I love this addendum to my essay on America's extremely old election.
Bill asks whether "some combination of forces in the culture that have conspired to make every 'new' political figure since ~2003 seem too boring or phony (or both) to be President"
Bill asks whether "some combination of forces in the culture that have conspired to make every 'new' political figure since ~2003 seem too boring or phony (or both) to be President"
There may be something debilitating about the authenticity tightrope of internet celebrity—try hard, but don't be obvious; be aware, but not too Online; be righteous, but not self-righteous—that makes it harder to *become* a national political figure.
This relates to polarization, both in politics and in online attention markets, where it often seems easier to build a national following by being extreme, or weird, in a way that cultivates a strong million-person following even if *most Americans* would hate your schtick.
You can have a massive YouTube following that 99% of Americans have never heard of, or have lucrative newsletter than 99.9% of Americans don't buy.
But national elections require a majoritarian popularity that may be out of step with the social rules of online attention markets
But national elections require a majoritarian popularity that may be out of step with the social rules of online attention markets
