Oren Aks, former social media designer for the Fyre Festival, argues that social media promotes the idolization of con artists and criminals. He cites figures like Billy McFarland and Anna Delvey as examples of individuals who garner public fascination, overshadowing traditional success stories. Aks expresses concern about the glorification of bad actors, suggesting it reflects a societal shift that prioritizes sensationalism over genuine achievement. He critiques the narrative that one must fail to achieve greatness, highlighting a troubling cultural trend in the American perception of success.
We look at them like they're iconic, like, 'Oh what's she wearing to court?' And ... at a certain point, you're just more obsessed with them as this narrative that you've built rather than who they actually are. ... If you met Billy, you wouldn't be impressed.
It used to be ... this inspirational route you would take in your career to kind of move up a ladder or earn a living and buy a house or something. Now, we vilify those people, and we glorify the bad, the scammy, the evil, and we look at those people as heroes.
Like style icons or freedom fighters or whatever other imaginary title you want to assign them. And I think ... it's very worrying as a societal shift. ... Why are we doing this?
America has built up the idea 'that you have to fail big to win big, or you have to try big to succeed.'
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