Is that really the right way to think about it? Has Brand been convicted of any crime by any government? Seems more accurate to say Youtube is building an alternative security state. Heck, it's rather anarcho-capitalist if you ask me.
> Has Brand been convicted of any crime by any government?
No, he's punished without the due process of law.
And that's how most dictatorial regimes usually deal with miscreants. If you bad-mouthed Breznev nobody would bother with a show-trial unless there was some specific benefit of making you an example. In 9/10 cases they'd fire you from any semi-decent job and won't let your kids finish high school with more than 2.0 GPA.
Let's check for political bias here. Suppose I rewrote your comment so instead of talking about Russell Brand, I'm talking about the right-wing Budweiser boycott. Those right-wingers are punishing Budweiser without due process of law. Just like most dictatorial regimes. How worried are you?
That's the way I think about it based upon my perspective and experience.
> Has Brand been convicted of any crime by any government?
Remains to be seen. The police have been "urged" to investigate, according to the AP. Perhaps the "right way to think" hasn't revealed itself yet?
> Seems more accurate to say Youtube is building an alternative security state.
I see no reason to be so certain the government had no involvement in this case, which you would have to be in order to consider this more accurate than literally any other theory.
> Heck, it's rather anarcho-capitalist if you ask me.
Oh.. it's a "cool" way to undermine human society. I didn't realize.
You are witnessing the slow merging of Silicon Valley with the Security State. Buckle up. It gets super fun after this.