Plain English with Derek Thompson Why Does It Seem Like Everybody Hates Everything?
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Aug 19, 2022 Bestselling author Chuck Klosterman dives into the cultural phenomenon of negativity and cynicism in modern society. He discusses how the internet has given rise to both fervent fans and fierce anti-fans, creating a polarized environment. Klosterman reflects on the waning of monoculture and the shift from admiration to antipathy towards celebrities, driven by reality TV and social media. He also examines how media shapes perceptions of reality, contributing to a broader cultural decline since the 1990s.
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Rise of Negativity
- Modern culture is becoming more pessimistic and cynical, especially towards authority and the future.
- It's become high-status to hate things, evident in politics, institutions, and online.
Flattened Hierarchy
- The internet flattened the hierarchy between elite institutions, critics, and audiences.
- These groups now compete for attention on the same platforms, creating a fascinating and strange dynamic.
Shifting Celebrity Perception
- Mid-20th century celebrities were simply beloved.
- This shifted, and it became cooler to hate famous people, coinciding with the rise of reality TV.