How the Joker Became Political

The Take
11 Jan 202022:09

Summary

TLDRThe video script explores the political dimensions of the Joker, a character traditionally seen as a chaotic force in comic books. It delves into how the Joker's portrayal has evolved from apolitical to a symbol of societal unrest, reflecting various political ideologies. The script discusses the character's transformation in Todd Phillips' 'Joker,' which humanizes Arthur Fleck, a man pushed to madness by an uncaring world. It examines the film's reception, with critics debating its political message and potential to incite violence. The Joker emerges as a versatile symbol for the marginalized, challenging the status quo and embodying a desire for recognition and rebellion against societal neglect.

Takeaways

  • 🃏 The Joker character from Todd Phillips' film is seen as a response to a world that has ignored and abused him, rather than a political statement.
  • 🎭 The Joker's portrayal has evolved over time, with earlier versions focusing on chaos and violence, rather than political messages.
  • 🔍 The film has been controversial, with critics accusing it of being toxic and incendiary, while the director denies any political intent.
  • 🗓️ The Joker's politicization began with Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight', which was interpreted as raising political questions due to its release timing post-9/11.
  • 🌐 The character has been used as a symbol by various political groups, reflecting different ideologies and societal reactions.
  • 👤 The Joker's lack of a coherent political ideology makes him a versatile symbol for those who feel marginalized or disenfranchised.
  • 🎭 Todd Phillips' 'Joker' humanizes the character, showing his transformation as a response to societal neglect and oppression.
  • 🔥 The film has been associated with discussions on incels and potential real-world violence, highlighting its polarizing impact.
  • 📰 The Joker has been compared to various political figures, from George W. Bush to Barack Obama, reflecting different perspectives on chaos and order.
  • 🌈 The film's reception and the character's symbolism speak to broader societal issues, including the need for recognition and the challenge to the status quo.

Q & A

  • What is the main theme explored in Todd Phillips' Joker movie?

    -The movie explores the transformation of Arthur Fleck, an ordinary man, into the Joker due to a world that ignores and abuses him, leading to madness and violence.

  • How is Arthur Fleck's character portrayed in the Joker movie?

    -Arthur Fleck is portrayed as an isolated man with an uncontrollable medical condition, who is victimized by society and pushed to violence out of self-defense.

  • What is the political interpretation of the Joker's character in the comics?

    -Initially, the Joker wasn't political in the comics. However, his character was politicized in Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight, where he was seen as a terrorist and a symbol of chaos.

  • How was the Joker's character used in relation to political figures?

    -The Joker has been used as a symbol for various political figures, including George W. Bush, Barack Obama, and Donald Trump, depending on who is seen as the agent of chaos.

  • What is the connection between the Joker and the 'incels' community?

    -Some members of the 'involuntary celibates' community have related to the Joker as a symbol of their anger and frustration, seeing him as a spokesman for their cause.

  • What is the significance of the Joker's need for attention in a political context?

    -The Joker's need for attention reflects a political message about the need for recognition and visibility, which can be a tool for expressing dissatisfaction with the status quo.

  • How does the Joker's character evolve from a comic book villain to a symbol of societal alienation?

    -The Joker evolves from a comic book villain to a symbol of societal alienation by representing the anger and frustration of those who feel powerless and ignored by society.

  • What is the controversy surrounding the Joker movie in terms of potential real-world violence?

    -The controversy revolves around concerns that the movie might inspire real-world violence, especially among disenfranchised groups who identify with the Joker's character.

  • How does the Joker's character in the movie reflect the broader societal issues?

    -The Joker's character reflects societal issues such as wealth inequality, lack of empathy for the mentally ill, and the consequences of a society that neglects its vulnerable members.

  • What is the significance of the Joker's transformation into a symbol of populist uprising in the movie?

    -The transformation signifies a response to systemic oppression and a call for societal change, as Arthur Fleck's violence sparks a populist uprising against the wealthy elite in Gotham.

  • How does the Joker's character differ between Todd Phillips' Joker and Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight?

