Lever Time

Ari Aster Thinks You’re Being Manipulated

Aug 11, 2025
Ari Aster, acclaimed director of horror films like Hereditary and Midsommar, discusses his latest project, Eddington, a dark comedy that tackles the pandemic's impact on society and technology. He dives into how social media fosters division and misinformation, questioning our shared truths in a polarized world. Aster highlights the clash of values during COVID-19, the portrayal of gun violence, and the complexities of community dynamics. He also emphasizes the need for connection and understanding amidst modern societal alienation.
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INSIGHT

Technology Is Shaping Anti‑Community Forces

  • Ari Aster warns corporate tech harnesses algorithms to change behavior and erode community.
  • He calls the trajectory 'purely capitalistic' and 'anti-human' that we're accelerating with AI.
ANECDOTE

Burner Accounts Revealed Algorithm Traps

  • Ari Aster made burner Twitter accounts to enter different algorithms.
  • He found it was nearly impossible to escape once he dug in.
INSIGHT

The Data Center Is The Real Antagonist

  • In Eddington the looming data center symbolizes unseen corporate power tearing communities apart.
  • Ari Aster shows locals fight each other while the tech takeover proceeds unchecked.
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