This is a draft of my lit review for my Tiger King research project. Stay tuned for the lit review in final product of my project.
Tiger King Context
Tiger King: Murder, Mayhem and Madness says it all in the name. This true-crime Netflix docuseries takes us through the drama-filled, plot-twisting feuds of big cat zoo owners. Most of the media commentating about the series is about Joe Exotic. He is a man of many things: a musician, political candidate, mullet head, polygamist, attention lovin’, Carole Baskin hatin’, and now incarcerated big cat zookeeper. Joe Exotic has become a somewhat of a cultural icon. People are obsessed, inspired and raged to #FreeJoeExotic.
While Joe Exotic has become the face most media, it is not to go without the discussion of Carole Baskin, his arch nemesis. Carole Baskin is not only Joe Exotic’s rival but a huge player in the big cat industry. She runs her own zoo and is often in association with PETA. To put it simple, they both feud about each other’s means of operation and it gets nasty. Joe Exotic’s living work shifted from loving and caring for the big cats to taking down Carole Baskin. Not to mention, there is also assumptions that Carole murdered her missing, late husband. Joe Exotic uses this allegation to his defense while trying to take her down.
Structure of Social Media
The structure of social media allows us the tools to connect across geographical distances, bond over shared memories and communicate ideas. However, it is a platform that can unite us just as much as it can bring us apart. Our feeds are cultivated with the content that we give our attention to (Williams, 2019). Naturally, we gravitate towards the things we believe in. So, while the algorithms are reinforcing what we like to see, an overarching narrative takes over the internet.
There is not one definite reason why media becomes so spreadable or viral. Jenkins argues that the gesture of sharing content is an act of interpersonal relationship. Whether that is friendship-based or interest-based is subjective. The gesture of staring a piece of content is not always intentional. Jenkins echoes Douglas Rushcoff’s theory of media spreading like a virus (2013, p. 17). They both argue that when people share content, media is “spreading without the user’s conscious consent, people are duped into passing a hidden agenda while circulating content” (Jenkins, p. 17). So rather than considering what the content means as a representation of their identity, or what agenda they are encouraging, they become a passive audience (Jenkins, p. 18). This also means that when people share viral content, they are more likely to share with the motives of gaining a social status (Jenkins, p. 13). People want to feel including in the mass narrative and they are willing to do that despite the message they are communicating as a result of their participation.
Cult Behavior
My initial interests were to find out why people are obsessing over Tiger King and going to the extremes to be a part of this bizarre trend. As I have looked further into this topic, I came across the YouTube video Joe Exotic: The Cult of Tiger King – Wisecrack Edition (2020). His research covers the evidence for how Joe Exotic, Doc Antle and Carole Baskin are essentially leaders of big cat cults. Referring to Psychiatrist and Harvard Professor Robert Jay Lifton’s paper: Cult Formation, explores the theoretical and historical development of “cults” (1993). He defines cults to have three common characteristics, those being: 1) A charismatic leader, 2) Coercive persuasion or thought reform, 3) Exploitation of group members (1993). If you have seen Tiger King or have been on social media in the last month, I’m sure the listed criteria triggered several cult-like instances within big cat operations of Tiger King.
However, the discussion is not whether Tiger King meets these cult criteria because that is obvious. I am particularly interested whether this cult behavior- as exhibited in the show- has appeared over social media, why and what does that mean in the greater scheme of things. The psychology of cults provides some explanation to why people are so attached to Tiger King.
Historical Context
While considering the way people are communicating on social media and the structure of social media, it is especially important to consider the historical context. The Coronavirus (COVID-19) is an infectious disease that has spread across globe resulting in a life-altering pandemic. As the world has had to adapt to COVID-19 prevention strategies, 2020 has become a time of fear, anxiety, and panic. According to the CDC, it is expected that people react to these stressful circumstances in unexpected ways (2020). Everyone’s life has change, suddenly and drastically in several ways. We can only assume that this has also affected how people are communicating and sharing media.
Intentions of the research
I am hypothesizing that the consumption of absolute chaos dilutes the current state of chaos people are existing in. The wild rampage of praising and raging about Tiger King on social media is at least a means of distractions and connection. Its crime filled-plot-twist nature offers excitement; something that these days seem to lack. However, there seems to be a deeper, underlying message. Considering the mental state of the world in the midst of a deadly pandemic, the structure of social media and the nature of viral spreadability, perhaps that makes people are susceptible to participating in cult-like behavior. If so, it would explain some of the loads of extreme Joe Exotic fandom.
By narrowing down our focus on one case of potential cult-like behavior. It allows us to make assumptions about how society reacts to the media they are interacting and processing in their everyday life. Whether it’s Tiger King or politics, people rage and praise all the time. This may not meet the exact criteria of a cult since we are talking about a virtual medium. Although, maybe this could be a new form of a cult.
DIGITAL CATHARSIS 