I’d argue that the right built, and continues to build, a parallel media ecosystem BECAUSE of the disinformation and propaganda pushed by the legacy media. Of course, that doesn’t mean they (the right) are free from those very same type of sins themselves, but…here we are. I certainly agree with your second sentence.
I’d argue the right and the left used to hold the media in similar regard, until conservative influencers starting in the late 1970s began pushing an alternate view of reality that focused on things like wealth somehow “trickling down” from the rich to the poor, abortion being the equivalent of murder, and urban areas being more dangerous than rural areas. The legacy media did not change. It continued to report reality. But because conservatives began to believe in the alternate, false reality, they also began to believe the legacy media was biased and not trustworthy. So right wing media outlets emerged to exploit the alternate reality conservatives had embraced. And we’re now at Stage 10 of that evolution.
Actually started in the 50s,fwiw.
Fair enough. The 1970s were kind of like Voldemort in the Goblet of Fire, but you’re right he existed in less obvious forms well before that.
newrepublic.com
Spot on. And all of these will willingly step into an authoritarian regime and be its “State-run media”. Some of these publication lost reporters and editors already because they don’t like the way their now former bosses are moving… they resigned or quit. But the vacuum will be filled by lackey “journalists”.
It's not always bad but when something like Robert Byrd's Klan membership in the 40s which he described as the biggest mistake in his life is used to justify racism by Republicans in the current generation, it becomes a non sequitur. That's especially true in cases where the comparison is broadly out of balance.
That’s certainly one slant.
Well, they are living in an alternate reality. About that many value superstition over science and that really has no place in modern society. That's especially true when they try to force their morals, as suspect as they are, on others. They really don't have a special place in the universe nor do they have some guy in the sky to forgive them for being assholes to other people, no matter what they might believe.
agreed on all accounts although i'm gonna stick with mind-boggling, too.....
Finesse, you aren’t my favorite poaster ever but I respect you, your voice, and your contributions to these boards over the years. I will also say that I recognize that there are some people out there that are exactly as you describe. For me, however, there are way too many “theys” in your poast, too many generalizations, to make this worth a response. I could throw out some tired ole stuff about liberal-types, but where does that get us? Maybe someone else will get into it with you on the subject. Too many leaves and not enough time today
Hope you have a nice Saturday and that your family is doing well. Go Heels.
Agree. And if you follow me at all on these boards, you've noticed I've been literally calling all of humanity rather dim bulbs - especially us Americans. We are some dumb-ass m'f'ers.
I know it's been said multiple times, but Twitter has devolved into a cesspool. I keep it for one reason, fantasy football. I follow a ton of beat reporters and injury specialists for that reason and that reason alone. I've lost more than a thousand followers due to MAGA.
And I'll add that most Germans believed they were truly in a bad place - as you say - and wanted, needed to believe their strongman could pull them out. By contrast here in the U.S. only half the populace believes the country is currently in dire straights (much different than Germany of 1933). Also, the social media and A.I. of today (although it can exacerbate things going in the wrong direction) can be a plus to combat the nefarious dealings of a modern day strongman in the U.S. The only thing that could "save" a strong man here would be if he were able to get ALL of the online platforms to bow down to him - like in China. But I would need somebody to prove to me that could happen here, and now, in the U.S.. There are too many online "cats let out of the bag" for some entity to rein them all in at this point.
It’s unlikely. Given your self-description and the inherent condescension therein, it is doubtful any of the “party-controlled zombies” here could offer any explanation that would pierce your superiority complex created by your belief you are above it all.
The macroeconomy is doing fairly well, but a lot of rural communities aren't doing very well. A lot of working class folks aren't doing very well. And a lot of working class folks and folks in rural communities have essentially hit the same place that Germans in the 1930s hit.