    -In The Dark Knight, the Joker is portrayed as a chaotic, philosophical terrorist with no desire for power, while in Todd Phillips' Joker, he is humanized with a backstory, shown as a victim of circumstance who turns to violence out of self-defense.

Outlines

00:00

🃏 The Joker's Political Controversy

The paragraph discusses the controversy surrounding the Joker character, particularly in Todd Phillips' film. It highlights that the film portrays the Joker as a man driven to madness by a society that neglects him. Critics have accused the film of being toxic and incendiary, with some interpreting it as a political statement. However, the director denies any political intent, aiming to provoke thought rather than make a statement. The paragraph also touches on the Joker's origins and his portrayal in different eras, noting that while he has occasionally been politicized, his primary motivation is chaos rather than power.

05:04

🔍 The Dark Knight's Political Reading

This paragraph delves into the political interpretations of the Joker in Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight'. It suggests that the film's themes of justice, moral relativity, and human nature, along with its release during a period of heightened security concerns, led to political readings. Some saw the film as endorsing controversial post-9/11 security measures, while others viewed the Joker as a symbol of chaos, reflecting different perspectives on the 'war on terror'. The paragraph also mentions how the Joker's character was used in political satire, with different figures being likened to him based on the viewer's political stance.

10:05

👑 The Joker as a Symbol of Populist Frustration

The paragraph explores how the Joker has been adopted as a symbol by those feeling disenfranchised and frustrated with societal norms. It discusses the character's portrayal as an outsider who challenges the status quo, which resonates with individuals experiencing alienation. The Joker's transformation into a figure of rebellion is examined, particularly in Todd Phillips' film, where his descent into violence is presented as a response to societal oppression. The paragraph also considers the Joker's appeal to various groups, from internet trolls to political protesters, and the diverse ways his character is interpreted in relation to real-world issues.

15:06

🎭 The Joker's Connection to Real-World Politics

This paragraph examines the Joker's connection to real-world politics, noting how he has been used to represent various political figures and ideologies. It discusses the character's portrayal as both a destructive force and a symbol of liberation, depending on the context. The paragraph also addresses the controversy surrounding Todd Phillips' 'Joker', including concerns about inciting violence and the film's reception by different political groups. The Joker's complexity and his ability to reflect societal alienation are highlighted, emphasizing his role as a versatile political symbol.

20:08

🌐 The Joker as a Reflection of Societal Discontent

The final paragraph considers the Joker as a reflection of societal discontent and alienation. It discusses how the character's need for attention and his disdain for the ruling class make him an attractive figure for political messaging. The paragraph suggests that the Joker's appeal lies in his representation of those who feel marginalized and his ability to embody both negative and positive challenges to the status quo. It concludes by emphasizing the Joker's role as a symbol of rebellion and chaos, and how his character can be interpreted in various ways depending on the viewer's perspective.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Joker

The Joker is a comic book character and the archenemy of Batman, known for his criminal acts and chaotic nature. In the video, the Joker is discussed as a character who evolves from being a mere antagonist to a complex symbol of societal alienation and political commentary. The script explores how different portrayals of the Joker reflect or comment on the political and social climates of their times, making him a versatile symbol for various ideologies.

💡Political Statement

A political statement is a position or view expressed about politics or social issues. The video script discusses whether the Joker's character and the narratives surrounding him can be interpreted as making a political statement. It examines the controversy around Todd Phillips' 'Joker' film, which some view as a political commentary on societal neglect and inequality, while others argue it's purely a character study of a man driven to madness.

💡Controversy

Controversy refers to a dispute or debate, typically about a matter of opinion or a topical issue. The script highlights the controversy surrounding the 'Joker' film, which was seen by some as toxic and incendiary, potentially encouraging violence or sympathizing with the character's descent into madness. The controversy is tied to the film's perceived political messages and societal implications.

💡Alienation

Alienation is the feeling of being an outsider or not belonging in a particular environment or society. In the context of the video, alienation is a central theme in the Joker's character development, as he is portrayed as a man pushed to the fringes of society, leading to his transformation into a symbol of rebellion and chaos. The script connects this theme to broader societal issues of neglect and marginalization.

