1/ There are no “authentic” politicians, let alone “statesmen” or “stateswomen”. There are only Big Stories looking for Heroes, and people convinced enough that they are The One to persuade others. Don’t evaluate potential candidates, evaluate stories looking for actors.
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6/ So, if you are interested in politics, and have money you want to bet in leveraged ways, look for Big Stories to bet on, not candidates. Type A elections will be attrition warfare, with no leverage. Type B is a no-brainer if legit. Type C is almost completely unpredictable.
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7/ Big Stories currently looking for heroes/villains in the US:
#MeToo
Silicon Valley is Evil
Angry Puerto Ricans
Interesting non-candidates: climate change, extreme weather, rent-is-too-damn-high.
What makes a good Big Story?Show this thread -
8/ Needed features for a Big Story: A) Strong, dominant negative emotion B) A felt lack of agency C) Abstract* enemy who can be symbolized by a single person (if elite) or stereotype (if non-elite) * But not too abstract — “Chinese” is remote in a way “Mexican” is not
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9/ Curiously, a key requirement for a Big Story is *lack* of a corresponding little story for the candidate in question. As individuals, (as opposed to as roles in a story) they are featureless voids. Take out role-salient traits and you’re left with nothing. They’re pure masks
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This is far too cynical, it’s like you just read Sapiens
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I haven’t read sapiens and don’t plan to :)
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C = White anger vs. First Woman President?
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First Woman President turned out to not be a Big Story. More Empire Fights Back. She was more dynastic Clinton than woman.
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