It does feel like this. I remember this moment clicking for me with my dads family who was typically more rational. "did you hear California is going to outlaw bacon now"; everyone laughs.

I mention that sounds kind of click baity? look it up. California wants to impose more stringent minimum space standards for amimals bred to slaughter (prop 12). Seems maybe good, or at least worthy of a real discussion?

But everyone had moved on by then, ironically to how much they care about animal rights (spending significant time volunteering in shelters and such).

Its just too easy to dumb people down with memes.