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Best iPhone 14 cases available for purchase: New CASETiFY collections, golf case, more

by 9to5mac.com Leave a Comment

Our annual collection of the best iPhone 14 cases has arrived and has now been updated with new designs, brands, and more. You’ll find all of the best iPhone 14 cases available anywhere from wallet models and eco-conscious treatments to protective sheaths, logo-free clear options, artistic designs, handcrafted wooden covers, and more. Apple’s official silicone, leather, and clear MagSafe iPhone 14 cases are present as well as all of the latest collections from our favorite brands, with everything organized for you down below alongside some hands-on reviews (be sure to check back regularly for more). Head below for a closer look at the best iPhone 14 cases, including the base model, iPhone 14 Plus, Pro, and Pro Max options, now available for purchase.

Best iPhone 14 cases now available

Update 2/6/2023: Our roundup of the best iPhone 14 cases has now been updated once again with a  brand new batch of the latest releases in the space – be sure to check out the top iPhone 14 cases of the year in various categories as well. As we approach the second half of the iPhone 14’s first year out in the wild, new collections from CASETiFY have now surfaced including its first official crossover campaign with the Magic Kingdom featuring Disney Mickey and friends designs for Apple’s latest. The brand also launched a new lineup of covers for iPhone, AirTags, AirPods, and more with its new CASETiFY x Minions range – both of which can be found down below. Just be sure to also scope out the “clearest and most protective Clear Case” for iPhone 14 from the brand as well.

We have also just spotted a unique new design from the folks at ROKFORM by way of the “first-ever iPhone case developed for golf” with MAGMAX tech. This one features 16 specially designed extra strength MAGMAX MagSafe-compatible magnets as well additional lower magnetic near the lower-third of the case to allow your device to securely stick directly onto the small metal arm that supports the roof of a typical golf cart. You’ll find even more details on this one right here and down below.

This post will be updated for months to come as more interesting and staple iPhone cases become available. We have now added more brands and some screen protectors with additional options on the way .

Apple iPhone 14 cases

For some folks, the first-party covers were and are always going to be the best iPhone 14 cases out there. This year’s Apple lineup, as you’ll know from our launch coverage , includes the usual clear cases as well as a host of fresh new colorways including Sunglow, Succulent, Lilac, Elderberry, Chalk Pink, Storm Blue, Midnight, and Red as well as options like Umber, Forest Green, Ink, Dark Cherry, Midnight, Golden Brown, Sequoia Green, Wisteria, and Orange on the leather side of things.

As of right now they are all available directly from Apple, but you will also find them in an official capacity over at Amazon if you don’t score one while you’re pre-ordering your new handset later this week.

*** Apple Silicone and Leather cases for iPhone 14, 14 Plus , 14 Pro , and Pro Max are starting to go live on Amazon.

  • iPhone 14 Plus Silicone Case with MagSafe $49
  • iPhone 14 Silicone Case with MagSafe $49
  • iPhone 14 Pro Silicone Case with MagSafe $49
  • iPhone 14 Pro Max Silicone Case with MagSafe $49
  • Also directly from Apple

Featured: Totallee

Totallee’s new lineup of iPhone 14 cases is among the best barely-there, minimalist options you’ll find. This year’s collection is available in two clear versions and five colors.

  • Totallee Clear iPhone 14 cases $39
  • Totallee Clear iPhone 14 Plus cases $39
  • Totallee Clear iPhone 14 Pro cases $39
  • Totallee Clear iPhone 14 Pro Max cases $39
  • Totallee Color iPhone 14 cases $39
  • Totallee Color iPhone 14 Plus cases $39
  • Totallee Color iPhone 14 Pro cases $39
  • Totallee Color iPhone 14 Pro Max cases $39

Review: Are Totallee’s barely-there, branding-free iPhone 14 cases worth the price tag?

More from 9to5Toys: Totallee unveils new stealthy all-black and frosted MagSafe iPhone 14 cases, plus more

Featured: Dbrand iPhone 14 cases

Dbrand is once again landing in our best iPhone 14 case roundup with its clicky buttons, MagSafe-compatibility, and textured approach that features thousands of microscopic ridges spanning the surface of the new Grip case. At just 2mm thin, it is looking to minimize its carry footprint alongside offering up customizable backplates, camera array protection so you can set your device down worry-free, and what the company refers to as the Crescent Arc designed for simple edge to edge swiping.

  • Dbrand Grip iPhone 14 case from $45
  • Dbrand Grip iPhone 14 Plus case from $45
  • Dbrand Grip iPhone 14 Pro case from $45
  • Dbrand Grip iPhone 14 Pro Max case from $45

Review: Hands-on with dbrand’s extra grippy iPhone 14 case and customizable 3M skins

Featured: SUPCASE and i-Blason

SUPCASE is now ready with its ultra-protective UB Pro cases for iPhone 14, delivering built-in kickstands that double as ring holders, alongside integrated screen protection, and a belt-clip holster that rotates 360 degrees. The UB Pro – “winner of CNET’s annual drop test with highest total feet” – is joined by the new UB Pro Mag that delvers the same rugged design but with MagSafe compatibility (here’s our hands-on review of the iPhone 13 model ). These listings are going in and out of stock but will presumably remain available shortly .

The i-Blason models landing in our best iPhone 14 cases roundup are the Armorbox and the Ares, another pair of protective covers. Described as “unbeatable protection for $25,” the Armorbox features a portrait- and landscape-ready kickstand that doubles as a ring holder alongside built-in screen protection and 360-degree belt-clip holster. The Ares, on the other hand, delivers 20 feet of drop protection constructed of shock absorbing TPU and unbending polycarbonate. It has a clear backing to show off your new iPhone 14’s design alongside a built-in screen protector and raised edges to protect your display.

Spigen

More details on 9to5Toys : Spigen’s iPhone 14 case collection arrives from $14 with new models at up to 10% off

Review: Spigen’s iPhone 14 cases remain as some of the best bang for your buck out there

Ringke

The new Ringke models are now on sale from $9.50 and you can get more details on the price drops right here.

  • Ringke iPhone 14 collection from $13
    • Fusion, Fusion-X military, Air, Onyx, Fusion Bumper
  • Ringke iPhone 14 Plus collection from $13
    • Fusion, Fusion Card, Air, Onyx, Fusion Bumper
  • Ringke iPhone 14 Pro collection from $13
    • Fusion, Fusion Card, Air, Onyx, Fusion Bumper
  • Ringke iPhone 14 Pro Max collection from $14
    • Fusion, Fusion-X military, Air, Onyx, Fusion Bumper

More details on 9to5Toys: Ringke’s already affordable iPhone 14 cases just dropped 35% off with deals from $8.50

Incipio

Incipio’s collection last year was among the more popular options in the price range, and it is once again returning with sustainable materials and antimicrobial protection that “prevents 99.9% of surface bacteria” on select models. MagSafe compatibility, up to 16-foot drop protection, and more are also joined by this year’s 100% compostable Organicore models ( hands-on review of the 2021 model ) in our list of the best iPhone 14 cases.

