Contention: The dangers of cancel culture on the Spotify Platform and promoting reflective
conversation instead of shutting people down
Persona: Daniel Ek (CEO of Spotify)
Context: Addressing the Press after 100 episodes of the Joe Rogan podcast had to be taken down
due to apparent incorrect information
Devices: A lot of metaphors for America being the “fiber of society” and the “lifeblood.” Also – a lot
of references to quotes that promote inclusive democratic thought. Imagery for Cancel Culture in
that it spreads like “wildfire” and “a virus.” Finally, an analogy comparing Cancel Culture to the
Witch-hunts during the 1950’s Red Scare (Communism)
Speaking Style + Tone: Logical tone, tone of patriotism throughout the speech as well as really
appealing to a sense of safety for individual thought. Mocking tone at times, especially when
discussing the dangers of cancel culture, and sarcasm appears, too.
LIVE PRESS CONFERENCE TO ALL SPOTIFY ARTISTS:
“Progress is not achieved by preachers and guardians of morality but by madmen, hermits, heretics,
dreamers, rebels, and skeptics.” Stephen Fry
I think when considering what I’m about to say, we should all think about that quote. I have just
come out of a meeting where we have essentially removed “100 episodes” of the Joe Rogan
Experience from our servers. We have been required to make a move on this recent inquest into the
conversational information put out by the Joe Rogan Experience Episode that aired on the 12th of
January 2022. I’m addressing this today because I personally believe, both as Daniel Ek AND as the
CEO of this global streaming giant we call Spotify, we are in a time of great danger. If we all can take
a breath and take a step back for a moment, when we “look at the issue more broadly” the
conversation that sparked a wildfire reaction earlier this year on Rogan’s podcast is the kind of
“critical thinking and open debate that powers real and necessary progress.” And this brings me to
our issue I will aim to unpack with you today, Cancel Culture.
Personally, there are “plenty of individuals and views on Spotify that I disagree with strongly”, am I
going to take them down for what they said for one time and outlaw them for life time? Absolutely
not! Dr Dedenhoefer’s study from University of Central Florida indicates that with the amount of
time we spent online now, we all “have a tendency sometimes to say things via social media or other
platforms that maybe we wouldn’t say if we were face to face with someone”, and according to
DiLiberto, people tend to have this “knee-jerk reaction, rather than really investigating issues” when
they are confronted by things that are outrageous or terrible. Indeed, people often make impromptu
decisions that are not particularly beneficial to anyone. Despite all, it is not the style of Spotify to
deny or cancel impromptu opinions, but rather we take a step back and give them a second chance.
We believe “Outlawing dialogue between people who disagree”, denies people their right to learn
from their mistakes, and essentially misguide the youths to neglect the fact that failure teaches
success. Part of learning is LITERALLY reflecting on what one knows and thinks and realizes they can
see things differently.
Misha Ketchell, a writer The Conversation back in 2021 puts forward correctly that in democracies,
“free[dom] of expression” is not only something that is “celebrated,” but it is “essential to their
functioning.” I need not remind all of you of our First amendment, the “freedom of speech” we are
allowed to exercise within the United States of America. By removing podcasters or artists that we
deem are inappropriate or incorrect is essentially a panic reaction. Cancelling those on social media
that have different opinions to you is essentially the same as the witch trials of the 1950’s during the
Red Scare. McCarthy would be proud. But we are not McCarthy, nor should we aim to be. We are
not an echo chamber; we are a platform that hopefully (add emphasis to this word) promotes both
critical and necessary thought and progress. And we will not be pandering to the hysterical and
contagious nature of Cancel Culture.
Finally, I admit that yes, there have been times that Spotify has been in hot water, and I take
accountability for those times and misinformation is of course something that needs to NOT be
spread. As it can takeover the world like a virus. Archwell, for example, reported just last year that
co-founders of our company have been “expressing concerns” about the “all-too-real consequences
of Covid 19 misinformation” and we are taking these reports seriously when they are sold or passed
off as NEWS. But when they are simply conversations. Discussions between individuals, we will not
be hasty in removing these from our inclusive platform.
“I do not believe silencing Joe [Rogan] is the answer”. People are free to share their ideas. This is
how we got to where we are in society. The information age. The land of the free. In the worlds of
Voltaire, “Doubt is an unpleasant condition, but certainty is absurd.” And I will not be answering any
further questions.
Thank you you’re your time!