Make America Meme Again - Cal Thompson, 1st period

This article begins by explaining that nerds are often the underdog. In movies this is resolved through jolly pranking, but, the article explains, in the real world conflicts of social hierarchy and societal exclusion lead to serious consequences (including violence). In some cases, however, revenge is gotten by those formerly ostracized (such as now wealthy people classified as nerds) through strategic funding of organizations. One near-billionare, Palmer Luckey, funded a website devoted to Trump-related memes (it appears to have been created un-ironically). This has been viewed as a sort of vengeful trolling. The article does not clearly state wether or not Luckey sincerely supports Trump as more than a way of rebellion, and his support is referred to as "trolling" and "deliberate meme farming." The article also explains that most tech companies and supporters are striving to abolish current politics in favor of a "technocracy," which somewhat overshadows Luckey's support of Trump, and implies that Luckey's support is intended to troll and show his own power rather than to actually aid Trump.

I still cannot believe that this is an actual article. I myself am what one would call a "nerd," although I steer clear of the online gaming/technology-based community due to the cocky, often rude attitude of those who frequent message boards and threads there. To be willing to support Trump simply to make a statement about one's own power (as well as "for the lulz") is a bit much. Troll all you want, but maybe not in a way that could gain votes for Trump. (I highly recommend you visit the site that Luckey funded, though - there's a link in the article. I was greeted by a parody of the "Jaws" poster that I cannot believe was intended as serious Trump propaganda - but there ya go. 'Merica.) I strongly believe that there are better uses for one's disposable fortune than trolling in such a manner as this. Today's world is going on an odd track, and had you told me of this article being published with apparently serious intentions prior to my actually finding it, I would have laughed, giggled hysterically, and continued to mutter "for the lulz" every ten minutes for the next three hours.

This happening relates to oddly-motivated sponsorship throughout history, including product placement found in popular shows and movies. Luckey is using his sponsorship to feel accomplished rather than to rake in profits, but the result is the same. One party funds another to receive attention (be that attention politically, economically, or socially structured).

Source:
http://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/09/revenge-of-the-nerds/501344/