  • Incipio iPhone 14 case collection from $35
    • Organicore, Organicore Clear, Duo and Duo for MagSafe, Grip and Grip for MagSafe, Idol and Idol for MagSafe, AeroGrip for MagSafe, Forme and Forme for MagSafe

More details on 9to5Toys: Incipio iPhone 14 cases: 3 new MagSafe models, 100% plant-based options, and more

Review: Incipio’s 100% biodegradable iPhone 14 case plants a tree on your behalf

Alto custom laser-engraved wood iPhone 14 cases

Alto is a new entry to our collection of the best iPhone 14 cases now available for purchase. Delivering custom made to order iPhone 14 covers starting from $36 , this family run business sources “beautiful woods locally from FSC certified lumber mills and distributors” with water-based and food-safe finishes to create cases made from 99% biodegradable and recyclable components. But arguably the most interesting aspect of the Qi wireless/MagSafe-ready Alto cases is the brand’s laser engraving technique that allows customers to use the live preview tool and upload their own designs to feature on the case back.

We’ve had a chance to get an early run of this cased delivered to the office with the black laser engraving and burl wood patterns being standouts thus far. Full review inbound.

Alto wood grain, custom laser-engraved, more iPhone 14 cases from $36

*** Use code 9TO5MAC to get 10% off your entire order .

Review: Alto wraps your iPhone 14 in unique wood grains/colors with custom laser engraving

More details on 9to5Toys : Alto’s custom laser-carved burl wood case designs for iPhone 14 with exclusive launch deal

MUJJO

MUJJO is launching its most eco-friendly collection to date this year alongside a slew of new customer-requested features. Lined with Japanese microfibre, the new MUJJO covers land in our roundup of the best iPhone 14 cases with low environmental impact Ecco Leather that is vegetable-tanned in the Netherlands. Ready for iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 14 Max, and iPhone 14 Pro Max in brown, blue, or black, they also ship with or without the three-card wallet-style pocket.

MUJJO Ecco Leather iPhone 14 cases from $54

Review: MUJJO’s leather and microfiber iPhone 14 cases with machined metal buttons

More details on 9to5Toys : MUJJO unveils new Ecco Leather iPhone 14 cases with optional wallet pockets

Native Union

More details on 9to5Toys : Wrap your Dynamic Island in Pad & Quill’s Pro leather iPhone 14 wallet cases at 28% off

Twelve South

The Twelve South iPhone 14 BookBook case with the pull-away inner magnetic case is now up for pre-order. “BookBook for iPhone streamlines your everyday carry by combining a wallet and iPhone case into a little luxurious leather book. There’s room for your ID, bank cards and cash. Your iPhone is securely and safely held in a magnetic leather shell so you can easily separate your wallet and phone for charging or times when you only need your iPhone.”

Twelve South BookBook for iPhone 14 $70

More details on 9to5Toys : Twelve South’s signature leather iPhone 14 MagSafe folios go up for pre-order on launch day

CYRILL

CYRILL, a Spigen sister brand, is now dishing up deals on its latest covers including the the floral Cecile models, Kajuk, clear MagSafe, strap-equipped Charm, UltraColor Mag, and more from $20.

Review: Cyrill’s affordable vegan leather/suede MagSafe wallet is worth a closer look

More details on 9to5Toys : Spigen sister brand CYRILL offers Amazon launch deals on new iPhone 14 cases from $20

SANDMARC

SANDMARC’s new “industrial grade polymer” the full-grain leather iPhone 14 cases with gorgeous gunmetal aluminum machined threading around the camera array are now live from $36 . Use code 9TO5TOYS to knock 10% off your order.

More details on 9to5Toys : SANDMARC’s leather iPhone 14 Pro cases with machined metal threading now 10% off

SANDMARC has now also unveiled its brand new navy blue and teal editions of its full-grain leather iPhone 14 cases marking the very first time you have been able to score one of its fantastic machined aluminum and leather cases in any other color than black or brown. Use code 9TO5TOYS at checkout to score 10% off both of them.

DODOcase custom iPhone 14 cases

The new DODOcase options are beginning to go live including its online editor where customers can design a bespoke cover including the exterior/interior case color and pattern, spine, elastic closure color, and more.

Custom iPhone 14 cases from $65

More details on 9to5Toys : Design your very own bespoke leather iPhone 14 book-style DODOcase, plus more from $35

More details on 9to5Toys : Nomad refreshes popular leather case collection for Apple’s new iPhone 14 series

Moment

Moment is a mainstay in our annual best iPhone 14 cases roundup, and its new iPhoneography lineup is now live:

Moment iPhone 14 series cases are marked down to $39.99 for a limited time.

More details on 9to5Toys : Moment updates popular MagSafe photography case for iPhone 14 series handsets

CASETIFY

CASETIFY’s new cases have arrived ! The well-known and beloved Impact and Ultra Impact are getting enhanced for iPhone 14 but it is also introducing what it calls the most protective case out there with the new Bounce model .

You can get a full rundown of all the brand’s latest tech and designs right here .

Review: CASETiFY’s new Bounce iPhone 14 cases pack extra protection in a slim design

More details on 9to5Toys:

elago

The new elago models are now live starting from just $10 Prime shipped (watch out for the on-page coupons via Amazon) including the Glide Armor, clear, magnetic options, and more.

More details on 9to5Toys : elago’s new liquid silicone iPhone 14 collection is now live at up to 10% off with deals from $11.50

ESR’s best iPhone 14 cases now at least 10% off

You can browse through all of the new ESR affordable iPhone 14 cases on its official site , but as we mentioned above, you’ll want to scope out the iPhone 14 , 14 Plus , 14 Pro , and Pro Max listings via its official Amazon storefront where they are much less expensive.

More details on 9to5Toys : ESR debuts new affordable MagSafe HaloLock iPhone 14 cases from just $12.50 (10% off)

OtterBox

The new OtterBox lineup is now live including the Symmetry Series, protective Defender Series, and more with pricing starting from $40 .

More details on 9to5Toys : OtterBox refreshes iPhone 14 case lineup with new collection of rugged MagSafe covers

Urban Armor Gear

Urban Armor Gear’s new iPhone 14 collection is now live directly on the official site and via its official Amazon storefront with Prime shipping. Delivering a range of ultra-protective models featuring “industry-leading drop protection. an ultralight impact frame, airsoft corners, and featherlight composite construction.” You’ll also find “DuPont Kevlar materials and forward-thinking biodegradable case options” joining MagSafe integration and more. Pricing starts from $40 on the cases and $25 for its Glass Protector Shields.

PopSockets

The new PopSockets PlantCore iPhone 14 PopCase starts at $40 is now available for pre-order in a range of styles via the official site. You’ll also, much like year’s past, find a host of matching MagSafe grips, wallets, and battery packs are available ranging from $30 to $75 .

