What is qualitatively different is that we now have unfiltered access to their psyche, no? Just imagine if we'd been able to read Louis XIV or George III's or Henry Ford's ramblings live from the loo?

yes! But also they get unfiltered access to ours, which I think might be the important factor in their madness now not looking 'special'

Closest we get to it in earlier eras is Mein Kampf