Is the woke content on Netflix &quot;unwatchable&quot;

Twitter Users and Critics Debate Elon Musk’s “Woke Virus” Claims as Netflix Faces Record Downfall

Recent breaking news has been weirdly contradictory. While we saw Bridgerton
season 2 break records and become the most-streamed English language show
[https://netflixjunkie.com/bridgerton-breaks-its-own-record-with-season-2-as-netflix-loses-200000-subscribers-how-such-irony/]
on Netflix, the streaming giant has lost 200k viewers in the first quarter of
2022. While there are many theories as to why this is happening, most of them
pertaining to the high price
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-netflix-is-increasing-subscription-price-in-uk-and-ireland-find-here-why-and-by-how-much/]
subscribers have to pay for Netflix, Elon Musk’s followers seem to be on an
entirely different page altogether. According to them, Netflix is losing
subscribers because the content on the platform is too “woke“. Here’s the tweet
that sparked yet another debate on this topic:

> The woke mind virus is making Netflix unwatchable
> 
> — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) April 20, 2022
> [https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1516600269899026432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]




WHAT EXACTLY IS “THE WOKE MIND VIRUS” AND IS NETFLIX ACTUALLY A CULPRIT OF THIS?

The definition of “woke” on Google reads “alert to injustice in society,
especially racism.” On Merriam Webster, it says “aware of and actively attentive
to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).”

If we strictly follow these definitions, we know that Netflix can indeed be
called “woke”. The platform is gaining a lot of attention for its inclusivity.
Politically incorrect content is a rarity, which comes across as a pleasant
surprise to many. A recent example is the Indian inclusivity
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-two-south-asians-edwina-sharma-bridgerton-and-deepti-vempati-love-is-blind-lead-self-love-by-examples-on-netflix/]
in its recent hit Netflix Original
[https://netflixjunkie.com/category/originals], Bridgerton
[https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/bridgerton]. Another one would be the upcoming
teenage drama Heartstopper [https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/heartstopper], that
surrounds two young men who find solace in each other.

> having openly queer british teens playing openly queer british teens in a tv
> series means so much to me because i didn't have that representation growing
> up and i think that's why I'm so attached to heartstopper
> 
> — elsie 📨 (@verkligtwilmon) April 13, 2022
> [https://twitter.com/verkligtwilmon/status/1514182959041060864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]



ALSO READ: These Parallels Between Netflix’s Heartstopper Trailer and the Alice
Oseman Webcomic Are a Treat to the Eyes
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-these-parallels-between-netflixs-heartstopper-trailer-and-the-alice-oseman-webcomic-are-a-treat-to-the-eyes/]

While a lot of fans love this, as is evident from the previous tweet, others
aren’t fans of the same. A lot of the population on Twitter truly believes that
content on Netflix is becoming “unwatchable” due to its being woke.

> Not just Netflix. Movies in general, videogames, tv, it's all infested with
> current year trend woke garbage for fear offending a green haired freak next
> to the ban button.
> 
> Nothing original anymore at all, except for media coming out of places like
> Japan or Korea,ironically
> ~cwb
> 
> — Niche Gamer (@nichegamer) April 20, 2022
> [https://twitter.com/nichegamer/status/1516605533301657607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]



ALSO READ: Best Movies With Female Leads on Netflix
[https://netflixjunkie.com/best-movies-with-female-leads-on-netflix-what-to-watch/]


WILL THIS PROVE TO BE AN ISSUE FOR THE PLATFORM IN THE FUTURE?

While Musk hasn’t directly correlated the loss of viewership on Netflix with
being woke, most of the discussion surrounding his tweet on social media
platforms seems to be about the same thing. While some agreed with him, others
were quick to point out how the platform was bound to struggle with increasing
competition. Netflix certainly doesn’t monopolize the OTT industry as it did
before.

> Ah, definitly the woke mind virus and not the 5 other major streaming services
> that have popped up during the last few years. I'm sure Disney and HBO have
> nothing to do with it. 🤦‍♂️
> 
> — JerryRigEverything (@ZacksJerryRig) April 20, 2022
> [https://twitter.com/ZacksJerryRig/status/1516635463078973442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]



As for the sudden surge in viewership, a user pointed out how it has nothing to
do with Netflix creating and promoting woke content on the platform, but
actually taking woke actions. This comes from the platform withdrawing its usage
in Russia after the country’s aggressive assault on Ukraine. If that wasn’t the
case, Netflix would have in fact gained
[https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/19/netflix-nflx-earnings-q1-2022.html] over 500k
subscribers.