More details on 9to5Toys : PopSockets launches adorable, must-see Pokémon iPhone 14 grips, cases, and wallets

More details on 9to5Toys : New PlantCore MagSafe iPhone 14 PopCase from PopSockets with slide grip

Casely

Casely’s wild designs, patterns, and colorways are now live with MagSafe action and, best of all, a 30% discount when you use our exclusive 9to5mac30 code at checkout.

Casely MagSafe case collection from $24.50

Review: Casely wraps your iPhone 14 in painterly MagSafe designs and bold patterns

Velvet Caviar’s best iPhone 14 cases now 20% off

Use code 9to5Mac at checkout to score 20% off all Velvet Caviar models

Peak Design iPhone 14 cases

The Peak Design cases are now live online with the same fabric-wrapped shell in charcoal or sage green we were fans of after going hands on with last year’s lineup. You can get a closer look at those right here and expect a full review of the 2022 models coming shortly.

Peak Design EveryDay fabric iPhone 14 case from $40

More details on 9to5Toys : Peak Design’s new fabric-wrapped charcoal and sage iPhone 14 MagSafe cases are now live

Coach

Coach is once again expanding on its 81 years of rich heritage to deliver “iconic, fashion-forward, and eco-conscious products to the mobile space” and Apple’s latest handset. On top of recycled plastics and MagSafe-compatibility, you’ll find new models featuring the brand’s Signature Ombre, Punk Rose/Floral, and Ivory Rexy designs along with its historical Coach prints such as Black Emboss and Signature Tan.

  • Coach Folio, Wrap, and Protective cases from $55

Review: Coach’s designer magnetic iPhone 14 leather folio wallet with removable inner case

More details on 9to5Toys : Coach’s fashion-forward Italian leather and canvas iPhone 14 cases have arrived

Caseology

Caseology’s Skyfall, Parallax Mag, NanoPop, Capella, and more designs are now live starting from $19 Prime shipped .

NanoPop features integrated magnets will keep your device secure and aligned and are compatible with MagSafe chargers…Bold, contrasting two-tone colors and protective raised camera ring design creates a sporty and playful look

Caseology intros new iPhone 14 MagSafe wallet in 5 colors, now available at $20 (Reg. $25)

Journey iPhone 14 leather case

The Journey iPhone 14, 14 Plus, Pro, and Pro Max cases are now live at $39 with a bonus 20% off during the pre-order phase using code TAKE20 at checkout.

  • Journey Leather iPhone 14 Cases $39

Caudabe’s best iPhone 14 cases

More details on 9to5Toys : Caudabe intros redesigned dot matrix Synthesis MagSafe iPhone 14 cases, plus more from $27

Case-Mate

Case-Mate annual lineup of sparkling and shimmering cases are now live alongside the unique BLOX design, Brilliance Chandelier, and much more starting from $20 .

Case-Mate iPhone 14 , 14 Plus , 14 Pro , Pro Max from $20

  • Withstands falls of up to 6ft (1.5m)
  • Machined buttons for the original iPhone experience
  • Full grain leather from the Netherlands.
  • MagSafe compatible
  • Raised edge around the camera cut-out

New Speck iPhone 14 cases

More details on 9to5Toys : Speck iPhone 14 cases with antimicrobial covers, MagSafe action, and glitter crystals are here

Kate Spade

More details on 9to5Toys : Kate Spade iPhone 14 case collection: Chunky Glitter, floral MagSafe, pebbled leather, more

Mous

The Mous Limitless, Clarity and Evolution cases have arrived for iPhone 14 alongside “two brand new, never-before-seen cases” known as Limitless 5.0 and the MagSafe compatible Clarity 2.0. Pricing starts from $55 .

CLCKR

9to5Mac readers can now land an exclusive 20% off the new CLCKR Stand & Grip iPhone 14 case using code 9TO5MAC . Pricing starts from $32 .

More details on 9to5Toys : CLCKR offers exclusive 20% off its new full-hand grip and stand iPhone 14 cases for 9to5 readers

Catalyst

Smartish

More details on 9to5Toys : New Smartish iPhone 14 cases: Crossbody strap, side-entry wallets, MagSafe, more from $15

Review: Smartish Saffiano-textured Wallet Slayer iPhone 14 case with novel card kickstand

Bellroy iPhone 14 cases

More from 9to5Toys: Bellroy iPhone 14 cases arrive with modular mix and match wallets, compostable bamboo, more

Review: Is Bellroy’s eco leather iPhone case and MagSafe rail wallet system worth the price?

New ROKFORM iPhone 14 cases

The new Eagle 3 iPhone Golf Case is now available for purchase for “iPhone 13 and 14 models at $69.99 .

More from 9to5Toys: ROKFORM debuts ‘first-ever iPhone case developed for golf’ with MAGMAX tech

Screen Protectors

JETech’s iPhone 14 glass and privacy screen protectors up to 50% off, 3-packs from $4

And more Coming soon….

What is the best iPhone 14 case?

Everyone has different needs here, whether it’s an ultra-protective option, something more affordable, a folio-style leather wallet solution, or super minimalist clear iPhone 14 case. Needless to say, you’ll find the best iPhone 14 cases for all of the latest models listed above with even deeper dives available over at 9to5Toys (links to complete breakdowns for most of the new case collections are found in each section above). Most of our favorite brands have now launched new covers for Apple’s latest handsets and any of the stragglers will get added to our roundup of the best iPhone 14 cases as they go live.

Do iPhone 13 cases fit iPhone 14?

As you can see in our detailed breakdown , due to some small changes in the overall form-factor and the slight shift on the size and location of the power button for iPhone 14, the short answer is no. On the Pro side of things, the camera bump is even larger than previous-generation models alongside increased thickness and height, among other things. That means the iPhone 13 Pro cases almost certainly won’t fit the iPhone 14 Pro, at least not properly anyway.

Where do I get the best iPhone 14 case deals?

Well, 9to5Toys of course! The editors at 9to5Toys are scouring the internet everyday of the year for the best prices drop on Apple gear, smart home tech, and much more, including iPhone 14 case deals. Many of the best brands, including Spigen and others are already offering solid discounts and you’ll also find some exclusive discount codes for 9to5 readers scattered throughout this post with more inbound everyday.

Check out 9to5Mac on YouTube for more Apple news:

From Finance To Comedy – The Story Of How Supersnake Changed This Creator’s Career

by www.forbes.com Leave a Comment

In the Passion economy, a recurring topic is that (seemingly) silly jokes or content can open distant and locked doors and give people unexpected access to an exclusive world.

When asked about what to do in life, young people tend to mention becoming a pilot, race car driver or doctor. Increasingly, studies have also shown that Youtuber is becoming one of the most sought-after careers for teenagers. However, few seem to have considered a career in memeology. Supersnake is a forerunner in high-level memeology and can best be defined as a meme maker with creative copywriting and a visual imagination that enable the creator behind the account to produce memes that certain people can relate to and have a good laugh about.

