Thread by @matters_of_mind

Another irrelevant thread coming up. As #Solemani was buried huge crowds gathered to pay their respect but what's interesting is that the #AyatollahAliKhamenei wept. This trend of powerful personalities openly shedding tears hasn't garnered enough attention.

Earlier powerful men were supposed to be stoic or atleast portray that image. From time to time we have seen powerful men cry but now even that is used as a political tool. A list of POTUS's crying. Almost all the incidents are after the 90's.
politico.com/gallery/2016/0…

Lee Kuan Yew while announcing the failed merger with Malaysia.

I may be wrong but there are fairly few articles about FDR or Lincoln sobbing the way the Ayatollah did. Even our Nehru, who had built an image with effeminate elements cried publicly after the 62 war.

However, now celebrities and powerful men have started to leverage this emotion. @rogerfederer and @IkerCasillas have gained quite a few 'awwwsss' with their tears.

Tough guy #Putin after his election victory, 56 inch @narendramodi after his, #Erdogan at a funeral, #Turnbull at an interview.

Politics is about perception and smart instinctive politicians understand it at deeper level than most of us. These episodes of breaking down in2 tears may not b pre planned but these leaders are aware of the impact and they realise when is it suitable to let their emotions flow.

1. The guy is surrounded by a deep state/stronger opposition forces , ready to overthrow him, and yet he charges on, despite the pain
2. The guy is just like us, but has willed his way to success.
3. He cares deeply about ruling and is not in it for the administrative luxuries.

These are the subliminal messages powerful leaders want to convey and letting it out at the right moments is key. Powerful people want to display their struggles, especially when they dominate their fields and this new emotion is the perfect weapon in their armoury.
The End.

@threadreaderapp please unroll.