The secret to Yang’s success is both remarkably simple and deeply reflective of how the internet has democratized national politics. He has built his campaign almost exclusively on the idea that America needs a universal basic income as more jobs are eliminated by automation and robotics. And people who are thrilled with the prospect of getting a $1,000 monthly check from the government—which Yang has dubbed the “Freedom Dividend”—have responded by giving to his campaign and creating memes about Yang and spreading them online.
[…]
Word and support of his candidacy has spread to some of the internet’s more vile, yet influential, communities as well. Over the past few weeks, Yang has been the topic of frequent positive 4Chan threads, normally a stronghold for Donald Trump’s most racist supporters. Yang’s UBI proposal has been especially appealing to 4Chan users who embrace the shiftless “NEET” lifestyle (“Not in Education, Employment, or Training”) and would rather play videogames all day than have jobs. 4Chan posters have admiringly started to call Yang’s Freedom Dividend proposal “NEETbux.”
what the fuck is even going on anymore i don’t get it
4chan is apparently so reactionary that they swing from one position to the other like a goddamn pendulum
4chan racists overthrowing 6+ years of Nazi brainwashing for the prospect of $12,000 a year is the most 4chan thing I can imagine