What started out as a harmless bet between the founder Andreas Metaxa, who used to work in finance, and his friends quickly turned into what he now refers to as his new job. After seeing that his followers came back for what he created, Supersnake realized that he wanted to keep going in the same direction and provide people with high society satire.

Supersnake is an Instagram account filled with clever memes that analyze the most prominent “walking contradictions” found among the upper classes through a variety of “Starter Pack” memes. No one is safe from the Supersnake, especially not the wealthy students at boarding schools, nor the “Old Money Patriarchs”, nor the bouncers in Ibiza.

The account attracts several A-list super fans, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, according to Metaxa because “it is an honest and fearless review of society.”

Supersnake also has its own online store with a wide variety of merchandise for being a wealthy nomad traveling the world and “making mistakes on every continent.”

The comedy featured on the Supersnake Instagram account can be described as satirical quips. The memes are targeted toward “rich people problems”, such as which ultra expensive car to bring to the dinner reservation. For the creator behind the account, it has open doors for his career that he would never expect.

Gustaf Lundberg Toresson: What is Supersnake?

Supersnake: I think Supersnake is a way of life and a mindset. It is basically acknowledging that you understand this world and you are a part of it but at the same time you are maybe conscious of its failings and the fact that it’s not a perfect system. I think it’s somebody that enjoys the good life but at the same time is aware enough to realise the many flaws in high society.

GLT: Where does the name come from?

Supersnake: So the name originally had a middle word I decided to drop because of commercial reasons. A snake is somebody that talks behind your back, and is kind of like this person who slithers around society with his tongue lashing these satirical quips at you. And I’m also petrified of snakes, so it’s kind of ironic.

GLT: When and how did you start?

Supersnake: It all started in December 2018. I was at dinner with friends and we were discussing memes and decided to make a bet. We decided to create meme pages and the bet was to see who could get the most followers after 3 months; that’s how it was born. It was just a random dinner conversation that inspired it.

GLT: How would you describe a typical Supersnake meme?

Supersnake: Satirical content that mocks high society and jetset life, but through the prism of all different stereotypes we encounter in this world. I think some are a bit more understandable to the wider following because they transcend popular culture more. Every meme is essentially devoted to a particular social stereotype and there is an accompanying caption that is like a short dialogue to impersonate the characters.

GLT: What are some of the personal or business opportunities that have come out of this?

Supersnake: So many, to be honest. I think as the brand has grown, opportunities have presented themselves in various shapes and sizes. We did a big activation with E11EVEN Miami, one of the biggest clubs in terms of revenue, and they brought me in to help with a small luxury cap collection and a series of Supersnake events at the club celebrating bitcoin and crypto. So they booked some amazing acts like Paris Hilton, Deadmau5, Major Lazer, Swae Lee, and G-Eazy to perform over the week. We are also developing some TV show concepts that I have written, which is incredibly exciting.

GLT: What can you say about the TV Shows?

Supersnake: There are a few different concepts we are working on. I first got approached by someone a while ago who wanted to do a documentary featuring me, focused on people in the creative world doing abnormal things. I declined because I don’t like to show my face at all, but he was a big producer so I pitched him a different idea. We then co-wrote a script about young, late 20’s men and women that all met at a Swiss boarding school and now living a lavish life in London. That show has been in development for some time and there should be some exciting news soon. There’s also another show that I’m developing with Adam Sandler’s production company Happy Madison, which is incredibly exciting.

GLT: What other business areas have you branched into?

Supersnake: I started with clothing print on demand, but eventually started working with an italian manufacturer instead. We’ve produced Loro Piana material caps, hoodies, sweatpants, swimming shorts and buckets made from Prada’s recycled nylon. We’ve also done some other collaborations with brands including sneakers, underwear and sunglasses.

GLT: Are those product types a better business to be in?

Supersnake: The underwear collab was with a brand called Culprit, which is an American eco-friendly, sustainable brand. All of their underwear is made in the US with high quality eco-friendly materials. Then the sneaker collab was with a brand called Yatay, which is an Italian, sustainable, vegan leather sneaker company. We produced a limited run of sneakers in two colors and they were really popular. We sold them primarily direct-to-consumer, but also in some retail stores in Italy and the Middle East. The sunglasses are called “Snake Eyes” and it’s a collab with an amazing Miami-based brand called Tejesta.

GLT: Do you have a manager or an agent?

Supersnake: Yes, I have an agent now at UTA. But up until very recently I was operating with no representation at all.

GLT: How do you think the fact that you can break out without a talent agency or a manager affects employers and the normal 9 to 5. Does it become less attractive?

Supersnake: Yes, definitely. It was already unattractive to me. I mean, from the start I felt like the whole 9 to 5 didn’t suit me at all. I really didn’t enjoy working for someone else. I hated being told what to do, what time to show up to the office etc. When I worked in finance I was always told off for client lunches that lasted too long. I hated the feeling that I was being watched and criticized, even though I was just trying to bring in money for the firm. So, I guess the fact that I created something out of nothing and built it up with zero capital is pretty cool. I haven’t taken any loans or external investment and it’s all because of social media, because of Instagram, and if that can inspire others to take a risk and start their own thing, then amazing!

GLT: When you are not spending your time with Supersnake what are you doing with your time?

Supersnake: I travel a lot, I read a lot, I watch a lot of interesting stuff on the internet. I’m obsessed with constantly learning, so something like the Masterclass series or Diary of a CEO is highly appealing. I like to try and familiarize myself with different processes from highly-accomplished people in various fields. I love to act and perform, some Supersnake music will be coming soon.

GLT: What’s the music side of things going to be like?

Supersnake: I’m turning Supersnake into a music artist and he’s going to start producing and performing. It’s going to be another interesting monetization channel, but also something I really enjoy doing. I have a lot of relationships with existing artists through Supersnake and otherwise. People like Martin Garrix, DJ Snake, David Guetta and Tiesto are all fans of the page, as well as some DJ’s from the underground scene like Tale of Us, Rampa and Seth Troxler. There’s definitely an interest in leveraging those relationships and making dance music with Supersnake.

GLT: Was there a pivotal moment where you felt like this was taking off with Supersnake?

Supersnake: I’ve been asked that before and it’s hard to say because there have been several moments I guess. For instance one of the earlier pivotal moments was when Cara Delevingne followed the page really early on, and I was shocked; I think I barely had 1,000 followers at the time. Since then there have been bigger and bigger milestones, but I think that doing the collaboration with E11EVEN was a really interesting moment. I was in a massive nightclub, with celebrities everywhere, seeing my logo on screens all over the club. I saw a sea of Supersnake caps in the crowd, on all the waitresses and even on Diplo who was DJ’ing with Major Lazer at the time. I was just standing there by the DJ booth looking around and no one had any idea who I was. The anonymity felt great and I took a small moment to feel proud of what I had built out of literally nothing.

