The non special theory of our times, and media engineering

What if we don’t live in meaningful times, and what if the truly notable facts of the 2016 election are

• A crowded Republican field – allowing the only candidate Trump an opening against more establishment types
• A phenomenally unpopular Hillary Clinton

Coupled with

• Advances in media engineering (like “financial engineering” creating new mortgage products, subprime and otherwise) allowing the media to profitably saturate America with “junk” (not necessarily fake”) news.
• Increases in generalized anxiety due to Facebook, lack of physical activity and sleep deprivation

Match those two things together and we feel like we’re in some deep important times, even if in terms of importance it’s like we’re stuck in the 50s with out the cold war.