> “The company said that the suspension of its service in Russia and the
> winding-down of all Russian paid memberships resulted in a loss of 700,000
> subscribers. Excluding this impact, Netflix would have seen 500,000 net
> additions during the most recent quarter.” pic.twitter.com/RC2e34QIHv
> [https://t.co/RC2e34QIHv]
> 
> — MiseryX ~This Machine Kills Fascists 📷 🇺🇦 (@MiseryXchord) April 20, 2022
> [https://twitter.com/MiseryXchord/status/1516693485419565057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw]



ALSO READ: “Insensitive” and “Unfunny”: Elon Musk Under Fire for His Tweet About
Netflix and the Ongoing War
[https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-insensitive-and-unfunny-elon-musk-under-fire-for-his-tweet-about-netflix-and-the-ongoing-war/]

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think Netflix
[https://netflixjunkie.com/category/news] is forcing woke content that renders
the platform “unwatchable” or is it just the discomfort of change after seeing
no representation from marginalized groups for centuries?

Safia Khanam

Comment

Twitter Users and Critics Debate Elon Musk’s “Woke Virus” Claims as Netflix Faces Record Downfall - Netflix Junkie

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A writer at Netflix Junkie, Safia Khanam is a Business Administration student with a passion for writing. Having been an avid reader and cinephile all her life, she enjoys sharing analysis and insights. The Intern, Dead Poets Society, and Anne With An E are her top preferences. When she’s not watching or reading anything, she likes to traverse the fields of calligraphy and other liberal arts. With an appreciation for culture and linguistics, she wishes to travel extensively and experience art and architecture firsthand.

https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-twitter-users-and-critics-debate-elon-musks-woke-virus-claims-as-netflix-faces-record-downfall

Twitter Users and Critics Debate Elon Musk’s “Woke Virus” Claims as Netflix Faces Record Downfall - netflix-junkie

