It looks a lot like normalization of deviance accomplished over a couple of generations. Political candidates use similar tactics in their campaigns nowadays w

It looks a lot like normalization of deviance accomplished over a couple of generations. Political candidates use similar tactics in their campaigns nowadays where they make unsupportable accusations against opponents knowing that many people will remember the accusation but will not take the time to determine whether it is true. Sling enough mud and some of it will stick. Lying is normalized and rewarded. Unethical behavior gets you farther than being a person who has principles and adheres to those principles while holding those around them to the same high standards. Society suffers and becomes more polarized when we don't call this out. I agree about the alien thing too.