GLT: What’s the creative process like? Do they spring out of sudden shower thoughts or are you more deliberate?

Supersnake: I try to create every day but I don’t always succeed because I’m not super organized. I think I always intended it to be like that. That’s how it was at the start and I didn’t want to change my process because I didn’t want to change the formula that clearly was working. But it’s annoying because some days I want to post and I’m not happy with what I create, or it just doesn’t quite work out. I’m incredibly self-critical and therefore I often choose not to post because I don’t feel like it’s funny enough. Overall, I wish I was more organized and I wish I could post every day. But at the same time it’s good because I don’t want to overload the feed and make people sick of me.

GLT: What do you think is the biggest insight or surprise that you have felt since starting this account?

Supersnake: The way that it’s opened doors for me has been really surprising. I think if you are entertaining people and making them laugh they are really willing to take a meeting with you and help you out. For instance, a hero of mine is Leonardo DiCaprio. I reference him a lot in my memes and I love his movies. I was at a party in Miami and he gave me 20 minutes of his time, where he praised me and told me how much he loved my memes. He asked me “how do you come up with this stuff?” and told me that his friends send the memes to him and reads them; that was just a wild realization for me. I think because the nature of my work is not about me, people really do respond well to that. Essentially, I am the one putting in the effort every day to try to make people laugh, it’s a service that I’m providing. That has led to me creating some really valuable relationships.

GLT: What’s next for Supersnake in the long term?

Supersnake: I want to continue to entertain people and make them laugh as often as possible; that always has to be the primary goal. I would love to do more varied styles of content, more video, more animation and not just one dimensional memes. A long term goal is to really cement myself in Hollywood and write, produce and act as much as possible. I would love to throw Supersnake parties around the world and engage with my community in a more dynamic way.

Let’s see what the future holds.

The conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

@gltore on Instagram. hello (at) lundbergtoresson.com.

Freeing the West Memphis Three

by www.newsweek.com Leave a Comment

“Damien! I finallyGET to hug you!”

For 17 years, I have only seen Damien Echols—gaunt, pale, always behind thick glass—in an Arkansas supermax prison. Our voices—his always quiet—crossed through a metal grille. Yet here he is on a mid-August evening, in the flesh, atop a luxurious hotel in Memphis, where Pearl Jam frontman Eddie Vedder has orchestrated an impromptu party. A few dozen people—attorneys and longtime supporters—have gathered to celebrate the first taste of freedom for the men known as the West Memphis Three .

Just 48 hours earlier, Damien, Jason Baldwin, and Jessie Misskelley Jr. were in three different Arkansas detention facilities. Now Damien is here, peering at an iPhone . Jason, flanked by his girlfriend and mother, hugs me, confiding that he’s brought his beloved Hacky Sack along. And Jessie has gone home with his father for a barbecue dinner. Even the judge said that what happened this morning will be talked about for years. In the space of two days, one prisoner sentenced to death and two others serving life without parole were driven to an Arkansas courthouse, pleaded guilty to multiple murders—and in a strange legal twist—were immediately set free.

Damien smiles and rises to greet me. I have no words for him, just this speechless, heartfelt hug. Giddy, I say, “Guy, you look good in clothes!” I hear him murmur, “Surreal.”

I look out across the Mississippi River toward West Memphis, Ark., the town where, in 1993, the murders that sent Damien, Jessie, and Jason to prison occurred. They were then 18, 17, and 16 years old. Someone points to the river, noting the geographical irony of the party’s location. But Damien, with his wife of 13 years, Lorri Davis, glued to his side, can’t see that far. After years in an isolation cell less than 12 by 8 feet, he’s lost his distance vision. A friend comforts him, “It’ll come back.”

I have known the West Memphis Three since 1994, the year they were convicted. Damien was a precocious high-school dropout who wore black, listened to heavy metal, and dabbled in Wicca—which made him an outsider in this tight-knit Bible Belt community. Jason was a diligent student who attended school the day of the murders and every school day after until his arrest. Damien and Jason were friends, but only slightly acquainted with Jessie, a wrestling fan with a temper.

Damien stood stonily as a jury concluded he’d killed three 8-year-old children and a judge told him that officials would “administer a continuous intravenous injection of a lethal quantity … into your body until you are dead.”

When circuit Judge David Burnett asked Jason if he could offer the court “any legal reason” why his life sentence should not be imposed, Jason responded softly, “Because I’m innocent.”

At the time, I was a reporter for the weekly Arkansas Times. I wasn’t convinced by the trials, and as soon as the police investigative files became public, I drove to West Memphis to see what I’d missed. There I read for the first time a transcript of the statement that Jessie made to police a month after the murders—what has since been called his “confession.” Based solely on that statement, police had arrested him, Damien, and Jason, and charged all three with capital murder.

Jessie, a high-school dropout, had been in special ed throughout school. He’d come to the police station voluntarily, and police had questioned him—with no parent or lawyer present—for close to eight hours. Only two brief sections of his account, totaling less than one hour, were recorded—and I found even those parts troubling.

Jessie stated he’d met Damien and Jason in the woods where the children’s bodies were later found. He said he’d watched as Damien and Jason beat and stabbed the boys “and started screwing them and stuff.” Ultimately, Jessie said, he had helped in the murders by holding one of the victims.

Police knew the boys were last seen alive after 5 p.m. Yet in the recordings, Jessie started out saying the killings took place “early in the morning.” Police knew the boys were in school all day. Even on the taped sections, Jessie gradually changed the time to “around noon,” then “five or six,” finally settling for: “It was starting to get dark.” The medical examiner found no evidence that any had been raped.

The local prosecutor, John Fogleman, had based three charges of capital murder on Jessie’s vague and contradictory statement. A day after making his statement, Jessie recanted it. Damien and Jason always asserted their innocence. Jessie was tried alone and first. Fogleman played the tape of his statement, and Jessie was convicted. When the Arkansas Supreme Court affirmed his conviction, it noted that Jessie’s “confession” was the only evidence against him.

Before going into Damien and Jason’s trial, prosecutors offered Jessie a term of less than life in prison if he would repeat his claim in court that he’d seen Damien and Jason murder the boys. But Jessie refused. With no eyewitnesses, no actual physical evidence, and no motive to offer jurors, the prosecutors decided to tell them that the teens had killed the children as part of an “occult ritual.”

First the prosecutors introduced evidence that Damien read books by Stephen King, Anne Rice, and Dean Koontz. A police officer testified that he thought that “strange.” They established that Damien had borrowed a book titled Cotton Mather on Witchcraft from the local library. And they produced a piece of paper on which Damien had written the name of Aleister Crowley, described by one of the prosecutors as “a noted author in the field of satanic worship.”

