Kyle Larson

ALT We introduce parasitic publics as a necessary, generative addition to publics scholarship. Parasitic publics are reactionary discursive spaces formed residually, institutionalized affectively through invention, circulation, & uptake of demagogic rhetorics. They feed off of oppressive conditions in the public sphere by (1) articulating with dominant discourses to exploit these publics’ centripetal force & (2) safeguarding the assemblage of dominant publics against counterdiscursive challenge. To illustrate & elaborate on this concept, we use articulation theory to analyze a highly organized white nationalist collective that swarms digital forums & comment sections. Founded by a former Republican aid & Reagan appointee, they maintain training podcasts on their politics & debate strategies, two different rhetoric databases, two rhetorical style guides, & a sub-forum for directing each other to swarm digital spaces. We conclude with implications for future research and public spheres.