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Recent breaking news has been weirdly contradictory. While we saw Bridgerton season 2 break records and become the <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/bridgerton-breaks-its-own-record-with-season-2-as-netflix-loses-200000-subscribers-how-such-irony/">most-streamed English language show</a> on Netflix, the streaming giant has lost 200k viewers in the first quarter of 2022. While there are many theories as to why this is happening, most of them pertaining to the <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-netflix-is-increasing-subscription-price-in-uk-and-ireland-find-here-why-and-by-how-much/">high price</a> subscribers have to pay for Netflix, Elon Musk&#8217;s followers seem to be on an entirely different page altogether. According to them, Netflix is losing subscribers because the content on the platform is too &#8220;woke&#8220;. Here&#8217;s the tweet that sparked yet another debate on this topic:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
The woke mind virus is making Netflix unwatchable
&mdash; Elon Musk (@elonmusk) <a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1516600269899026432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<h2>What exactly is &#8220;the woke mind virus&#8221; and is Netflix actually a culprit of this?</h2>
The definition of &#8220;woke&#8221; on Google reads &#8220;alert to injustice in society, especially racism.&#8221; On Merriam Webster, it says &#8220;aware of and actively attentive to important facts and issues (especially issues of racial and social justice).&#8221;
If we strictly follow these definitions, we know that Netflix can indeed be called &#8220;woke&#8221;. The platform is gaining a lot of attention for its inclusivity. Politically incorrect content is a rarity, which comes across as a pleasant surprise to many. A recent example is the <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-two-south-asians-edwina-sharma-bridgerton-and-deepti-vempati-love-is-blind-lead-self-love-by-examples-on-netflix/">Indian inclusivity</a> in its recent hit <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/category/originals">Netflix Original</a>, <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/bridgerton">Bridgerton</a>. Another one would be the upcoming teenage drama <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/tag/heartstopper">Heartstopper</a>, that surrounds two young men who find solace in each other.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
having openly queer british teens playing openly queer british teens in a tv series means so much to me because i didn&#39;t have that representation growing up and i think that&#39;s why I&#39;m so attached to heartstopper
&mdash; elsie 📨 (@verkligtwilmon) <a href="https://twitter.com/verkligtwilmon/status/1514182959041060864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-these-parallels-between-netflixs-heartstopper-trailer-and-the-alice-oseman-webcomic-are-a-treat-to-the-eyes/">These Parallels Between Netflix’s Heartstopper Trailer and the Alice Oseman Webcomic Are a Treat to the Eyes</a>
While a lot of fans love this, as is evident from the previous tweet, others aren&#8217;t fans of the same. A lot of the population on Twitter truly believes that content on Netflix is becoming &#8220;unwatchable&#8221; due to its being woke.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Not just Netflix. Movies in general, videogames, tv, it&#39;s all infested with current year trend woke garbage for fear offending a green haired freak next to the ban button.
Nothing original anymore at all, except for media coming out of places like Japan or Korea,ironically ~cwb
&mdash; Niche Gamer (@nichegamer) <a href="https://twitter.com/nichegamer/status/1516605533301657607?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/best-movies-with-female-leads-on-netflix-what-to-watch/">Best Movies With Female Leads on Netflix</a>
<h2>Will this prove to be an issue for the platform in the future?</h2>
While Musk hasn&#8217;t directly correlated the loss of viewership on Netflix with being woke, most of the discussion surrounding his tweet on social media platforms seems to be about the same thing. While some agreed with him, others were quick to point out how the platform was bound to struggle with increasing competition. Netflix certainly doesn&#8217;t monopolize the OTT industry as it did before.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Ah, definitly the woke mind virus and not the 5 other major streaming services that have popped up during the last few years. I&#39;m sure Disney and HBO have nothing to do with it. 🤦‍♂️
&mdash; JerryRigEverything (@ZacksJerryRig) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZacksJerryRig/status/1516635463078973442?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
As for the sudden surge in viewership, a user pointed out how it has nothing to do with Netflix creating and promoting woke content on the platform, but actually taking woke actions. This comes from the platform withdrawing its usage in Russia after the country&#8217;s aggressive assault on Ukraine. If that wasn&#8217;t the case, Netflix would have in fact <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/04/19/netflix-nflx-earnings-q1-2022.html">gained</a> over 500k subscribers.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
“The company said that the suspension of its service in Russia and the winding-down of all Russian paid memberships resulted in a loss of 700,000 subscribers. Excluding this impact, Netflix would have seen 500,000 net additions during the most recent quarter.” <a href="https://t.co/RC2e34QIHv">pic.twitter.com/RC2e34QIHv</a>
&mdash; MiseryX ~This Machine Kills Fascists 📷 🇺🇦 (@MiseryXchord) <a href="https://twitter.com/MiseryXchord/status/1516693485419565057?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 20, 2022</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
ALSO READ: <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-insensitive-and-unfunny-elon-musk-under-fire-for-his-tweet-about-netflix-and-the-ongoing-war/">“Insensitive” and “Unfunny”: Elon Musk Under Fire for His Tweet About Netflix and the Ongoing War</a>
What are your thoughts on this? Do you think <a href="https://netflixjunkie.com/category/news">Netflix</a> is forcing woke content that renders the platform &#8220;unwatchable&#8221; or is it just the discomfort of change after seeing no representation from marginalized groups for centuries?

Best Movies With Female Leads on Netflix

“Insensitive” and “Unfunny”: Elon Musk Under Fire for His Tweet About Netflix
and the Ongoing War

These Parallels Between Netflix’s Heartstopper Trailer and the Alice Oseman
Webcomic Are a Treat to the Eyes

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Is the woke content on Netflix "unwatchable", as Musk claims, or are we just uncomfortable with inclusivity?

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/3daae4ab2879e2fdb4a57738fdc5b175?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Is the woke content on Netflix &quot;unwatchable&quot;, as Musk claims, or are we just uncomfortable with inclusivity?

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https://www.netflixjunkie.com/netflix-news-twitter-users-and-critics-debate-elon-musks-woke-virus-claims-as-netflix-faces-record-downfall/

Twitter Users and Critics Debate Elon Musk’s “Woke Virus” Claims as Netflix Faces Record Downfall

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