Human Rights, A Spectacle; A Rhetorical Analysis of YouTube Debates
Location
Ponderosa Room D
Presentation Type
Presentation
Presentation Topic
Human Rights, Debate, Rhetoric, Entertainment
Start Date
6-3-2026 2:30 PM
Event Sort Order
47
Abstract
Human rights have been at the forefront of modern debates since World War II. Mostly being platformed in conventions and courts that must follow decorum and policy. However, in the 21st century debates are now being platformed online where entertainment and standing out is more important than genuine deliberation. This study argues that if the struggle for civil and human rights becomes a form of entertainment then extremist ideology is seen as an equal and valued oppositional perspective against civil rights struggles. Thus in turn inciting more division and violence. This study will utilize rhetorical analysis and human rights theory to analyze and predict communicative patterns present in YouTube debates, answering how entertainment commodification of human rights debates breeds extremism, division, and violence.
Human Rights, A Spectacle; A Rhetorical Analysis of YouTube Debates
Ponderosa Room D
Human rights have been at the forefront of modern debates since World War II. Mostly being platformed in conventions and courts that must follow decorum and policy. However, in the 21st century debates are now being platformed online where entertainment and standing out is more important than genuine deliberation. This study argues that if the struggle for civil and human rights becomes a form of entertainment then extremist ideology is seen as an equal and valued oppositional perspective against civil rights struggles. Thus in turn inciting more division and violence. This study will utilize rhetorical analysis and human rights theory to analyze and predict communicative patterns present in YouTube debates, answering how entertainment commodification of human rights debates breeds extremism, division, and violence.
Presenter Bio
Oliver Engelke (he/him) is an undergraduate at University of Nebraska-Lincoln in Communication Studies and Women and Gender Studies with three minors. Oliver focuses heavily on rhetorical studies and its intersection with minorities and human rights. He hopes to be a professor his field and help make the world a better place for everyone. He can often be found at local coffee shops or at home reading with his two cats.