Revisiting August Deluge: A Moment in Time
In 2020, the world teetered on the edge of chaos. A pandemic ravaged the globe, protests filled the streets, and political polarization deepened. In the midst of this upheaval, August Deluge emerged as a project to document, critique, and reflect on these turbulent times. It became a digital archive of propaganda, manipulation, and systemic inequities — an artistic intervention aimed at making the invisible visible.
August Deluge was not just my reaction to the events of the moment; it was a call to accountability and a release valve for my grievances.
Through essays, social media analysis, and proof-of-concept experiments like the Reverse Trump Stress Tax NFTs, it sought to highlight the mechanisms of control and division while inviting individuals to question their own roles within these systems. While some concepts were not fully realized, the focus remained on documenting and archiving the critical elements of the era.
The Archive: A Critical Component of the Project
Central to the August Deluge project is its archive — a curated collection of indexed advertisements, social media content, and documentation of political messaging strategies. This archive is more than a repository; it is a testament to the deliberate and coordinated tactics used to manipulate public opinion, polarize communities, and undermine democratic systems.
What’s Included in the Download?
The August Deluge archive is a compact yet comprehensive resource, including:
- Medium Articles: Original essays and reflections documenting the cultural, political, and technological dynamics of 2020.
- Twitter Archive: Plain-text exports of tweets from the August Deluge account, capturing a real-time chronicle of events and commentary.
- Indexed Advertisements: Screenshots and data from political advertisements, revealing manipulation and targeting strategies.
- Key Exports: Drafts, files, and curated materials developed during the project’s creation, providing a behind-the-scenes look at its evolution.
- Contextual Snapshots: Supplemental materials that help freeze the dynamic internet — similar to preserving a VHS recording, including the ads, visuals, and surrounding details of the moment.
These components are designed to provide a robust snapshot of the era, ensuring accessibility and relevance for future reference and inspiration.
Why the Archive Matters
- Historical Evidence: The indexed content offers a window into how propaganda was weaponized to sow division and consolidate power. It provides a clear picture of the strategies used by Trump and his team to erode trust in democratic institutions.
- Accountability: By preserving this content, the archive serves as a tool for future investigations, ensuring that the actions and intents of those in power are not erased or forgotten.
- Shared Proof: The archive acts as a Context Capsule — a snapshot in time that provides certainty and shared evidence, even as the digital landscape changes. Much like a home VHS recording captures not just a movie but also the commercials and imagery of its era, this archive preserves a dynamic, ephemeral internet moment for future understanding.
Accessing the Archive
The August Deluge archive is available for download, offered as a pay-what-you-want resource. This approach ensures accessibility while inviting those who find value in its preservation to support the project.
Support Luke & Download the Archive
The archive includes special materials never seen before, including a letter submitted to the J6 Committee.
Online Archive for Free
A central aim of August Deluge is to inspire others — journalists, artists, and everyday individuals — to document the world from their own perspectives. Currently many of August’s materials are available online in their original format, for free.
The Lingering Relevance of August Deluge
Years later, these themes of August Deluge remain alarmingly relevant. Propaganda and misinformation continue to shape public discourse. Systemic inequities persist, often exacerbated by the very tools designed to connect us. The insights captured in August Deluge now serve as a foundation for understanding and addressing these enduring challenges.
Propaganda in a Digital Age
- The documentation of political advertising and misinformation during the Trump era highlighted the ways in which digital tools are weaponized to manipulate emotions and polarize communities.
- These same tactics persist today, underscoring the need for transparent communication systems and media literacy.
Systemic Inertia and Inequity
- The critiques of governance and systemic inequities in August Deluge echo in today’s struggles with climate adaptation, economic volatility, and social justice.
- Addressing these issues requires not just critique but the creation of adaptive, equitable systems.