💡Chaos

Chaos refers to a state of extreme confusion and disorder. The Joker is often associated with chaos, as he represents an agent of anarchy and disruption. The video discusses how the Joker's character has been used to symbolize various forms of societal chaos, from political unrest to personal disillusionment, making him a potent symbol for different groups and ideologies.

💡Symbol

A symbol is something that represents or stands for something else, often in a metaphorical sense. The Joker is described as a symbol in the video, embodying various social, political, and psychological themes. His character is analyzed as a reflection of societal alienation, a critique of the establishment, and a representation of the consequences of neglect and abuse.

💡Todd Phillips

Todd Phillips is the director of the 'Joker' film discussed in the script. Phillips' portrayal of the Joker is a significant point of analysis, as it offers a gritty, origin story that humanizes the character and explores his transformation into a symbol of chaos. The video discusses the director's intent and the public's varied interpretations of the film's message.

💡Arthur Fleck

Arthur Fleck is the name of the Joker's character before he becomes the iconic villain. The script uses Arthur Fleck to illustrate the character's descent into madness, driven by societal neglect and personal trauma. Fleck's transformation is central to the video's exploration of the Joker as a symbol of societal alienation and political commentary.

💡Misogyny

Misogyny is the dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women. The video script touches on the association of the Joker with misogyny, particularly in relation to the film's reception and the character's potential to inspire real-world violence or extremist views. It discusses the character's portrayal and its implications for societal attitudes towards women.

💡Populist Uprising

A populist uprising refers to a movement or action driven by ordinary people against the elite or established structures. The video discusses how the Joker's actions in the film can be seen as sparking a populist uprising, reflecting a broader societal tension between the wealthy and the marginalized. This concept is used to analyze the film's political implications and its resonance with contemporary social issues.

Highlights

The Joker's character is not inherently political but has been interpreted as such in various adaptations.

Joker's portrayal as an ordinary man driven to madness by an uncaring world in Todd Phillips' film.

Critics have deemed the film toxic and incendiary, sparking controversy and divisive discourse.

The Joker's character has evolved from apolitical to a symbol of chaos and political commentary.

The Joker's portrayal in Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight' introduced political themes and societal commentary.

The Joker's character has been used to represent various political ideologies, reflecting societal fears and frustrations.

Todd Phillips' 'Joker' is seen as a response to a world that feels evil, validating the character's alienation and anger.

The film's controversy includes concerns about inciting violence and stoking real-world tensions.

The Joker's character has been compared to various political figures, reflecting different viewpoints on chaos and order.

The Joker's transformation in the film is presented as an inevitable response to systemic oppression.

The film's reception is divided based on personal politics, with some seeing it as an indictment of neoliberal capitalism.

The Joker's character is used as a symbol for the disenfranchised and a tool for political messaging.

The Joker's need for attention and recognition is inherently political, reflecting a desire to challenge the status quo.

The film's ending suggests that the Joker's actions lead to a populist uprising against societal elites.

The Joker's character serves as a Rorschach test, reflecting the viewer's own alienation and political beliefs.

The Joker's portrayal in various films and media is a reflection of the societal and political climate of the time.

The film's release was met with controversy and debate over its potential impact on societal violence and unrest.

The Joker's character is a versatile symbol, adaptable to various political contexts and ideologies.

