I’ve been seeing the word grift used a lot lately, online and in the media. Like most things that rise out of nowhere, it looks as if either people don’t know what the word means or they just found a way to insult those they dislike without showing any proof of what they say. For some, I’d easily place them in the first category because, well, some people are just stupid and go along to get along, therefore will bark anything they’re told to bark. The others are the ones that lead the stupid, except in this case, it’s the stupid, leading the stupid. I don’t want to insult morons, but…

So what does the word grift actually mean? I think it’s possible that once that’s determined, it would be a lot easier to apply it where it truly belongs, if anywhere. According to a dictionary, a grift is a slang term for a confidence game or dishonest way to obtain money, typically through deception, fraud, or swindling. Where have i been seeing this word tossed around so liberally? Well, online with people making accusations against popular online personalities (podcasters) because they dislike what they say, as somehow attempting to fool the general public.

This seems odd to me since these podcasters receives millions of views of their content, daily. I would think that if there were some sort of deception going on, and a possible conspiracy betweebn them all, that someone, that doesn’t have a grudge against them because of their popularity, would be leading the charge. But that doesn’t exist. Those ringing the bell of inauthenticity seem to be smakk, jealous people simply because their stars are falling while these others have not only risen, but are still rising. The more accusations made, it seems the more people tune in to watch the latest episodes.

These are not televangelists. I mean, sure, you can join and support these creators on a monthly basis, but then that’s available to all online content creators. If we’re calling some grifters, don’t we have to apply this to all of them? I watch some YouTube videos where I am aware the creators on my screen are in fact, making money from their posts. Some are making a lot! I congratulate them because I don’t think I’d have the stamina to do what they do. Everyday.

So why are some who may be considered political, maybe even cultural, outcasts, labeled as grifters while their accusers, some of whom are highly paid , get a pass? If you’re making money from your opinion, and millions are subscribing and viewing your opinion daily, where’s the grift? No one forces anyone to listen to anyone elses opinion, ever, It must be something else. It might be that what they’re saying makes sense to some. In fact, maybe you’re actually hearing the truth where the other online and media accusers, wouldn’t know it if it slapped them in the face.

What’s the most obvious grift you can name. Right now. Quickly. Now, especially if you’re on any online platforms, begin making the claim that that’s a true grift. Then sit back.