennethefrantz.bsky.social, @wendellgriffen.bsky.social, @yonat.bsky.social, @jackjenkins.me, @courtneyrozen.bsky.social, @americansunited.bsky.social, @kateshellnutt.bsky.social, @afsc-org.bsky.social, @kkramermcginnis.bsky.social,‬ and more!

Why Your Name Matters

In 1948, two Harvard professors surmised that a rare name had a negative psychological effect on its bearer. Were they right?

I have a great idea, what if we didn't do this

Yeah, he’s big among the anti-trans movement too.

YouTube video by googly eyes - Topic Jesus and John Wayne

A new song from artist "googly eyes" sharing the name of @kkdumez.bsky.social's seminal book JESUS AND JOHN WAYNE is, to our delight, catchy as hell! Listen: www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocRM...

Molly Worthen Reveals the Hidden Truths Behind American Charismatic Leaders - Word&Way In her new book, ‘Spellbound,’ the historian of religion traces the mysterious force that is charisma from the Puritans to Donald Trump.

New interview with historian Molly Worthen about her new book Spellbound, tracing America's obsession with charismatic leaders, blending religion and politics. Great work by @kennethefrantz.bsky.social.
wordandway.org/2025/07/30/m...

I hate this kind of strange cherry-picking to generalize racism beyond oppressed people to score discursive points that no one is issuing.

So let’s take a temperature. Is there a pervasive fear among white parents that their kids will be shot if they ring a doorbell?

“. . . there’s a danger in applying the lens of charisma, especially to the other side from yourself, in that it’s kind of letting you off the hook and giving you an excuse to dismiss that leader’s followers as irrational.“ -Molly Worthen

Living Next To Tesla Diner Is 'Absolute Hell,' Neighbors Say We talked to people living in the building whose views are being blocked by Tesla's massive four-story screen.

Of course Musk's diner is as obnoxious as he is . . . www.404media.co/living-next-...

Yeah, the eugenics undertones in SS’s AE ad hit me right in the face when I saw it. It’s weird that people are pretending that the ad didn’t say what it said.

It’s reasonable to believe that AE engineered this controversy to draw attention to their brand.

Molly Worthen Reveals the Hidden Truths Behind American Charismatic Leaders - Word&Way In her new book, ‘Spellbound,’ the historian of religion traces the mysterious force that is charisma from the Puritans to Donald Trump.

For our latest, @kennethefrantz.bsky.social spoke with Molly Worthen about her new book “Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump.”

Molly Worthen Reveals the Hidden Truths Behind American Charismatic Leaders - Word&Way In her new book, ‘Spellbound,’ the historian of religion traces the mysterious force that is charisma from the Puritans to Donald Trump.

I recently interviewed Molly Worthen over her new book “Spellbound” for @wordandway.bsky.social. wordandway.org/2025/07/30/m...

Losing the Plot: The “Leftists” Who Turn Right What do we make of former friends who fell down the rabbit hole of the Right?

These piece @kathrynajoyce.bsky.social & I published in @inthesetimes.com late ‘23 feels even more apt now. I see a whole lotta people following Epstein down the rabbit hole, not realizing how precisely they’re echoing right wingism. inthesetimes.com/article/form...

I recently finished watching this documentary. Seeing how Teen Mania exploited teenagers for free labor was jarring.

Watch Shiny Happy People: A Teenage Holy War | Prime Video Teen Mania captivated a generation of fervent evangelical Millennial kids with adrenaline-fueled, ecstatic religious experiences through “Acquire the Fire” rallies. But beneath the glittering surface lurked sadistic boot camps, staged martyrdom drills, and fascism disguised as faith - transforming innocent teens into fanatical soldiers, with devastating consequences still unfolding today.

1st I thought "US fundamentalism is morphing into real deal fascism" was reporting "Teenage Holy War" for @rollingstone.com in 2007. When I published, mainstream said "fringe." Now, its ideas are Project 2025, US policy. That's why #ShinyHappyPeople Season 2 matters. www.amazon.com/Shiny-Happy-...

I just realized “Frazier” was about a toxic male podcaster.

Rep. Ro Khanna backs Gen Z progressive Kat Abughazaleh in Illinois congressional race Rep. Ro Khanna of California endorsed 26-year-old influencer Kat Abughazaleh in the race for retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky's seat.

Honestly, I’m happy to see younger Dems step up and run for office. www.cbsnews.com/news/ro-khan...

Ernest Hemingway’s To Have and Have Not a Labubu It was early before the woman had taken her morning Starbucks. The line at the Pop Mart in Key West was already long and winding. The people in it ...

"The woman knew she must obtain this monster doll with bunny ears. She would not be one of the Labubu have-nots. She could not be defeated by the people looking to buy in bulk and resell them on eBay."

*David Attenborough voice*

Here, amid his first grand international gathering, the fledgling researcher observes a strange spectacle, an early glimpse into the unforgiving ecology of academia...

From Epstein to Obama, Trump’s Washington Is Consumed by Competing Conspiracies President Trump is trying to divert attention from the Epstein conspiracy theory with a new-and-improved one about Barack Obama and treason.

News Analysis: President Trump is trying to divert attention from the Jeffrey Epstein conspiracy theory with one about Barack Obama and treason. No commander in chief in his lifetime has been as consumed by conspiracy theories as Trump and now they seem to be consuming him.

You’ll have to tell me about this when you’re back!

I genuinely cannot imagine how some of you are going to adjust to your bodyminds changing, when movement becomes painful and slow, when sickness shrinks your world, when your body no longer moves, functions or is the way you always experienced it as.
Some of you seem to think abledness is eternal.