Transcripts

play00:00

when we spoke earlier you mentioned that

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this look is not a political statement

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is that right all Jokers Arthur Fleck

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ever wanted was to be noticed in todd

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phillips is grim origins story for the

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comic book villain we meet the Joker as

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an ordinary man who is slowly driven to

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madness and eventually murder by a world

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that's done nothing but ignore and abuse

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him you don't listen do you I don't

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think you ever really human Arthur's

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uncontrollable medical condition has

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left him both isolated and exposed

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because the system that's supposed to

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help him doesn't seem to care you just

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ask the same questions every week how's

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your job are you having any negative

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thoughts all I have a negative thoughts

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this psychological study has been

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interpreted as a political statement

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something that has left the film mired

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in controversy since the moment anyone

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laid eyes on it critics deemed the film

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toxic and incendiary the wrong movie

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aimed at the wrong audience who were

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sure to take from it the wrong message

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but what message was that anyway and who

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exactly was the film talking to while

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Phillips has explicitly denied that

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Joker is a political film I'm not

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political I'm not just trying to make

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people laugh and how's that going for

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the heated and divisive discourse around

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the film prove that it is too many

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viewers even if no one agrees on what

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its politics

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actually are so how did a criminally

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insane clown the living embodiment of

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chaos become one of the most potent and

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controversial symbols of our time here's

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our take on the unlikely political life

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of the Joker take your time

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got all night

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this video is brought to you by skill

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[Music]

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the concept of the Joker did have some

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political roots the characters frozen

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mirthless grin was partially modeled on

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conrad veidt in the man who laughs the

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1928 film adaptation of Victor Hugo's

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novel about a man who was cruelly

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disfigured as revenge by his father's

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political rival

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but from the characters 1940 debut in

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Batman number one through the decades of

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appearances and adaptations that

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followed the Joker wasn't interested in

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politics he was far too concerned with

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pulling crazy capers and committing

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random acts of violence the rare

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exception that proved the rule came in

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the 1980s with the jim Starlin penned a

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death in the family

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released at the height of us tensions

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with Iran this story finds the Joker

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being appointed as the Iranian

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ambassador to the United Nations by none

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other than the Ayatollah Khomeini it's a

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position he held just long enough to try

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murdering a roomful of diplomats but the

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whole Iran Ambassador plotline was

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quickly abandoned and the Joker never

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got overtly political in the comics

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again that's because unlike Superman's

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foe Lex Luthor you know the oldest lie

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in America senator that power can be

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innocent the Joker doesn't hunger for

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power he ridicules it

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[Music]

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the joker truly became politicized for

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the first time in Christopher Nolan's

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The Dark Knight in 2008 some men aren't

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looking for anything logical like money

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they can't be bullied reasoned or

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negotiated with some men just want to

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watch the world burn this unusually

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philosophical comic book movie asks

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soul-searching questions about justice

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moral relativity and human nature you

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either die a hero or you live long

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enough to see yourself become the

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villain and due to the timing of the

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release after the attacks of September

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11th and amid the war on terror that

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followed these were received as

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political quandaries as well see their

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laws their code it's a bad joke

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dropped at the first sign of trouble

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even though Nolan claimed to have no

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political intentions the dark night

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contains multiple allusions to 9/11 in

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its imagery and Joker is even referred

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to repeatedly as a terrorist

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should we give in to this terrorists

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demands played by Heath Ledger with the

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Fuhrer and unpredictable intensity

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Nolan's Joker is not the capering Clown

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Prince of Crime of the campy 60s Batman

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TV series featuring Cesar Romero or Tim

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Burton's 1989 film starring Jack

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Nicholson

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unlike the master thieves that came

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before him this Joker doesn't even want

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money

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everything burns the Joker is out to

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show Gotham that society is a flimsy

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construct that people only follow the

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rules as long as it's in their

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self-interest when the chips are down

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these these civilized people they'll eat

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each other like a terrorist Joker says

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his goals are to introduce a little

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energy upset the established order and

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everything becomes the Joker is

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generally portrayed as insane which

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would seem to make him unfit to express

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a coherent political ideology but the

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Dark Knight's Joker is though still a

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psychopath chillingly logical articulate

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and strategic the Joker manipulates

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Batman into making his own ethical

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compromises in order to capture the

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Joker Batman deploys a citywide

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surveillance system that requires

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hacking into everyone's phones spying on

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30 million people listen part of my job

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description and in the end Batman takes

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on the mantle of villain at least

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partially out of guilt for what he's

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done these were issues that America was

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grappling with in the wake of 9/11 when

