[planet-and-halo]

Matt Taibbi (and others) compare it to Pro Wrestling. Which is actually kind of a cool thing, and gets dumped on way too unfairly in general as an art form. But as a model for politics, oh god, please, no. The guy with the nuclear launch codes should not be the best entertainer.

[Melting_Harps]

> Matt Taibbi (and others) compare it to Pro Wrestling.

Kayfabe. And yeah, Hate Inc, was such a good book, I listened to it 3 times in 2 years and it's scary how closely this resembles most of the political theater that takes place around the World.

It's not just the US, though its the most visible, it's a systemic issue that is ultimately incredibly effective: it's the same formula that reality TV used but on steroids and for much higher stakes and with mentally sick participants (sociopaths willing to do anything for power and control).

As a long time channer, 4 and then 8 before things got incredibly violent, I highly recommend the Q: Into the Storm to see exactly what 'type of people' buy into these types of conspiracies.

Like most of the BS that went on chans, larping was always for the lulz, so whether it was John Titor, or the Time Traveler who predicted Bitcoin would destroy the Earth it's there for entertainment purposes to fill the void between the boring parts of life (think: something to read while waiting for a bus or taking an uber).

Instead it was taken seriously by a cohort of the population who were entirely destroyed economically and disenfranchised since the Reagan era in the US (and abroad) and it shows the perils of how basic the current Human Condition is when a pervasive narrative that suits your desired reality eventually becomes your entire reality.

It also underscores the reasons why Social Media is and has been a major source for anxiety, depression and suicide: the Human mind is just not optimized for that much input, so when coupled with low intellect, wide-spread loneliness and a need to feel accepted at all costs due to a loss of community it's not hard to see how this all turns out.

Cullen Hoback was recently on Joe Rogan and it was super insightful to hear his views on the entire thing (seeing Hotwheels' drama was utter insanity as I checkedout entirely from channing after the mass shootings) after watching it in utter disbelief when this documentary came out detailing how this whole thing took place and who was involved.

[planet-and-halo]

Yep, it's definitely not a U.S. only issue. I agree, it strikes me as basically a consequence of media.

[klyrs]

There's some real value to this. I think a lot of folks on the left failed to understand that Trump is a heel, and were caught completely off-guard that every single scandal ("grab 'em by the pussy!") not only flopped, but energized his base. To this day, a lot of press seems focused on "orange man bad" without any recognition that they're supporting his political standing.

[ghayes]

Can you explain why people would want a heel to make decisions about their lives and freedoms? I assume you’re implying that heels gain popularity through drawing emotion, but likely has an inverse correlation to being a good leader? Heels are self-obsessed generally, right?

[JustResign]

Because the heel hurts "the other" - marginalized people - more than the average person who voted them in. They're willing to suffer a little, as long as the right people suffer _a lot_.

[klyrs]

I'm not inclined to characterize people with radically different political views from mine... but I'd encourage you to read what Trump supporters say that they like about him and dislike about other leaders, and to take it with a lump of salt because you'll be reading the writing of his most fervent supporters and not his "median supporter." Also, I'd encourage you to read what the Trump-supporting press writes about him, and what they write about other leaders, because that's what the "median supporter" is probably consuming.

Also, something weird has happened in the wrestling world. Once upon a time, heels were booed, and faces were applauded. Today... heels are increasingly popular and faces are getting boos. I can't explain this.