When did the Purge become realistic intelligent science fiction literature?

[Thebestoftherest]

This is a pet peeve of mine, but there are no Alpha wolves. It was a failed scientific experiment that has been since repudiated by its originator. Wolves are non-heirarchal animals.

That's not quite accurate; packs are extended families and Mom and Dad are still very much in charge. Somebody has to teach the pups how to Wolf properly and keep them fed in the meantime, after all.

Although that said, you know what animal does have alpha males and a dominance hierarchy enforced by violence just like the pop-culture stereotype? Chimps.

So like Janeway and Voyager, but less dangerous?

[clearspira]

This is a pet peeve of mine, but there are no Alpha wolves. It was a failed scientific experiment that has been since repudiated by its originator. Wolves are non-heirarchal animals.

That's not quite accurate; packs are extended families and Mom and Dad are still very much in charge. Somebody has to teach the pups how to Wolf properly and keep them fed in the meantime, after all.

Although that said, you know what animal does have alpha males and a dominance hierarchy enforced by violence just like the pop-culture stereotype? Chimps.

Regardless of what we call Alphas, there is absolutely no doubt that some people are far more domineering, demanding and charismatic to a level that most other people simply are not. These are people, for good or for ill, that hundreds of millions of people gravitate towards in a way that you or I absolutely could not pull off. These people control a room just by walking into it.

Trump is the obvious example. There are people who love this guy. And I don't mean figuratively. I mean, I have seen footage of people BREAKING DOWN in tears whilst in his presence as if they've just been touched by Jesus himself. There is something in the human psyche that overrides reason and common sense when in the presence of certain people even though said person is a convicted criminal who wants to become a Forever President.

As long as such people exist, you could never have a society based on the equal distribution of wealth and privilege. It just cannot happen.

[McAvoy]

I am not sure Trump belongs up there as a 'Alpha'.

He isn't a smooth talker, he isn't charismatic in any kind of way, he might be domineering but that is just because he is used to get getting his way, in any way. He certainly isn't a smart man either.

If you really dive into his businesses he really is an unsuccessful one in every kind of sense. His only success is his reality show and he burned through that money by the time he announced his candidacy. Before that reality show he was basically being held afloat by his father's money especially through the 90's.

I know he is a con man. The saying goes it's easier to con a man than to convince a man he has been conned. That being said, 2016 was probably the perfect storm for someone like Trump to come in.

[Nealithi]

I am not sure Trump belongs up there as a 'Alpha'.

He isn't a smooth talker, he isn't charismatic in any kind of way, he might be domineering but that is just because he is used to get getting his way, in any way. He certainly isn't a smart man either.

If you really dive into his businesses he really is an unsuccessful one in every kind of sense. His only success is his reality show and he burned through that money by the time he announced his candidacy. Before that reality show he was basically being held afloat by his father's money especially through the 90's.

I know he is a con man. The saying goes it's easier to con a man than to convince a man he has been conned. That being said, 2016 was probably the perfect storm for someone like Trump to come in.

The problem is the concept of an 'Alpha', would they attract everyone and everything? Trump, good or bad, does attract rabidly loyal followers. And creates equally rabid dissenters. My mother has a Pavlovian response to mentioning Trump's name. And she does not curse often. To you and I he is neither smooth nor charismatic, but to those that he speaks to. His opponents speak like chimps. Those that deny Donald are either incompetent or insert anti-sentiment here.

[hammerofglass]

I think a lot of what throws most of us off about Trump is that trick he has where he's a [negative trait] man's idea of a [opposite positive trait] man. He isn't smart but he's what stupid people think smart looks like. Those stupid power moves he does that make him look weak and pathetic to most people make him look powerful and dominating to the people with a child's understanding of social interaction. His ignorant bigotry of all kinds just sounds like profound truth telling to bigots.

It just doesn't fit our model. There's a way we expect politicians, preachers, and what have you to perform leadership whether it's someone we actually like or not and he's aping it badly with no understanding of how it works... but he's cultivated a following to whom that's more effective than doing it properly.

[Riedquat]

I think a lot of what throws most of us off about Trump is that trick he has where he's a [negative trait] man's idea of a [opposite positive trait] man. He isn't smart but he's what stupid people think smart looks like.

An interesting way of looking at it, never really thought of him as doing that but I see exactly where you're coming from. You could say the same about a few other people with a lot of followers too.

[Thebestoftherest]

Musk anyone.

[CharlesPhipps]

Musk anyone.

The fact Musk admires Trump when he actually is a brilliant con man is actually weirdly sad.

[Riedquat]

Musk anyone.

The fact Musk admires Trump when he actually is a brilliant con man is actually weirdly sad.

Not sure which one of them you're saying is a brilliant con man because neither of them fit the word "brilliant".

[CharlesPhipps]

Not sure which one of them you're saying is a brilliant con man because neither of them fit the word "brilliant".

Elon is the richest man in the world and Trump is always treading water.

But I suppose the fact Trump has a massive cult and became President marks him as one as well.

They're terrible at everything but destroying lives with lies but they're VERY good at that.