The Economy of Outrage

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May 28, 2025

The hosts dive into the fascinating world of rage bait, revealing how it manipulates our emotions to keep us engaged online. They tackle the emotional toll of outrage culture, drawing parallels to historical art movements and the evolution of shock in media. The conversation also explores the economics of hate, where societal fear sparks unexpected support in politics. With a nod to the need for 'joy bait' amid negativity, they also question whether the act of being a woman can be labeled as rage bait. Engaging, insightful, and a bit cheeky!

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ANECDOTE

Conservative Influencers IRL

Several people the hosts knew in college and real life became conservative influencers provoking rage online.
Their extreme views contrasted sharply with their personal demeanor, causing cognitive dissonance for those who knew them.

insights

INSIGHT

Rage Bait Escalates Shock Value

Rage bait leverages shock and offense to grab attention and provoke immediate anger.
It escalates over time, requiring increasingly extreme content to sustain engagement and shock value.

insights

INSIGHT

Group Rage Amplifies Emotion

Emotions like rage spread quickly in groups, amplifying individual feelings.
Collective anger strengthens personal responses through social contagion and shared experiences.

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Summer Plans and Patreon Riches

02:40 • 2min

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The Dynamics of Rage Baiting

04:18 • 14min

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The Dynamics of Rage Baiting

18:16 • 12min

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The Impact of Media Framing on Public Perception

30:09 • 11min

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Provocative Art in Times of Disruption

41:12 • 11min

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Shock Culture and Outrage in Media

51:56 • 18min

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The Cost of Misinformation

01:10:20 • 8min

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The Economics of Hate and Social Identification

01:17:52 • 2min

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Exploring the Limitations of Empathy

01:19:51 • 2min

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Navigating Rage and Joy in Social Media

01:21:26 • 5min

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Amusing Ourselves to Death

Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business

Neil Postman

In this book, Neil Postman argues that the contemporary world is more akin to Aldous Huxley's 'Brave New World' than George Orwell's '1984'. Postman contends that television's emphasis on entertainment has led to a decline in rational discourse and the trivialization of politics, education, and religion. He contrasts the print-based culture of the 19th century with the televisual culture of the 20th century, highlighting how the medium of television inherently promotes incoherence and triviality, turning serious information into a form of entertainment.

The Attention Merchants

The Epic Scramble to Get Inside Our Heads

Tim Wu

In 'The Attention Merchants', Tim Wu explores the history and impact of the industries that feed on human attention. Starting from the 19th century with Benjamin Day's penny newspapers, Wu traces the evolution of advertising through various media, including radio, television, and the internet. He argues that the basic business model of 'attention merchants' has remained constant: offering free diversion in exchange for moments of attention, which are then sold to advertisers. The book also examines the societal and psychological effects of this attention economy and the various revolts against it.

A modest proposal

Jonathan Swift

Written in 1729, 'A Modest Proposal' is a Juvenalian satirical essay that critiques the harsh treatment of the Irish by the English and the social and economic conditions of Ireland. Swift suggests, in a hyperbolic and ironic manner, that poor Irish families could sell their children as food to wealthy English landowners. The essay is a scathing critique of the heartless attitudes towards the poor, British policy towards Ireland, and the incompetence of Irish politicians. It uses sustained irony and rhetorical devices to expose the absurdity of quick-fix solutions to social problems and to highlight the dire state of Ireland under British rule.

The Shock of the new

Robert Hughes

The Shock of the New by Robert Hughes is a seminal work that explores the revolutionary changes in art and design during the 20th century. It covers movements from Cubism to Pop Art, discussing artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Warhol, and examines the cultural and historical contexts that shaped modern art. The book is both a historical account and a critical analysis, offering a vivid picture of the evolving landscape of modern art.

