Though they were both democratically decided and have to be respected, a lot of people are unhappy with the result of the EU Referendum and US Presidential Election.
Both results signified a turning point for both the UK and USA, one which many millions of people are scratching their heads over. Trump is already President Trump, and despite the Supreme Court’s decision that MPs must have a vote on triggering Article 50, the British government is committed to leaving the EU.
Naturally, people who didn’t get what they wanted are looking for answers, for something to blame. Or, in the case of neuroscientist and writer Dean Burnett, someone.
Burnett had no doubts when it came to who he blamed for Brexit and Trump: Simon Cowell.
According to Burnett, thanks to the creation of The X Factor and shows of its ilk, people now vote based on emotions rather than reason, and that it’s now not only acceptable to behave like a “reprehensible bastard” in public, but actually laudable.
You know what, he might have a point.
But wait, there’s more to Burnett’s theory, so we’ll just let you read it.
1.
You know who I blame for all this mess, all the grim Brexit and Trump chaos going down lately? Simon Cowell. Honestly.
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
2.
Simon Cowell made it the mainstream norm for people to vote based on emotional resonance, not actual skill or ability. /2
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
3.
Simon Cowell made it not just acceptable but actually profitable to dismiss the plight and aspirations of others, to even mock them /3
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
4.
Simon Cowell showed us that people who are pointlessly cruel and vindictive should be kowtowed too, even shown gratitude /4
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
5.
Simon Cowell showed us that ageing sociopathic weird-haired perma-orange businessmen should be bowed to, for some ungodly reason /5
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
6.
Simon Cowell showed us that the desperate are only valid when they amuse us, and that they should be immensely grateful for our praise /6
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
7.
Simon Cowell showed that behaving like a reprehensible bastard in public is fine, and that people will pay you attention /7
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
8.
Simon Cowell showed us that you don't need to give a shit about others, if anything it hinders your success /8
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
9.
Simon Cowell showed us that people are expendable, no matter what they've done for you, you owe them nothing once you've lost interest /9
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
10.
All this, in the mainstream, at prime time, for over a decade. Don't tell me that's not going to influence how people think/behave /10
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
11.
Know he's not the only one responsible for all this, but he's the 'avatar'. And I don't like how he's got away with it all. Prick. /End
— Dean Burnett (@Garwboy@ohai.social) (@garwboy) January 24, 2017
OK, some of this is clearly a little tangential, but it would be foolhardy to deny that shows like The X Factor haven’t shaped the public consciousness in some way, both here and abroad. Did that lead directly to Brexit and Trump? It’s unlikely, but it’s an interesting place to start.
Feature: Ian Gavan / Chip Somodevilla /Getty Images
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