How I Turn Negative Online Comments into Positive Offline Conversations: Dylan Marron (Transcript)

Dylan Marron

Following is the full transcript of actor, writer and activist Dylan Marron’s TED Talk: How I Turn Negative Online Comments into Positive Offline Conversations.

TRANSCRIPT:

Hi. I’ve received hate online. A lot of it. And it comes with the territory of my work.

I’m a digital creator, I make things specifically for the internet. Like, a few years ago, I made a video series called “Every Single Word” where I edited down popular films to only the words spoken by people of color, as a way to empirically and accessibly talk about the issue of representation in Hollywood.

Then, later, as transphobic bathroom bill started gaining media attention around the United States, I hosted and produced an interview series called “Sitting in Bathrooms with Trans People” where I did exactly that. And then —

Sure, I’ll take applause. Thank you

And then, are you familiar with those unboxing videos on YouTube where YouTubers open up the latest electronic gadgets? Great, so I satirized those in a weekly series, where instead I unboxed intangible ideologies like police brutality, masculinity and the mistreatment of Native Americans. My work — Thanks. One person applauding, God bless. Mom, hi!

So, my work became popular. Very popular. I got millions of views, a ton of great press and a slew of new followers. But the flip side of success on the internet is internet hate. I was called everything From “beta” to “snowflake” and, of course, the ever-popular “cuck.” Don’t worry, I will break these terms down for you. So, “beta,” for those of you unfamiliar, is shorthand online lingo for “beta male.” But let’s be real, I wear pearl earrings and my fashion aesthetic is rich-white-woman-running-errands, so I’m not angling to be an alpha. Doesn’t totally work.