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the nation much like 'litham found

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itself confronted by a new and

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unconventional evil one that couldn't be

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bargained with that saw only our

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destruction and the government responded

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with its own extreme measures we've

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turned every cell phone in Gotham into a

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microphone some even went so far as to

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declare the Dark Knight a conservative

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film an endorsement of the controversial

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actions undertaken by president george w

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bush while he waged his war on terror

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Andrew Klavan wrote for The Wall Street

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Journal like W Batman is vilified and

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despised for confronting terrorists in

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the only terms they understand even if

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everyone hates him for it that's a

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sacrifice

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he's making he's not being a hero he

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being something more of course the fact

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that some saw Bush's Batman didn't stop

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others from recasting him as the Joker

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as cartoonist drew Friedman did for

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Vanity Fair in 2008 it all depended on

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who you saw as the true agent of chaos

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and in the decade that followed the Dark

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Knight this would only become more

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complicated Dark Knight screenwriters

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Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan

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deliberately didn't give Joker a

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definitive backstory because the

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director said we didn't want to humanize

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him no like a disguise Heath Ledger's

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death months before the Dark Knight's

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release conferred on his Joker an aura

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of tragedy that only made him a more

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darkly compelling mythic figure and

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without Ledger around to comment on the

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character or to perform the usual

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sanitized niceties of TV or magazine

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interviews the Joker's sinister mystique

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remained firmly intact that unknowable

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legendary nature also made the Joker and

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especially elastic symbol 1 easily

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applied to anyone that could be seen as

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a possible threat Vanity Fair's George W

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Bush cartoon was followed just six

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months later by an image of newly

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elected President Barack Obama and Joker

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make up an image that a University of

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Illinois at Chicago students named

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Theotis al Khatib created he says

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largely out of boredom but the Obama

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Joker took on a life of its own after an

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unknown person out of the caption

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socialism then began posting it

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throughout Los Angeles and it was soon

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seized on by the right-wing Tea Party

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movement who used the image at

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demonstrations be crying what they saw

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as the chaos that Obama's policies would

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introduce then came the most potent

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choker symbol of our times people have

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been drawing parallels between Joker and

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Trump since well before he became

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president in the weeks before Trump took

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office actor Mark Hamill who voiced the

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Joker in the 1990s Batman the Animated

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Series debuted a character he dubbed the

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Trumpster where he read Trump's tweets

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aloud in his Joker voice

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including to my many enemies and those

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who have fought me and lost so what to

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do shortly thereafter The Daily Show

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aired footage from a trump interview

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with Joker makeup superimposed over his

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face the world is a mess the world is as

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angry as it gets

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what do you think this is gonna cause a

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little more anger the world is an angry

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place after Joker's release Washington

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Post columnist max boot even went so far

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as to declare we have a joker on the big

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screen and a joker in the White House

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although as we've seen the Joker is a

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frequent comparison for any politician

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that someone doesn't like there's a

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specific parallel between Joker's alien

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nation and the one that Trump regularly

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appeals to they think that we'll just

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sit there and take it like good little

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boys that we will wolf go wild ditto the

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often outlandish statements and mocking

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rhetoric that both used to stoke

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resentment and ultimately to spark a

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populist uprising the movement the Trump

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Joker parallel spoke directly to a

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growing subset of people who welcomed

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being compared to the Joker self-styled

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internet provocateurs who saw in the

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character a useful spokesman for their

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own anger and frustrations the Joker

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became an enduring meme used by

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anonymous trolls to express their

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distaste for various social justice

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issues to lash out at society or to just

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mock anyone who came off as overly

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sensitive or politically correct hi so

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various some Joker's hatred of the

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establishment his conviction that the

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world is filled with hypocrites and

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especially his belief that only he can

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see the truth all of these proved

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irresistible to people who felt

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increasingly powerless you think men

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like thomas wayne ever think what it's

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like to be someone like me with the

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debut of todd phillips joker that

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fanbase finally got a joker movie that

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seemingly dared to validate those

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feelings to show the world as

