Is Hastie a hero for tackling Hanson? It’s complicated
This piece explores how social media accelerates the cycle of public outrage, turning political figures into either villains or heroes based on simplified narratives. It uses the recent controversy surrounding One Nation's Warren Pickering to illustrate how political parties manipulate these cycles for sympathy.
Why it matters
Understanding the mechanics of social media outrage is essential for navigating modern political discourse and identifying how public opinion is manufactured.
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Share A A A Anyone who has spent time on social media has seen the cycle. First, transgression: a particular social boundary is seen to have been breached. Second, demonising: the individual accused of the transgression is turned into a villain. Third, the backlash, as those who object to this particular social boundary being policed push back hard. Finally, on the principle of “my enemy’s enemy is my friend”, the original villain becomes a hero of sorts, at least to one side of politics.
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