In my opinion the best reason people are interested in this situation is Scott Alexander is considered to be NOT someone who will unquestioningly ride an empty

In my opinion the best reason people are interested in this situation is Scott Alexander is considered to be NOT someone who will unquestioningly ride an empty wave of reactionary outrage if it's pointed in an advantageous direction: People are hoping rational thought can be used to change norms when something bad happens. That's why this is interesting and different than a thousand other sad situations involving people who likely don't have the tools to solve it in that way.