Kevin Wynter, a professor of communication studies at Pomona College, said this irrational belief in oneself is one reason why villains resonate so deeply in the culture. “In a repressive society like ours that favors conformity to better nurturing consumers, positive figures reject the trappings of the capitalist imagination or activists Following self-made moral codes in opposition to the dominant society certainly appeals to our ways. maybe not all want to admit it publicly,” he said.
Today, traditional notions of evil have been replaced by complex, sometimes paradoxical, standards of what different groups consider acceptable or threatening. Wynter believes this has led to a “post-villain world.” Technology tycoon (Elon Musk), politician (Mayor of New York City Eric Adams), podcaster (Joe Rogan)—to many, they are the chief transgressors of our time (and heroes to others). They are anti-establishment. They want to overthrow “the system”.
“If anything, there are few villains who combine farce, wealth and power as skillfully as Donald Trump,” Wynter added. “Even his latest parasitic attachment, Elon Musk – who, again, to some is the perfect villain, is to others an ideological cowboy. aggressive future meaning.”
It's a matter of the future, you never know exactly how it will turn out or who it will benefit. For some, artificial intelligence is the main villain of 2024. Across Hollywood and the gaming industry, AI has revealed itself to be the main villain of 2024. more than an existential threatas many workers worry about job loss.
Others, feeling out of place as social media undergoes a dramatic transformation, have rightly pointed the finger at the digital gentrifiers. “I'm angry because everything that was interesting and useful on the Internet 10 years ago is now broken. obviously this website,” said Tracy Chou, an app developer, posted on X. “The reviews are astronomical lies. Looking for someone who is hallucinating. there is nowhere to share with friends and family without influential/meme/polarizing content flooding the feed.”
At times like unprecedented like oursFor all the anxiety and agitation, reorienting to truly transgressive readings is less shocking when you consider it as part of a larger process of social restructuring. Villains have long permeated the cultural imagination—after all, American lore is built on the sensibilities of weirdos, vigilantes, and underdogs—but in 2024 , it already has the main character completely.
Why? It could be that villainy, more than heroism, offers a different texture of purpose, one that is closer to reality, one that sees our world as it is – utterly miserable. accident – and the corresponding response.
What I can say for sure is that the villain has no specific allegiances. It eventually consumes everyone. In December, it was announced that Warner Bros. Discovery has been boxed Sesame Streetlong-running children's show. Understandably, the decision did not go well. On Bluesky, the current social media app, @valhallabackgirl responded with the same fury that many people have also experienced this year. “I guess this is my villain origin story,” she said. wrote.