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objectively evil and the Joker as a

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logical response long the Joker's always

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been an outsider wreaking havoc against

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the status quo in the comics and the

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Batman TV series he causes mayhem simply

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because he enjoys it

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my favorite kind of joke one which ends

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with in Tim Burton's film it's born out

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of petulance and wounded vanity did

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somebody tell me what kind of a world we

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live in where a man dressed up as a bat

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it's all of my press in Dark Knight it's

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his

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stood nihilistic philosophy the only

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sensible way to live in this world is

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without rules and while we don't get

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much insight into Jared Leto's heavily

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tattooed gangster Joker from 2016

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Suicide Squad

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what we do see comes off like an

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affectation edginess mixed with a doing

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it for the Instagram brand of showing

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off are you sweet-talking me but in

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Phillips's film we are at last asked to

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fully understand even sympathize with

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Joker in stark contrast to Nolan's film

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Joker does humanize him with a backstory

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buddy

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tell us what's funny

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and unlike Jack Nicholson's petty thug

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Arthur Fleck is presented as a meek

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victim of circumstance the kind of guy

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who even after he's brutally attacked by

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a group of teens offers them empathy in

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return I heard about the beatdown you

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took the savages it was just a bunch of

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kids alone when Arthur is pushed into

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committing violence it's purely out of

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self-defense

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whatever good may have once been inside

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Arthur Fleck is corroded by the

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relentless oppression of being treated

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like he doesn't matter like he's not

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there they don't give a [ __ ] about

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people like you Arthur the film makes

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Arthur's transformation into the Joker

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the inevitable response of a man who's

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pushed past his breaking point made evil

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by an evil system seen in the wildly

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divided response to the film how you

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interpret the definition of that system

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and who you see as the perpetrators of

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Arthur's oppression is largely based on

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your own personal politics some regard

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Joker as a clear indictment of

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neoliberal capitalism

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according to documentarian Michael Moore

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it's a film about the America which

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feels no need to help the outcasts the

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destitute the America where the filthy

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rich just get richer and filthier as

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Arthur's violence sparks a populist

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uprising against Gotham's elite

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represented by the billionaire Thomas

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Wayne Wayne himself makes the war

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between the haves and have-nots explicit

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and until those kind of people change

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for the better

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those of us who have made something of

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our lives will always look at those who

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haven't it's nothing the clowns

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according to this reading Joker's army

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are left-wing protesters targeting the

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fascist 1% Washington Post columnist

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Sonny bunch wrote that Joker can thus be

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seen as the forefather of anti feh but

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to others Arthur's murder of three men

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who were harassing him with its echoes

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of 80s subway vigilante Bernard Goetz

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the man who shot and wounded

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or teenagers in a subway car after they

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allegedly demanded money turned himself

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in and said he is the vigilante invites

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audiences to view him as an antihero

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provoked into violent retribution by a

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violent world

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Joker Foster is this notion through its

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deliberate homages to the Martin

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Scorsese films the King of Comedy and

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taxi driver these movies similarly

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concerned lonely disaffected men living

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in grimy dangerous New York whose

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criminal acts are portrayed as both the

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embodiment of and reaction to their

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harsh environments Joker even casts both

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films star Robert De Niro in a

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not-so-subtle effort to evoke their dark

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power before it was even released some

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branded Joker in the words of film

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critic David Ehrlich a toxic rallying

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cry for self-pitying in cells referring

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to the group of internet dwelling

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misogynists who call themselves

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involuntary celibates although Arthur

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doesn't overtly express any of those

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misogynistic views in the film his

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romantic fixation on his neighbor Sophie

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played by za C beats has been read as a

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projection of a similar attitude

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hey are you following me today that

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reputation only intensified once actual

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in cells began suggesting on web forums

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that Joker might inspire some of their

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members to commit another mass shooting

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prompting the US Army to issue a warning

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of a possible attack such discussion was

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especially charged in the wake of the

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2012 incident in Aurora Colorado when a

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man opened fire on a crowded theater

