DARK HUMOR AND DARK POLITICS
What Are MAGAs Suffering From?
What explains their cognitive function?
Sincerest condolences to anyone afflicted with or caring for one with Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD). It is a horrible disease that takes our loved ones from us.
Whatever the mechanism, cognitive decline is always sad. One must look hard to find any humor in it. And though there are brief moments of levity, they never compensate for the downward slide.
Reminded of the specter of FTD by recent news regarding actor Bruce Willis, those at risk and those who have lost loved ones are prompted to learn the symptoms. A dark correlation emerges.
“Some people with frontotemporal dementia have dramatic changes in their personalities and become socially inappropriate, impulsive or emotionally indifferent, while others lose the ability to use language properly.”
Further cherry-picking the lists of symptoms from the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, a certain conclusion is unavoidable.
MAGAs have a form of Frontotemporal Dementia
From the actual lists of symptoms for FTD:
- Increasingly inappropriate social behavior — The “Let’s Go Brandon” chants and banners are tell-tale examples.
- Loss of empathy and other interpersonal skills, such as having sensitivity to another’s feelings — And it goes beyond this. MAGAs enjoy “triggering” those who do not agree with them by posting nonsense designed primarily to make others angry.
- Lack of judgment — This goes without saying but will be said anyway. It is a mystery how anyone with fully operative cognitive function can support a narcissistic insurrectionist.
- Loss of inhibition — Does it seem to you that storming the Capitol was a good idea?
- Repetitive compulsive behavior — “Lock her up, lock her up.”
- A decline in personal hygiene — Maybe that horned hat and fur vest were recently laundered, but one has to wonder.
- Behavior and/or dramatic personality changes — We’ve all seen this. Friends have gone to the dark side and become completely different people.
- Socially inappropriate behaviors — Do normal people fly flags brandishing expletives?
- Emotional withdrawal from others — Particularly from those who do not “believe.”
- Inability to use or understand language; this may include difficulty naming objects, expressing words, or understanding the meanings of words — You really don’t want to poke the hornet’s nest, but if you ask a MAGA about some fact that does not support his or her position, the discussion will soon devolve into epithets and highly emotional irrelevance.
- Agitation — It’s not normal or socially acceptable to declare one’s allegiance to a bloated politician and stomp out of the room after receiving a critical comment.
- Increasing dependence — Independent thought is jettisoned as dogma is embraced. Critical thinking is an early casualty of the disease.
Causes
The frontal and temporal lobes of the brain shrink in those suffering from MAGA-frontotemporal dementia (MAGA-FTD). The cause of shrinkage is unknown, but research is ongoing. Several types of media exposure are being investigated. Additional research is being conducted by scientists exploring a link between the disease and dispersions from Chinese Spy Balloons.
Treatment
There is currently no cure or specific treatment for MAGA-FTD. We can only deal with the symptoms as those afflicted decline.
But those with afflicted loved ones should not lose hope. The Lincoln Project is campaigning to combat suspected causes. Also, consider contributing to activities designed to combat Gerrymandering and Dark Money used to spread the disease.
This post is in no way intended to cheapen or diminish the stark reality of those suffering from Frontotemporal Dementia and those who love and care for them. Nor is it intended to poke fun at anyone suffering from cognitive decline.
The intent is to point out the similarities between steadfast MAGA supporters and those afflicted with horrible diseases that reduce cognitive function. These similarities are difficult to deny.
