for instance, ‘we need more immigration to get new ideas’ is an essential expression of the nominalist aesthetic (or lack thereof). if one thing seems as good as any other, lacking insight into anything deeper to think otherwise, a constant carousel of superficially different things is appealing. the idea that ideas can be (are) created through imagination/a function of genius without (with less) outside input is alien to them, as they themselves are lacking in such capacity (and concordantly, assume the same for all other beings, how could they think any different?).

or in other words, i dont trust anyone that doesnt atleast appreciate (what) 4chan (was).

On reflection I’m not sure I agree it’s strategic. I doubt it’s necessary to outgroup NRx. Further, as per Paul Fussell, status-striving tends to be ineffective; it’s not going to do Gillies any favours. What happens with this tweet that wouldn’t have happened otherwise? This moron bite – which is itself for entertainment – and that’s it.

Perhaps, “I called it fascist first!” Except A: nobody cares and B: no you didn’t. I honestly can’t imagine that this accomplishes.

Indeed it might be slightly counter-productive. It raises NRx from whacky fringe to respectable enemy that needs be fought. Also raised: awareness. Anyone in Gillies’ audience who wouldn’t already reflexively reject NRx will now have heard of it and risks getting converted.

Most of the idiotic lipton-tea-bag beliefs that spread like wildfire and are repeated and spread by those who are using it as a form of social signalling are initially created by not unintelligent people (and often it’s hard to tell how sincere they are – on one level they are sincere but on another they know the simplifications they create are crude, but effective at getting the drones to nod along and hold the correct attitudes, if not the correct beliefs).

At the point of delivery (authorship), it’s more about well-poisoning and only secondarily about status-signalling. At the moronic point of consumption it’s all about status signalling and being led like sheep to know not to look any further into the ideas of Bad People because they’re Bad People with Bad Ideas.

Which is why it is “strategically adept” beyond the poo-flinging aspects (though those are certainly present even at the point-of-creation: it’s clever at point-of-creation because it *also* has a purpose beyond simply poo-flinging, though the morons who will lap it up and make them a botnet for the propagator are primarily status-signalling: and actually, put this way, it is possible – if strained – to reverse the fascism metaphor and hurl it back at the creator).

Something is very wrong with this fellow. He’s missing a funny bone, to say the least.

The good doctor seems to be right on the money.

Unfortunately social signalling is itself pitiful…

…says the ape smugly.

If anyone understands the importance of social signaling, it would seem to be Mr. Land.