The damning evidence against Jason was less pronounced, though prosecutors did introduce album covers he owned of heavy-metal groups, along with testimony that police had found “11 black T shirts” among his clothes.

The second element relating to motive had to do with the moon. Fogleman asked the court to note that it was full on the night of the murders. Fogleman then called to the stand a witness who claimed to be an “expert” in the occult. In his closing argument, Fogleman pointed to Damien and said, “There’s not a soul in there.” Jurors sentenced him to die. In the belief that Jason acted under Damien’s influence, they gave him the lesser sentence of life without parole.

In 1996, the Arkansas Supreme Court unanimously affirmed all three convictions.

I did the first interview with Damien seven months after the trials. It was our cover story, with the headline ” Witch on Death Row .” In the years since, Damien, convicted in part because of his taste in books, has remained a voracious reader in prison, and is still interested in the occult. “I don’t know how these other guys do it. If it wasn’t for magick,” as he spells it, “I would have been dead long ago.”

He’s had poetry published and an autobiography titled Almost Home. He has collaborated on songs with several artists, including Vedder.

Lorri was a landscape architect living in New York when HBO aired a documentary, Paradise Lost, about the case. She felt an immediate affinity for Damien, and the two began a correspondence that would lead to marriage. Over the years, I watched her grow from a woman who cherished her privacy to one who was willing to meet with teams of lawyers, speak at large public events, and ask benefactors for money to fight the convictions.

Jessie entered prison a brawler. He fought—and got beaten—a lot during his early days in prison. But he’s had support, calling his father once a week, a link that helped steady him.

Last year he told me that he wasn’t mad at the judge for the way his trial was handled. “If I was a judge and somebody done that to a kid—like we was accused of murdering those three little boys—I would have probably done the same thing,” Jessie said. “But he was a judge, and he went to school, and he was supposed to do the right thing.”

In researching my book, Devil’s Knot, I learned that prior to Damien and Jason’s trial, prosecutors had offered not to seek the death penalty against Jason if he would testify that he’d seen Damien kill the boys. “That would be a lie,” said Jason, who added that his mom had raised him better than that. Since his conviction, Jason has earned his GED and 36 hours of college credit (an option not available to Damien). He has worked as a counselor to other inmates and as an assistant in the prison school.

Meanwhile, outside the men’s prisons, and almost imperceptibly, doubts about the verdicts began to build. Part of the change arose after reports of new DNA tests on old crime-scene evidence. Where suspicion had long been focused on one of the victims’ stepfathers, the new tests revealed that a hair found in a knot used to bind one of the boys apparently came from the stepfather of one of the other victims. No DNA was ever found that traced to the men in prison.

Lorri and others formed a group called Arkansas Take Action. Last August, Vedder and Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, along with Johnny Depp, Patti Smith, and other celebs, packed Little Rock’s 4,000-seat auditorium in a rally on behalf of the West Memphis Three. Fogleman ran for the state Supreme Court and lost—to the surprise of his prominent supporters. Weeks later, the state Supreme Court ordered a new hearing to decide if the men deserved new trials.

That hearing was set for December. But last week, to widespread amazement, prosecutors and the men’s attorneys struck a complex agreement. The state of Arkansas, which had staunchly resisted new trials, suddenly offered freedom—but with a further price. While continuing to maintain their innocence, Damien, Jason, and Jessie had to plead guilty to reduced charges of murder. It’s called an Alford plea. Prosecutors said it was an all-or-nothing deal.

Initially, Jason balked. He wasn’t guilty and he would not say he was, even if refusal meant more time in prison. When Jason did change his mind, it was because lawyers had convinced him that, unless he did, Damien would remain on death row, still facing execution.

I remember how often Jason and I discussed how really ordinary his case was—except for the publicity and support it drew. He knows that there are many at his prison and in prisons everywhere who are also innocent—but whose cases never got the spotlight that happened to shine on this one. A few months ago he told me that when he finally did get out, he wanted to study law—not to practice but to teach it. He felt he had some authority to speak about wrongful convictions.

I reflect that before Damien does anything else, he needs to regain his health. Five hours a week, alone, in a covered, outdoor cell offered scant sunlight and no real chance to exercise. A thin pad on a concrete bed was hard on his bones. What little medical care he ever got was less than optimal. He learned to focus his energy.

The night of the rooftop party, there is talk of creating funds for the three men’s futures. Others vow to keep investigations alive, so that the actual killer or killers are found.

The next morning, Jason is walking alone in downtown Memphis when a camera crew approaches and asks how he feels. There is the sweet-hearted Jason I’ve known since he was a kid. “Good morning, Memphis,” he says happily. “Good morning, Tennessee. Good morning, America.

“Good morning, the world.”

My daily horoscope: What does February 6th bring for MY star sign? Oscar Cainer tells all

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There’s nothing wrong with healthy competition. But should we be making winners and losers out of artists? Today, as the

Read more horoscopes from MailOnline .

What does February 6th bring for MY star sign? Oscar Cainer (pictured) tells all. There’s nothing wrong with healthy competition

ARIES

March 21 – April 20

We talk about ‘white lies’ as though there’s a grey area between truth and falsehood. We go there when we’re trying to avoid hurting someone’s feelings, or hoping to avoid an argument. Yet, however much people might want to believe us, we all know when we’re being lied to. We’re aware something isn’t ‘quite right’. You know you haven’t been told the whole truth. But the withholding of information was to your advantage. Time needed to pass. Now, you’re ready to deal with the reality.

Let the Full Moon guide you to the future you secretly long for. Call your latest forecast: 0906 751 5601.

TAURUS

April 21- May 21

We were talking recently about the line between the sea and the shoreline where two worlds meet. The ocean obeys a different set of laws to the land. It stretches for innumerable miles, creating a vast area where humans struggle to exist. The water’s edge is a meeting place between two extremes. That’s what makes it so magical. The legacy of the Full Moon allows you to unite two reconcilable forces. If you can agree a compromise, you’ll connect with someone so that you work surprisingly well together.

Don’t miss your Moon-sign forecast. The energy of the Full Moon can positively inspire your week. Call 0906 751 5602.

GEMINI

May 22 – June 22

Magazines that publish photos of celebs doing their shopping sell millions of copies. Pictures of the world’s rich and famous wearing a pair of Marigold gloves as they embark on the washing-up make us smile. But, who knows, maybe it’s how they choose to relax! Maybe they enjoy household chores. And even if caught unawares, surely it wouldn’t affect their success? If you have to deal with a day of mundanities, do them with a glad heart. The process could reveal enriching information that leads to success.

The Full Moon brings transformation. Call your spookily accurate Moon-sign forecast: 0906 751 5603.

CANCER

June 23 – July 23

The pressure has been building. The Full Moon highlighted a hidden issue, which now needs to be addressed. A truth must be acknowledged. The longer it’s denied, the more awkward and unsatisfying a situation will become. Where an error has been made, it must now be corrected. But first it needs to be understood. Fortunately, you’ve got the insight that other people lack, and the perception to know the best way to go about instigating a necessary change. Be brave. You stand to profit from taking action.