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during a screening of The Dark Knight

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Rises

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while fear is that this new Joker movie

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would incite violence

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fortunately never came to fruition they

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helped to cement Joker's reputation as a

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potentially dangerous movie one that

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speaks to the growing numbers of men who

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feel disenfranchised and forgotten CNN's

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Jeff yang even suggested that Joker

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might be a political parable for our age

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an insidious validation of the white

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male resentment that helped bring

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President Donald Trump to power all of

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this rancor and divisive nozomi

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intensified after Phillips reacted to

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criticisms by deriding the whoa culture

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of the far left that had preemptively

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condemned his

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there have been a lot of think pieces

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written by people who proudly state they

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haven't even seen the movie and they

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don't need to I would just argue that

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you might want to watch the movie

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both he and star Joaquin Phoenix would

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have several tense confrontations with

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the press over whether the film was

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deliberately stoking tensions or if it

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might encourage them to boil over into

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real-world violence meanwhile Warner

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Brothers responded to the growing

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criticisms by issuing the statement it

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is not the intention of the film the

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filmmakers or the studio to hold this

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character up as a hero much of the

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political controversy surrounding the

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Joker is really about a question that

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dates back to his earliest days when he

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first ran afoul of the comics code

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Authority in the 1950s does enjoying the

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Joker create a desire to emulate him and

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if the characters seemingly unmoored

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from any known ideology whose just plain

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crazy can be adopted as such a versatile

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political symbol what is it exactly that

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people are responding to in the Joker's

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every incarnation some things always

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remain the same the makeup and clown

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suit his weirdly symbiotic connection to

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Batman and more than anything

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his bottomless need for attention deep

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down it always has to be about him on a

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very basic level that demand to be seen

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to bring everyone into his world to not

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be ignored is inherently political it's

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about the need for recognition for my

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whole life I didn't know if I even

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really existed but I do people are

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starting to notice this along with

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Joker's general disdain for the ruling

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class is what makes him such an

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attractive tool for political messaging

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take away the killing the sadism and the

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insanity and the Joker stands in for

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anyone who feels like the other anyone

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who poses some sort of challenge to the

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status quo this can be expressed as both

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a negative and a positive the Joker can

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be a destructive clown who threatens

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disorder in chaos his makeup slathered

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across politicians as disparate as

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george w bush Barack Obama and Boris

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Johnson or he can be the

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face of liberation for the

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disenfranchised turning up on masks worn

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by anti-government protesters in Hong

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Kong Chile and Lebanon in the end Joker

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is kind of a walking Rorschach test

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he is the reflection of your own

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alienation whatever form that takes

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everybody is awful these days it's

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enough to make anyone crazy Joker can be

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the soul sucking emptiness of reagan-era

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agreed it's time for who do you trust or

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the guilt paranoia and numbing

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detachment of post 9/11 America if

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tomorrow I tell the press that like a

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gangbanger will get shot nobody panics

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because it's all part of the plan or he

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is the simmering discontent of our

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polarized age where it seems like

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everyone is always at each other's

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throats have you seen what it's like out

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there Mireille everybody just yells and

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screams at each other

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nobody's civil anymore nobody thinks

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what it's like to be the other guy

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this iteration of the Joker's need for

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attention reads as a cautionary tale

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about what happens when many in society

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feel neglected left behind unseen and

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unheard but the ultimate meaning and the

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message Joker conveys is often as mixed

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up as he is what's with the face I mean

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are you part of the process it's

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deliberately left open to interpretation

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allowing anyone who feels marginalized

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to identify with and occasionally draw

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power from him anyone from a protester

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to a pissed-off teenager to the

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President of the United States Joker is

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politics in its most elemental emotional

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and theatrical sense reducing it to

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rebellion

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to sound and fury and yes to chaos in

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other words it turns politics into one

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big joke comedy is subjective Murray and

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then what they say

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Etiquetas Relacionadas
JokerPolitical SymbolismSocietal ImpactCinema AnalysisPop CultureControversyBatmanChaosProtestMental Health
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