Podcast Summary: The Karol Markowicz Show – The Death of Clickbait? Culture, AI, and Human Connection with John Hawkins

Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show
Episode Host: Karol Markowicz
Guest: John Hawkins (culturecidal.com, formerly Right Wing News)
Date: December 17, 2025

Episode Overview

On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol reconnects with John Hawkins, a veteran conservative blogger now running Culturecidal.com, to explore the death of clickbait, the evolution of online culture, the potential societal impact of artificial intelligence, and the challenges of human connection in the digital age. With warmth, humor, and candor, they delve into media, the utility of old-school blogging, friendship dilemmas, and envision a rapidly changing future influenced by technology.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Origins and Evolution of Right Wing News (03:10–05:28)

• Karol and John reminisce about their blogging roots, sparked by the contentious 2000 election.

• John shares how frustration with election media coverage drove him to start Right Wing News, which grew rapidly both as a blog and later through Facebook virality.

• Notable anecdote: Ben Shapiro once suggested they team up, potentially prefiguring The Daily Wire.

  "Ben Shapiro reached out to me and he suggested that me, him, Kurt Schlichter... we all get together and run Right Wing News. And I didn’t take him up on it. But now it’s like, man, maybe that could have been the Daily Wire." —John Hawkins (04:27)

2. From Clickbait to Meaningful Content (05:28–07:09)

• John discusses the mission of Culturecidal.com: essays on culture, self-help, and some politics, aiming for substance over clickbait.

• Critique of “rage bait” and drama content: Cites Candace Owens making “soap operas with real people,” which he finds toxic.

  "I did some of that [clickbait] back in the day... I don't want to do it anymore. I don't think it's healthy. I think it's really awful and I didn't want to be a part of that." —John Hawkins (05:32)

3. Advice for Young Adults and Writing Books (07:09–08:54)

• John’s book, 101 Things All Young Adults Should Know, offers evergreen self-help advice.
• He’s received positive feedback, with readers and their families reaching out for guidance.
• Acknowledges timelessness of core life lessons, even as the world changes.

4. Friendship & Loneliness in the Internet Era (09:25–13:59)

• Karol notes the recurrent question from listeners: “How do I make friends?”

• John reflects on social connection shifting from in-person to virtual, making real friendships harder to forge.

• Stresses proactive effort: initiating contact, joining group meetups—even if using aging platforms like Meetup.

• Both agree it's gotten harder with age, work-from-home lifestyles, and established social circles.

  "You've got to be the one that asks. You've got to be the one that reaches out." —John Hawkins (12:55)

5. Life Paths, Careers, and Authenticity (14:01–17:09)

• John recalls his alternative career options: stand-up comedy, law, politics, counseling.

• Emphasizes value of creating your own path, especially to retain autonomy.

• Shares about having a life coach for a decade — highlighting the unique value of an unbiased confidant.

  "You can't tell anybody everything. ...I like to run ideas by another smart person who understands psychology, understands people. And that's what it does for me." —John Hawkins (16:57)

6. Proudest Accomplishments (22:41–24:39)

• John weighs standard achievements (successful websites, fundraising, large teams) versus personal life design and freedom.

• Ultimately most proud of creating a lifestyle with maximum autonomy — choosing how to spend his time.

  "...the thing I was actually proud of...was the first time I ever loved a girl and she loved me back...But...it's the fact that I managed to set my life up in a way that I can get up when I want to get up...I go where I want to go with who I want to go with." —John Hawkins (22:46, 23:47)

7. The Future: AI, Jobs, and Society (24:59–29:46)

• John predicts that within five years, most digital human-to-human interactions (Hollywood, influencers, models, some journalism) will be taken over by AI.

• Foresees massive societal change; worries about decline of human connection and implications for birth rates.

• Envisions two futures: a bleak one where humans become superfluous, and a rosy "universal basic wealth" scenario akin to Star Trek.

  "In five years...everything that involves a human being interacting with another human being over a screen will be replaced by AI." —John Hawkins (24:59)
  "I don't think people are going to be breeding in 10 years...We're basically going to need matrix style tubes to keep the human race going." —John Hawkins (26:38)

8. Actionable Life Advice & Final Thoughts (30:05–30:52)

• John’s top advice centers on:

  • Pareto Principle: Focus on the 20% of things that deliver 80% of fulfillment or value.
  • Cut out what you dislike — e.g., outsourcing unpleasant tasks.
  • Life is cumulative: Small decisions today shape your distant future.

  "Life is cumulative. So don't ever think, oh, it doesn't matter if I do this, 30 years from now, these little decisions you make today are going to have an impact." —John Hawkins (30:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Internet’s impact:
  "Before the Internet, people got together in person a lot more. And then when the Internet just started, man, I met all kinds of people. The Internet was like an extension of the real world." —John Hawkins (10:10)

• On Candace Owens and online drama:
  "You've got Candace Owens just running around making up stuff. She's running soap operas with real people." —John Hawkins (05:32)

• On friendship:
  "Don’t be afraid to reach out first, to go talk to people, to be the one who talks to everybody around you." —John Hawkins (12:55)

• On AI and the future of work:
  “If you look where it's at visually now, it’s there...in another two years...you’ll be able to do full Hollywood quality movies on your computer in an hour.” —John Hawkins (24:59)

• On having a life coach:
  "I like to run ideas by another smart person who understands psychology, understands people. And that's what it does for me." —John Hawkins (16:57)

• On life advice:
  "Find the stuff—the 20% most valuable, important things in your life...get more of them...Take the worst things...and cut it out and get rid of it." —John Hawkins (30:05)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [03:10] — Origins of blogging in the 2000 election
• [04:27] — Ben Shapiro’s pitch and the missed “Daily Wire” moment
• [05:28] — The shift from clickbait to Culturecidal’s focus
• [09:25] — Making friends in the digital age
• [12:55] — Practical friendship and connection advice
• [14:01] — John’s alternate careers and life coaching
• [22:41] — Reflections on life achievements and freedom
• [24:59] — Five-year AI prediction and the future of digital content
• [26:38] — AI’s impact on human connection and fertility
• [30:05] — John’s practical life advice (Pareto Principle & cumulative impact)

Tone & Atmosphere

The conversation is friendly, candid, and insightful—infused with self-deprecating humor, nostalgia for early internet days, and a pragmatic, sometimes sobering outlook on technology and cultural shifts.

Concluding Thought

This episode is a wide-ranging, thought-provoking discussion for anyone interested in the crossroads of media, technology, and human connection, offering practical wisdom on adaptation and fulfillment in today’s ever-shifting landscape.