The Full Moon can lift your spirits! Call your Moon-sign forecast. Dial in your date of birth: 0906 751 5604.

Don’t miss your Moon-sign forecast. The energy of the Full Moon can positively inspire your week

LEO

July 24 – August 23

We love making a fuss. Given half a chance, we enjoy leaping into action. Nothing will stop you playing that game today. But you don’t need to. All is well. In fact, you’ll be much more able to keep a problem at bay if you don’t run to embrace it (or even attempt to stir things up just to prove that a suspicion is well-founded). No matter what is being said, don’t let it distract you. If you really need to act, you’ll know. But it’s more likely that sticking your head in the sand will work to your advantage.

There’s a Full Moon and your future can be revealed and changed. Pick up the phone! Call 0906 751 5605.

VIRGO

August 24 – September 23

The trouble with this world is that it’s jam-packed full with other people. It’s fine when you’re just passing them by. It’s as soon as you get involved in the intricacies of their lives that it starts to get problematic. That’s when you realise that they’re not the same as you. And they haven’t understood the fact that you have superior qualities! Perfection, after all, isn’t easily achieved. And you’ve worked long and hard to be as perfect as you can be. So be gentle with anyone you come into contact with today. They’re just doing their best.

Your latest Moon-sign forecast will touch your heart and lift your spirits. For inspiring advice, call 0906 751 5606.

LIBRA

September 24 – October 23

Why not reach for the stars? Deep down you know something can be gained and you’re under no obligation to settle for anything less. So why not set your fears and worries to one side and disregard the discouraging remarks being made? Other people might have low expectations but that doesn’t mean they’re right — or that you should lower yours. Amazing possibilities are trying to make their way into your world. You just need to ensure you welcome them, and that you have faith in your claim to them.

The Full Moon has a powerful message. For your spookily accurate prediction, call 0906 751 5607.

SCORPIO

October 24 – November 22

It feels as though you lack an important resource. It’s possible you might have ‘just enough’, but are concerned that if something goes even slightly wrong, you’ll find yourself in a difficult position. There is no room for error. Although it’s unsettling to be living so close to the edge, you’re not going to be in this perilous situation for long. You just need to be resourceful and confident. As long as you don’t waste precious energy being over-cautious, you’ll find you have enough of what you need. Have faith in yourself today.

Change your future! Call now for your Full Moon personal forecast. It contains valuable news. Call 0906 751 5608.

SAGITTARIUS

November 23 – December 21

Why do you bother investing all your time trying to resolve a problem that’ll sort itself out? If you feel edgy and anxious, it’s because you think you need to intervene directly in a situation for it to work. Even though you’re uncertain of your next move, you don’t doubt you need to do something. But is that true? The legacy of the Full Moon enables you to see a difficulty is less than it appears. Standing back and reassessing will help you see why trusting things to unfold is your best option.

What will the Full Moon reveal? For news that makes your spine tingle and your heart leap, call 0906 751 5609.

CAPRICORN

December 22 – January 20

Light would not exist without shade. Joy would have no meaning without sadness. As Johnny Burke sang: ‘If you want the things you love, you must have showers. So when you hear it thunder, don’t run under a tree. There’ll be pennies from Heaven, for you and me.’ These lyrics urge us to embrace the messy, awkward aspects of life on planet Earth. You don’t need a metaphorical umbrella today. Even if you see clouds gathering in the distance, there’s no need to fear the sound of thunder. Your outlook is bright.

Let the Full Moon reveal your future. For four minutes of valuable insight, call: 0906 751 5610.

AQUARIUS

January 21 –  February 19

If you find yourself dealing with an impossible situation today, you don’t need to put up with it. Even without a magic wand, you can do something to transform it. But it’s going to entail a change of attitude. It’s almost as though you feel offended by the fact that you face this problem — so much so that you’re not motivated to do anything about it. ‘If that can go wrong, so can everything else.’ But that’s untrue. The legacy of the Full Moon in your opposite sign means you have power. Use it.

This Full Moon is powerful. You can change your life. Your latest forecast is ready. Call 0906 751 5611.

PISCES

February 20 – March 20

People say if we want something done, we should ask a busy person. The idea, of course, is that they’re already so busy they won’t notice an extra task. But it doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll do a good job. If a process demands careful thought and delicate decisions, it won’t be best handled by someone who already has too many plates to spin. Yes, you’ve got lots to deal with. But one particular issue can’t be rushed. Prioritise today. Be efficient, and make sure you take full responsibility. It’ll save you time in the long run.

Big changes are due between now and the next New Moon. For a spookily accurate prediction, call 0906 751 5612.

  • Calls cost 80p per minute plus your phone company’s access charge. To report a phone line problem, call 0800 138 9789. Go to cainer.com and join the 5 Star Service for personalised messages, audio, video, discounts on full readings, and more!

Book excerpt | The Shortest History of Democracy: The rise of monitory democracy

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“During the 1952 Indian general election, the first held after independence, conservatives claimed that women’s involvement in politics threatened ancient caste and gender hierarchies. They had a point: energised by democracy’s egalitarianism, women’s turnout in elections and contributions to public life have since been rising steadily, often outstripping men’s participation, as in the 2015 elections in Bihar, the country’s poorest state.” (Photo and caption from ‘The Shortest History of Democracy’)

At the heart of democracy is the idea of impermanence—the ability to change periodically to reflect what the people say they want.

In The Shortest History of Democracy —a 229-page book packed with facts and dates and traversing the globe to find large movements and transnational trends in democracy, starting with the first popular assemblies of 2500BC Syria-Mesopotamia—author John Keane writes: “Democracy often takes reality by surprise. It stands on the side of earthly miracles. The dramatic arrest and public execution of kings and tyrants, unplanned mutiny of disgruntled citizens, unexpected resistance to military rule and cliffhanger parliamentary votes are among the dramas that catch the living by surprise and leave those who come after fascinated by how and why such breakthroughs occurred.”

The book also charts the development of democracy, from assembly to electoral democracy and finally monitory democracy. Reproduced below is the section on “The rise of monitory democracy”:

Developments in Senegal, South Africa, Brazil and elsewhere showed that in the decades after 1945, democracy was no longer a white-skinned, Western affair – as it had been, say, when Lord James Bryce wrote his classic Modern Democracies in 1921, or when a Natal-based historian of democracy spoke john keane book cover of election-based, parliamentary government as ‘largely the outcome of the character and historical development of Englishmen’, unsuited to ‘states where the population does not display the same talents for, or interest in, the management of public affairs’.

