there was a time when the determined virtue signaler sought to project or at least ape actual virtue.

alas, today we get mostly statistical and epidemiological ignorance baked into evangelical cultism.

the cult of the mask has taken on a life of its own as long term wear has intersected with cognitive dissonance to intensify belief into a jihadi religion.

when you act like a fool for an entire year, it takes a pretty outlandish internal narrative to avoid admitting it to yourself and you can and will twist reality into pretzels to sustain it.

this is like watching someone brag about mistaking a dunce cap for the valedictorian’s robes.