@WashedOutGundamPilot @eee It has to be some sort of brain rot or dopamine haze.

Example
My dad is addicted to TV.
Small list
Anything Dick Wolf makes
NBC and local news
Maine Cabin Masters
True Crime Drama
Paranormal shows

He can be reasoned with as long as he has not been near a TV within 40 minutes or so.
He'll complain about the trannies in stuff and AIDS meds commercials, but his opinion of all of that flips as soon as Jerry Orbach or Lester Holt start talking.

There is no way that is natural, and it's in a lot of boomers in some shape or form.