Palin was a political Hail Mary a long bomb in the closing minutes of a game that John McCain and Co. were certain to lose. They didn't care if she had the policy or political or emotional capacity to serve as vice president let alone president. They were willing to drive the country off a cliff if that's what it took to win.
The alternative scene for a couple years now has been taken seriously and that's a cool thing. I don't think it's exploded or anything but I think it's pretty cool that it still exists it's still affecting people.