Part 6/11:
Many observers see these protests as a failure—embarrassing even—given the minimal tangible impact beyond a fleeting disruption of traffic. The spectacle of older men dressed absurdly or staged tantrums reduces the protests to either a reflection of a population immersed in fantasy or, perhaps more troubling, an indication that many participants may have been paid actors rather than genuine protesters.
This raises concerns about the increasingly artificial landscape of political activism, which appears to be less about grassroots outrage and more about orchestrated displays meant to sway public opinion or create distraction.