The Shit-Eating Grin: Defense Mechanism for a Modern "Man"

Jake can't stop cursing in this episode. We discuss the terribly obnoxious, punch-deserving, smirk that refuses to listen to the Other. Though prevalent especially in the world of Maga punditry, whether it be Zionists smirking at the word genocide, or Michael Knowles donning smarm as his personality, the shit-eating grin is a weaponized rejection of thought. It also reveals the shame and guilt of the would be cocky grinner. Andy thinks about how despairing it is to see this contagious proliferation overtake our culture, especially with the crying laughing emoji face. Sagi sees it has an abuse of shifting contexts, a way to escape any contextuality, and retreat into a hollow shell of superiority. We also took this opportunity to introduce Freud's idea of the defense mechanism, specifically the conversion symptoms of hysterics.