rant · moment 11 of 12
Coincidences, Hinckley, and American Exceptionalism
from Weinstein Company Man · #66
Audio-only archive episode — no video to seek.
6 minTim connects the Reagan assassination attempt and the Bush/Hinckley family dinner coincidence to a broader point about Americans' blind faith that their power structures are more benevolent than Russia's or Germany's, then circles back to Weinstein and Hollywood's fake public image versus its 'emotional Ponzi scheme' reality for aspiring actors.
- 54:14Hollywood is unique among major industries for having a public image drastically different from its actual reality.
- 55:12Much of Hollywood functions as a way to establish narratives about America and who we are, operating as an emotional Ponzi scheme where talented people work for free.
- 55:54Women pursuing stardom become targets for sexual exploitation, marginalized simply for wanting success in the industry.
- 56:29Actors and actresses give speeches about following dreams and equality while ignoring the dark underbelly and seedy realities of what you actually have to do to get ahead.
- 57:24Hollywood is run by corporate entities at best, or at worst by laundered foreign money being funneled through bond floats—not by a collective of artists like people believe.
- 58:03People move to LA because, as Patrice O'Neill said, once you're in it you can make two million a week or a month—and the type of person willing to tolerate exploitation for that money will keep their mouth shut.
- 58:35The average person sees the 1% who make it and dismisses the exploited 99% as expendable, thinking they should have stayed home instead of trying to be a star.
- 58:56People from your hometown resent you for leaving to pursue your dream, feeling like you thought you were better than them, so there's little sympathy when you get exploited.
- 59:09Now nobody wants to pay creators for anything—everyone expects content to be free while pushing subscription services and promo codes.