‘WEIRD’ SCIENCE: Empirical Evidence That ‘Weird’ Is Cratering the GOP
A viral thread and studies that back it up, the ‘weird’ meme wars have real world impacts because “no one wants to belong to a herd of weirdos”. More expert comments
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“No one wants to belong to a herd of weirdos.”—Alex Alvarova
“Calling Republicans weird is putting a name to the undefinable ways we can sense their corruption.”—Andrea Hildebran Smith
“This stripe of wannabe tyrants rage at the thought of people not being in a constant state of fear or awe of them.”—Nadine Smith
When I threaded excerpts from my Byline Supplement report 24 hours ago, I never expected it to go viral but such is the Power of Weird.
In my report for Byline Supplement, I reached out to global experts to get quotes on why this phenomenon has legs and included a summary of highlights in this post below:
I also marveled at the eloquence of Martin Sheil’s response, so I decided to include that in its own separate Letters to Bette post, which many of you seemed to love as much as I did:
As is a reporter’s plight — I am unable to include every brilliant quote I receive in a single investigation, so I am including below some of the late-breaking comments I received, as well as some empirical evidence proving why the “weird” moniker works.
Here goes:
Nadine Smith, Executive Director of Equality Florida:
There are studies that explore the power of labeling authoritarians or extremist figures as "weird" or "creepy," which can undermine their influence and authority. Here are some key points:
1. Framing Effects: By framing authoritarians as "weird" rather than "powerful" or "dangerous," it shifts the public perception from fear to ridicule, decreasing the perceived authority of these figures.
2. Undermining Charisma: Authoritarian leaders often rely on a charismatic image to garner support. Labeling them as "weird" undercuts this charisma, making them appear less competent and appealing.
3. Reducing Fear and Increasing Dismissal: Fear is used by authoritarians to maintain control. When labeled as "weird," the fear they instill can be replaced with dismissal or mockery, weakening the control authoritarian figures have over their followers.
4. Cognitive Dissonance: When supporters of authoritarian figures are presented with the idea that these leaders are "weird" or "creepy," it can create cognitive dissonance, especially if these supporters have previously seen them as strong or competent. Resolving this dissonance might lead some to reevaluate their support. Psychological research on cognitive dissonance supports the idea that changing the narrative can lead to shifts in public opinion.
Finally, the fact that it is getting under their skin is evidence that they are the authoritarians we say they are. Most people shrug off the weird label, or embrace it, or ignore it. But this stripe of wannabe tyrants rage at the thought of people not being in a constant state of fear or awe of them.
“Weird” says: You do not impress or scare us.—Nadine Smith, Executive Director, Equality Florida
Alex Alvarova, author, podcaster, and disinformation analyst:
The reason why any cult and brainwashing work is the false way of empowerment. People who struggle are longing for a feeling of power and control, which they receive in the cult plentifully. Remember the American PsyOp? How Wes Clark Jr had been told “you have such a powerful spirit inside of you.” They never tell you what you try to escape from: “You're weird. You know that.” And you don't want to be reminded of it. That breaks the image the cult is trying to create around itself. When people point the finger at your leader and tell you he's weird, there is nothing you can be proud of. You want to be a part of something powerful, scary. Not weird. No one wants to belong to the herd of weirdos.—Alex Alvarova, author, podcaster, disinformation analyst
Andrea Hildebran Smith, Resistance Mom podcaster and founder of FACTS (Floridians Against Corruption and Treason):
Calling Republicans weird is putting a name to the undefinable ways we can sense their corruption. There is corruption at the heart of everything emanating from Trump, Vance, Gaetz, DeSantis, Miller, Bannon, et al.
Their purpose is corrupt - it’s not to lead America but to strip the country for parts. Their funding is corrupt - not American, but Russian, Chinese, Turkish and Saudi. Their view of the world is corrupt - a lie of white supremacy and American exceptionalism. Their personas are corrupt - dominant men who wear makeup and heels. All these figures grasping for authority while being dogged every one by criminal charges and convictions.
People know when they’re being lied to, when someone is being insincere. These guys have played their hands farther than they ever should have been able to and there is a collective recognition that something is terribly wrong with all of them. We’re going to call it weird and give everybody in the nation a chance to agree.
Dems/progressives have relied for decades on hypocrisy as a framework for confronting our opposition. It’s something that works with people who are operating in good faith.
But we are facing corruption, not hypocrisy. It has a particular smell, a stench that we’ll never be able to tolerate again once we’ve identified it.—Andrea Hildebran Smith, Resistance Mom podcast, FACTS founder
Just as I received that last gem from Andrea, I was tweeting out how “weird” is actually cover for corruption, and I could not have said it better than she did.
I am grateful to know such brilliant women, and I am glad to be in this war with them and all of you.
Onward and upward.
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Begin each day with a grateful heart.
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Now I know something I did not before: weirdos come in HERDS.
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As to the simple fact of the corruption, I am coming to believe that as a former prosecutor, Harris as president ought to make fighting corruption — domestically AND internationally — her major focus. This meshes well both with key legislative and administrative reforms within US borders, and with an effective foreign policy.