Lula Dean's Little Library of Banned Books

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussions of violence, suicide, sexual assault, enslavement, physical and emotional abuse, antisemitism, anti-LGBTQ+ bias, and murder.

Mass media is a symbol of the ubiquitous presence of information in the digital age. It relates to the theme of The Information Wars and frequently serves to advance the plot. Mitch’s text bemoaning the diminished respect for white men in American culture gains him a large online following. Though Mitch is apolitical, Trump and the MAGA movement find his comments useful in advancing their narrative that America was better back in the day when white men ruled. Soon, the actor finds himself center stage with more media attention than he ever dreamed of receiving. The same conservative news sources terrorize Kevin Kelly’s parents with their constant broadcasts about a fictitious crime spree afflicting the entire country.

Social media also plays a role in the conflict among community members Troy. Lula declares her intention to ban books in town via a Facebook post. Beverly uses Facebook to find the rest of Augustus Wainwright’s descendants and organize a reunion for them. Network coverage soon follows the social media campaigns of both women.