The core sickness revealed by the Epstein saga may not be a specific psychiatric ailment. Instead, it is a symptom of a powerful elite who believe their wealth and proximity to power make them immune to the laws and moral standards that apply to everyone else, turning potential crimes into a perverse form of entertainment.

Michael Tracey asserts that the most sensational aspects of the Epstein story, like the global blackmail ring, originate from a small number of mentally unwell accusers. He points to recanted testimonies and inconsistencies as reasons to question the foundation of the entire narrative.

Social media algorithms incentivize outrage, leading to the public takedown of individuals with tangential or minor connections to the Epstein case. This 'ring light virtue' dilutes focus from actual criminals who committed heinous acts, allowing them to escape justice while the public is distracted by online gossip and character assassinations.

A massive information dump like the Epstein files doesn't lead to a unified truth. Instead, it causes society to fragment into dozens of competing narratives, with individuals choosing the version that best aligns with their pre-existing beliefs, deepening polarization.

Michael Tracey fears the widespread, uncritical promotion of a narrative involving mass child rape by elites could incite violence. He warns that individuals with mental instability, believing these claims, might be driven to homicidally "crazy" actions, making responsible journalism critical.

Societal fears, or "moral panics," are cyclical. While the targets change (from witchcraft to 5G wireless), the underlying tactics of exploiting fears around child safety and innocence remain consistent throughout history, repeating the same patterns.

The mass release of Epstein documents, without a trusted institution to filter them, creates a justice problem. Trivial details (like being on an invite list) are over-punished through public shaming, while truly criminal behavior gets lost in the noise, leading to a "mushed together" outcome.

The widely circulated claim of "over 1,000" Epstein victims, originating from an FBI/DOJ memo, is a fraud. Michael Tracey points to FBI memoranda within the Epstein files that admit this total improperly includes family members and adults, not just underage victims.

The New York Times and other outlets are focusing on figures like Peter Thiel and Elon Musk, while individuals with deeper ties to Epstein, like Reid Hoffman, receive minimal coverage. This suggests a political bias in reporting on the scandal, eroding trust in institutions.