Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3683: Milo Yiannopoulos believes trolling is his way of "Doing God's work" - Body Language & Emotional Intelligence (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Milo Yiannopoulos was permanently banned from Twitter in July of 2016 for his trolling of Leslie Jones (one of the actors from the then recently released Ghostbusters film reboot). Among other tweets, Yiannopoulos had said, "Ghostbusters is doing so badly they've deployed [Leslie Jones] to play the victim on Twitter". He then described her reply to him as, "Barely Literate" as well as calling her a "Black Dude".

From a nonverbal communication perspective, there are a good number of tells in the recently posted interview (above). One of these is analyzed here. Beginning at 1:09, Yiannopoulos says, "I like to think of myself as a virtuous troll, you know - I'm doing God's work."

During the second half of his answer, Yiannopoulos displays a nonverbal expression cluster which is a colossal red flag. The image below is a screen-grab captured at 1:12 - just at the end of the word, "... work ...".

Note Yiannopoulos' elevated central forehead - which is more pronounced on his right. Along with this central forehead contraction he's also displaying an elevated right eyebrow and a partial mouth smile. Moreover his head and neck are flexed forward and tilted to his right. This cluster is strongly indicative of insincerity - AND it strongly contradicts his verbal message.

Whenever a partial mouth smile is seen in conjunction with elevated forehead contraction - particularly a central forehead contraction (Elevated CFC), one thought emotion which should always come to mind is disbelief. Moreover, his incredulous emotional tone is further amplified by his elevated (right) eyebrow.

Now look at his left hand - it's placed over his RIGHT chest. The heart is of course on the left. Even if a person unaware where their anatomic heart is - when they touch the opposite side of their chest in an effort to express their metaphorical heart - it's a ruse. It's acted. It's faked. It's a lie.

Summary:

Milo Yiannopoulos is insincere when he says, "I like to think of myself as a virtuous troll, you know - I'm doing God's work." Of course a person may really believe they are doing going God's work - but Yiannopoulos is lying.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3682: Donald Trump Surrogate Pastor Mark Burns Caught in Deception

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3678: Donald Trump's Trip to Mexico

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3668: Donald Trump, Nigel Farage and The Brexit

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3659: Ryan Lochte's "Today Show" Interview regarding Alleged Rio Robbery

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2443: Kristen Wiig's Disgust & Fear Face - Graham Norton, Chris O'Dowd and Fly Eating

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3397: Close Encounter - Kate McKinnon, Cecily Strong, Ryan Gosling - SNL - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2711: John Kerry and Sergei Lavrov - Tell Me How You Really Feel

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2313: Elisa Lam Video in Elevator at Cecil Hotel - What Her Body Language Tells Us ....   



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Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3132: Ashley Judd responds to Twitter Troll Harassment - "I'm pressing charges" - Body Language (VIDEO, PHOTOS)

Recently Ashley Judd was harassed via some very malicious twitter trolls. The talented actress took some time to speak about this incident and her intention to press charges during an MSNBC interview with Thomas Roberts earlier this week (Monday 16 March).

Curt Schilling recently made similar news in defense of his daughter who is a minor.

From a nonverbal communication perspective, Ms. Judd can be seen here beginning a "Double Index Finger (Forefinger) Point". Note this begins with her pointing in the upward direct as she says, "... and by the way, I'm pressing charges ...."

For an instant, Thomas Roberts serves as a surrogate for the perpetrators of the harassment - as Ms. Judd points in his direction (her left hand obscured by the screen labeling).

The dynamics of this body language illustrator are best appreciated via the dynamics of the video.

A fraction of a second later the actress ends her gesture pointed upwards - the same orientation in which this nonverbal signal was initiated.

(What is her facial express projecting in this split second?)






Index finger (forefinger) pointing is universally and highly offensive across all cultures. In such cases as this - the interviewer (and secondarily the TV audience) knows that they are a momentary stand-in for the accused. And yet, when despite all parties know this - to be pointed at (or to watch another being pointed at) still feels very demeaning. Most attorneys would be surprised to learn that when in trial - such pointing whether initiated subconsciously or as a deliberate tactic - very often backfires (Their ego tell tells them they are establishing authority, but in the jury's mind - this is a strong rapport destroyer).

The double index finger point is an example of a "Hyper-Alpha" nonverbal which, in the vast majority of scenarios is to be highly avoided. Ashley's occasion is perhaps one exception. Most everyone feels strong disgust for such trolling and thus have a good amount of empathy for Ashley.

Another important distinction here is that those who double point - or even point with a single finger - are showing us a sign that their temper is thinning. Ashley is NOT acting in this moment. 

By both beginning and ending pointing upwards - as Ms. Judd displays here - the intensity of the pointing is somewhat softened - and yet it is still quite caustic. So always remember - when in doubt, never, ever point.

See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3131: Kim Jong-un, his Uncle Jang Song-thaek and a Warning sign of Potential Violence - Body Language

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2160:  Index Finger (Forefinger) Pointing in Politics - The Third (and Final) 2012 Presidential Debates - Body Language of Being an Alpha Male without Offending

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 2150:  Body Language Advice for  President Obama and Governor Romney in Tonight's Debate

Negotiation Nonverbal Communication Secret No. 1181: Helle Thorning-Schmidt & her False Praying Gesture

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 1918:  Vladimir Putin - Pointing with Pen Surrogates  Sharp vs. Blunt

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3122: Lebanese TV Host Rima Karaki Cuts Short London-Based Islamist's (Hani Al-Seba'i) Interview following Insolent Remarks

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