rant · moment 13 of 19
Rule-Followers Are Motivated by Control, Not Fear
from #182 - Beware the Villas | The Tim Dillon Show · #182
4 min
He distinguishes rule-followers' motivations (desire for control and to feel superior) from rational fear, comparing them to informants in a tyrannical state, then transitions into having no secret formula to offer aspiring comics.
- Rule-followers are motivated by desire for control, not fear — they want to look down on others and feel superior.
- Tim describes rule-followers judging a hit-and-run victim for not having health insurance, wanting moral superiority over someone in a coma.
- People who follow rules believe they ascend the social ladder by informing on others, parking violations and minor infractions.
- Rule-followers and informants would be the first to betray neighbors under a tyrannical government for reeducation camps.
- Rational fear, by contrast, motivates hard work — Tim fears disappointing his audience with bad content and releases from a hotel in Timonium, Maryland.
- People without fear seem insane, like children who believe in Santa Claus and don't understand consequences.
- There's no answer to how someone becomes a successful comedian or feature act — either it happens or it doesn't, over two years or five or never.