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.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823857110106652673
2.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823857373160833024
3.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823857729316028418
4.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823858010560888834
5.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823858367131250688
6.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823858657209319425
7.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823858949720076292
8.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823859281376276481
9.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823859631646707712
10.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823860063421005824
11.
https://twitter.com/garwboy/status/823860474911608832
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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