Against Empathy

The Case for Rational Compassion

Paul Bloom

In 'Against Empathy: The Case for Rational Compassion,' Paul Bloom challenges the conventional wisdom that empathy is a moral guide. He argues that empathy, defined as feeling what others feel, is a capricious and irrational emotion that can lead to poor decision-making and even cruelty. Bloom contends that empathy distorts our judgment in various aspects of life, from philanthropy and justice to medical care and education. He advocates for a more distanced compassion based on rational, deliberative reasoning and a utilitarian approach to moral decisions. The book is grounded in scientific findings and explores the limitations and biases of empathy, suggesting that clearer, fairer, and more moral decisions can be made without relying on it.

The Jungle

Upton Sinclair

Published in 1906, 'The Jungle' follows the life of Lithuanian immigrant Jurgis Rudkus and his family as they navigate the brutal realities of working-class life in Chicago's meatpacking district, known as Packingtown. The novel highlights issues such as public health hazards, extreme poverty, and the cruel treatment of workers and animals. Despite Sinclair's intention to expose labor abuses, the public reaction primarily focused on the sanitation issues in the meatpacking industry, leading to significant legislative changes, including the passage of the U.S. Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act.

The Crowd, A Study of the Popular Mind

Gustave Le Bon

In this book, Gustave Le Bon examines the psychology of crowds, arguing that when individuals form a crowd, they undergo a profound psychological transformation. He explains that crowds are characterized by impulsiveness, irritability, and an incapacity to reason, and that individuals within a crowd relinquish their personal identities and become susceptible to suggestion and emotional contagion. Le Bon discusses how crowds can display either heroic or criminal tendencies based on prevailing ideas and emotions, and emphasizes the role of leaders in simplifying and communicating ideas to the crowd. The book is divided into sections that analyze the general characteristics of crowds, their sentiments and morality, their ideas and reasoning power, and the classification and description of different kinds of crowds.

Public Opinion

Stefano di Lorenzo

Walter Lippmann

In 'Public Opinion', Walter Lippmann explores the nature of public opinion, how it is formed, and its influence on democratic processes. Published in 1922, the book critiques the ideal of direct democracy and argues that the public's perceptions are often shaped by incomplete and inaccurate information. Lippmann discusses the role of media, stereotypes, and other factors in shaping public opinion, highlighting the challenges in achieving informed and rational public discourse.

Understanding media

The Extensions of Man

Marshall McLuhan

In 'Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man', Marshall McLuhan explores how different media forms influence human society and perception. He introduces the concept that 'the medium is the message', suggesting that the characteristics of the medium, rather than its content, are what truly impact society. McLuhan categorizes media into 'hot' and 'cool' types, based on the degree of audience participation required. He also discusses how media extend human senses and alter human consciousness, leading to significant social and psychic consequences. The book is a comprehensive analysis of various media, including print, radio, television, and more, and their effects on human interaction and culture.

This week, the girlies tackle rage bait: the content that’s engineered to make you mad and keep you scrolling. From gutting historic homes to incendiary Republican rhetoric, they explore how anger became a content strategy and why we keep falling for it. They trace the long history of provocation, once a way to challenge power and now just another feature of your FYP, breaking down how rage bait works, who benefits from it, and why nothing feels shocking anymore. Digressions include the beauty of riding a train, knowing conservative content creators in real life, and the age-old question: does being a woman count as rage bait?

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This episode was produced by Julia Hava and Eliza McLamb and edited by Allison Hagan. Research assistance from Kylie Finnigan.

To support the podcast on Patreon and access 50+ bonus episodes, mediasodes, zoom hangouts and more, visit patreon.com/binchtopia and become a patron today.

SOURCES

$5.2m for a duct-taped banana: has the buyer of Maurizio Cattelan’s artwork slipped up?

10 Works of Art That Made People Really Mad

100 years later Duchamp’s ‘Fountain’ still influential

Against Empathy by Paul Bloom

Anger is an approach-related affect: Evidence and implications.

Antisocial Behavior in Online Discussion Communities

Ape and Human Cognition: What's the Difference?

Chris Ofili: Can art still shock us?

Chris Ofili, The Holy Virgin Mary

Emotion Shapes the Diffusion of Moral Content

Facebook Manipulated User News Feeds To Create Emotional Responses