O'Leary distinguishes between celebrity and politics. As a celebrity, 50% of people may dislike you. As a politician, 50% hate you, and a "lunatic fringe" of 2.5% poses a physical threat to you and your family. He found this reality untenable, even in Canada.
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Governor Pritzker recounts how an influencer filmed outside his home, framing him as an "enemy" after a murder. He also describes influencers broadcasting the location of Texas legislators who had fled to Illinois, forcing them to be moved for their safety. This highlights a dangerous escalation from online rhetoric to real-world threats.
Cable news and social media don't show the average person who votes differently. They blast the loudest, most cartoonish "professional lunatics" from the opposing side. This creates a false impression that the entire opposition is extreme, making tribalism seem rational.
The most significant threat to a political ideology comes not from the opposing party, but from the 'lunatics' on its own side. These extreme factions can make the entire group appear foolish and unreasonable, doing more damage to their credibility than any opponent ever could.
David Rubenstein highlights that despite risks like assassination, impeachment, and public failure, individuals still pursue the presidency. This is not a rational career choice but the ultimate expression of ambition in politics—a drive to reach the absolute "top of the totem pole" in their profession, regardless of the personal cost.
A savvy political strategy involves forcing opponents to publicly address the most extreme statements from their ideological allies. This creates an impossible purity test. No answer is good enough for the fringe, and any attempt to placate them alienates the mainstream, effectively creating a schism that benefits the opposing party.
While some creators debate the brand risk of hosting politicians, Ananiya Williams highlights a graver concern: physical safety. Confronting a figure like Donald Trump would make her, a Black trans woman, a direct target for violent extremists, a risk not equally shared by other creators.
Congressman Ro Khanna argues that the primary corrupting force in American politics has shifted from money to hate and extremism. The modern attention economy rewards divisive behavior with media coverage and base support, making rational, bipartisan compromise a politically costly strategy.
This concept describes a psychological state where empathy is completely withdrawn from an "out-group." This allows individuals to justify and even celebrate violence against perceived enemies, seeing it not as murder but as a necessary and righteous act in service of their in-group.
Financially independent politicians have an "escape hatch" unavailable to careerists. When faced with intense political pressure, isolation from their party, and public attacks, they can simply choose to leave. The misery of politics is judged against the alternative of a comfortable life, making resignation a constant temptation.
Reflecting on his own experiences, Elon Musk advises business leaders to stay out of politics. He concludes that engaging in the political arena is a 'blood sport' where opponents 'go for the jugular,' and that his conclusion is to do less of it.
