The Fictional Nature of Real Events

The assassination of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson is framed as both a real event and a fictional narrative, drawing parallels to historical crimes and trials. The episode discusses the emergence of a 'made-for-social-media mystery' that evolves in public discourse, suggesting that this narrative has been partly orchestrated and constructed for media consumption. It is posited that the crime feels over-scripted, drawing from archetypes found in well-known manhunts and violent incidents, indicating an element of intentionality in how the storyline is shaping up. The dialogue reflects on the ways new media advances the evolution of these narratives, leading to an intensified engagement from the public around sensational events.