Social manipulation has been with us for a very long time. By fermenting binary discussions about popular but essentially irrelevant topics, in this case Star Wars, attention is attracted away from more basic and important questions. It's part of a wider strategy of distraction, illusion and simulacra.
Binary arguments abound; left or right, right or wrong, good or bad, conventional or alternative, for or against, male or female, belief or disbelief, rich or poor, in or out. Nested within each, more binaries; this party or that party, this ruler or that ruler, democracy or fascism, gay or straight, black or white, GB or EUGB. And, again, nested binaries in each. All with one purpose - to maintain the status quo by limiting discourse through all aspects of society.
But it's not 100% effective, of course, because most of us know that many of the binaries presented to us are invalid or make no sense. The binary argument is so pervasive, however, that we are all effected by it in some way. And when we overcome a binary argument, as most here have over this Star Wars question, we feel - rightly - that we have won a small intellectual victory. I think most people here are good at winning these victories, are good at seeing through a lot of binary arguments.
One only has to look at how binary arguments are foisted wholesale on the public by politicians and the msm to understand how human tribalism is being manipulated and why so many people actually believe in the validity of us and them, me and you, mine or yours, love or hate.
I think, or rather I believe, that more and more people are beginning to see through the binary argument, whether it be about Brexit or Star Wars, and thinking for themselves rather than having to choose between two or three presented options. I find this a very hopeful sign.
Star Wars may help to shape a better future for us all. Live long and... Oh shit, my preferences are showing.