Yes, broadly speaking, the many different species of democracies that sprang up on every continent still belonged to the genus called democracy, not just in name, but also in spirit. Political leaders and citizens who thought of themselves as democrats were still bound by respect for non-violent lawful government based on the consent of ‘the people’. They were suspicious of concentrated and unaccountable power; they were committed to the principle that all citizens are equals. But the indigenisation of democracy in environments radically different to the earlier parent electoral democracies of Western Europe, Spanish America and the United States was nevertheless remarkable.

India, soon to become known as the world’s ‘largest democracy’, was no liberal democracy, if that means American-style representative government founded on a large middle class, a free market economy and the spirit of possessive individualism. India’s tryst with democracy fundamentally challenged the presumption that economic growth is the core requirement of democracy – that free and fair elections are practical only when a majority of citizens owns or enjoys commodities such as cars, refrigerators and radios. Weighed down by destitution of heart-breaking proportions, millions of poor and illiterate people rejected the prejudice that a country must first be wealthy before it can be democratic. They decided instead that they could become materially stronger through democracy. Not only that: the Indian pathway to democracy bearded the woolly predictions of experts who said that French-style secularism, the compulsory retreat of religious myths into the private sphere, was necessary before hard-nosed democracy could happen. The Indian polity contains every major faith known to humanity and is home to hundreds of languages. Social complexity on this scale led Indian democrats to a new justification of democracy. It was no longer a means to protect a homogeneous society of equal individuals. It came to be regarded as the fairest way to enable people of different backgrounds and divergent group identities to live together harmoniously, as equals, without civil war.

India showed that the spirit and substance of democracy were alive globally in local sentiments, languages, institutions and shifting and contested forms of power. After 1945, democracy grew more grounded. But since then something else of historic importance – a transformation less obvious – has been happening: the growth of monitory democracy, a new form of self-government distinctively different from the assembly-based and electoral democracies of the past.

What is monitory democracy?

Why the adjective ‘monitory’ – which first entered English in the mid-fifteenth century (from the Latin monere, to warn, to advise) to refer to issuing a warning of an impending danger, or an admonition to check the content or quality of something, or to refrain from a foolish or offensive action? It is a form of democracy defined by the rapid growth of many new kinds of extra-parliamentary, power-scrutinising mechanisms: ‘guide dog’, ‘watchdog’ and ‘barking dog’ institutions. Monitory democracy includes practices such as election monitoring, workplace codetermination and participatory budgeting. It also includes bodies such as future generations commissions, bridge doctors, truth and reconciliation forums and coralreef monitoring networks. These monitory or public accountability mechanisms are newcomers in the history of democracy. They spring up in many different contexts and are not simply ‘Western’ inventions.

The rights of workers to elect representatives to their company’s governing boards in workplace codetermination schemes (Mitbestimmung) first happened in war-torn Germany in the 1940s. Participatory budgeting, in which citizens decide how to spend part of a public budget, is a Brazilian invention. Future generations commissions with statutory power to champion the rights of unborn citizens were born in Wales. Bridge doctors – volunteer teams of university engineering students checking the safety of city bridges – are a South Korean specialty. South Africa made truth and reconciliation forums famous. Coral-reef monitoring networks are a product of global cooperation.

These monitory bodies have taken root everywhere within the local and national fields of government and civil society, as well as in cross-border settings. As a result, the whole architecture of representative government is changing. The grip of elections, political parties and parliaments in shaping citizens’ lives and representing their interests is weakening. If electoral democracy rested on the principle of ‘one person, one vote, one representative’, the guiding ethic of monitory democracy is ‘one person, many interests, many voices, multiple votes, multiple representatives’. Under these new conditions, democracy means much more than elections. Within and outside states, independent and toothy watchdog bodies have begun to reshape the landscapes of power. By keeping corporations and elected governments, parties and politicians permanently on their toes, the new watchtowers question abuses of power, force governments and businesses to modify their agendas – and sometimes smother them in public disgrace.

Monitory democracy is the most complex and vibrant form of democracy yet. In the name of ‘people’, ‘the public’, ‘public accountability’ or ‘citizens’ – the terms are normally used interchangeably – power-challenging and power-tempering institutions are springing up all over the place. Corruption scandals and public outcries against monkey business are becoming the new normal. This does not mean that elections, political parties, legislatures and public assemblies are disappearing or declining in importance, but they are most definitely losing their pole position as hosts and drivers of politics. Democracy is no longer simply a way of handling and taming the power of elected governments, and no longer confined to territorial states. Gone are the days when democracy could be described, and in the next breath attacked, as an abuse of statistics, as ‘government by the unrestricted will of the majority’; or, in the oft-cited words of the Moravian-born economist Joseph Schumpeter (1883– 1950), the ‘institutional arrangement for arriving at political decisions in which individuals acquire the power to decide by means of a competitive struggle for the people’s vote’. The age of representative democracy is behind us. Whether we are talking about local, national or supranational government, or the world of non-governmental organisations and networks, those who wield power are now routinely subject to public monitoring and restraint by an assortment of extra-parliamentary bodies.

The advent of monitory democracy challenges earlier, election-centred understandings of democracy. It spells trouble as well for the commonsense view that democracy is essentially a method of controlling governments and taming state power. What’s remarkable is how the spirit and power-scrutinising mechanisms of monitory democracy spread ‘downwards’, into areas of social life previously untouched by democrats. Assembly democracies typically regarded power dynamics within households, and the treatment of women and slaves, as private matters. We saw how the age of representative democracy witnessed resistance to slavery and to the exclusion of women, workers and the colonised from elections. Elected governments intervened in such areas as healthcare and education. One thing that’s different about the age of monitory democracy is that it enables, as never before, organised public scrutiny and refusal of arbitrary power in the whole of social life. Matters such as workplace bullying, sexual harassment, racial and gender discrimination, animal abuse, homelessness, disability and data harvesting all become central themes of democratic politics.

Parties, parliaments and elected governments are typically reactive to such issues. Monitory bodies and networks therefore become the true drivers of politics. They help deepen democracy. Its spirit of equality and openness spreads through social life and across state borders. For the first time in the history of democracy, not surprisingly, ‘civil society’ is a phrase routinely used by democrats at every point on our planet. Monitory democracy springs up wherever there are abuses of power. Uncontested rule in areas ranging from family life to employment is checked – if and when it’s checked – not just by elected representatives in government, but also by a host of new institutions that remind millions of citizens of a simple but perennial truth: democracy requires colossal transformations of people’s daily lives. Their habits of heart and everyday routines must grow more allergic to abuse of power. To stand against bossing and bullying, people need to nurture the spirit of democracy within, as well as to spread it and keep it alive in others. Citizens must be confident that they themselves are the source of power of the institutions that govern their lives; that government and other bodies indeed rest upon the consent of the governed; and that when they withdraw their consent from these institutions and demand alternatives, things can change for the better, even if only in the smallest of ways.

Excerpted here is the section The rise of monitory democracy, from The Shortest History of Democracy by John Keane, with permission from Pan Macmillan India .