It's a mistake to assume the mainstream media is dumb. Or that they're unaware what they're doing. Raising the question, what are they doing? A look at the Wall Street Journal's reporting for clues
My problem with today's "media" --whatever that is--began long before Trump was in view. The shift from reporting and analyzing to creating the news from a personal point of view began early in this century. It isn't a new thing.
I can take in your position of talking about specific people, by name--and your essay is meaningful for that perspective. I am less interested in writings and responses that paint with very broad brushes, talking about "they", "them", and "people". For me, the vitriolic atmosphere in our country isn't just media, it's cohorts that grind their axes to an extremely sharp edge and then swing them wildly and widely, believing theirs is the only axe that matters. Thus, echo chambers are built (I know--mixed metaphors), and we then bloviate within, knowing we'll have a ton of support. "Trump sucks." "AI is evil." "I'm right."
Hi Maryan. It all points to a decline in critical thinking and elevation in personal feelings being prime motivators. You’re right that we see this reflected in different stressors. Trump is a recent big one, but not the only one.
I'm marveling your endless patience, James. Reading the trash pouring out of the WSJ and other severely biased mainstream media outlets, finding the "best" samples of it showing how much trash is out there, trying to educate people who obediently swallow this trash without thinking, and staying calm and polite while doing that... Who else can possibly endure this task? I certainly can't as patience is not one of my virtues (unfortunately), but I admire your style of these kinds of arguments.
Besides that, I dare to add to your arguments that the mainstream media generates this trash full of hatred, twisted wording, and straight-out lies not because it is dumb, but quite the opposite. Since the people who are pulling the strings of the mainstream media have nothing good to offer, they have to rely on lies, hatred and division. They know that if the truth comes out and enough people will know it, it will be the end of their dirty games. In other words, truth is the existential threat for the mainstream media, and the puppet masters behind it. And since they are not dumb, they use all their evil wits to fool those who are.
RVB, my patience is certainly fostered by encouraging comments such as yours. The rational part of me knows that insults gain one no adherents, but the emotional part is always ready for a good fight!
As to your second assertion (what we see is deliberate and deliberately evil), the evidence is piling up in support of the idea. I say you can divine the function of a system by looking at its outputs, and not what the creators say was the purpose. The outputs of this system speak volumes, don't they?
You got that right, RVB. Right up to the point where they're lined up to the guillotine, after which they are not just blind and deaf, but also lose their opportunity to speak out.
Mainstream media seems to like when issues are polled around the 49/51 ratio. That's when everyone's opinion gets aroused. When it is at 35/65, Neither the Numerator or the Denominator guys care about what anyone thinks. "Ain't it awful what they're doing? "
In my own little world, there are some things to be learned. One of them is that I don't like following anyone over 70. ( I am older) Another thing is that I like to see who they hang around with and who they mentor or have been mentored by. A third thing is to never directly criticize the person at hand....but try to go for something more important, like emphasizing Leadership abilities and accomplishments. Finallly, work on the Followers. They need to know how to be good followers when they run into that rare, good Leader. Mainstream needs to brand "Truth" and show how it is found and set the example for whatever fish are swimming in the mainstream.
These are good observations, Bob, thank you. The 80-20 issues also arouse passionate interest, it seems to me. In fact, because anyone can broadcast their opinion with ease, it ends up being crazed advocates on just about any issue who dominate the discussion. The people who feel compelled to respond with contrary views are also outliers. This gives the possibly false sense that opinions on most issues are evenly split
Thanks, James....Opinion is fine if everyone is searching for the Truth. Somehow that gets lost in the 'noise' of social media and the poor examples set by those in Leadership positions. I think there is a huge opportunity for Legitimate Media with Truth, Integrity and Empathy as core values of its Brand. We collectively need that Brand more than ever. Damn Idealist Streak is my Blind Side every time! Peace!
More content creators are filling the market demand for such hatred, RC. I wonder if they’re just giving readers what they want or creating the demand by the steady stream of propaganda. Both, I guess. Read so many WSJ articles over the years. I know I need to just break free.
A thing many of your readers don’t say but feel: your genius.
Okay, that made me laugh 😂!
My problem with today's "media" --whatever that is--began long before Trump was in view. The shift from reporting and analyzing to creating the news from a personal point of view began early in this century. It isn't a new thing.
I can take in your position of talking about specific people, by name--and your essay is meaningful for that perspective. I am less interested in writings and responses that paint with very broad brushes, talking about "they", "them", and "people". For me, the vitriolic atmosphere in our country isn't just media, it's cohorts that grind their axes to an extremely sharp edge and then swing them wildly and widely, believing theirs is the only axe that matters. Thus, echo chambers are built (I know--mixed metaphors), and we then bloviate within, knowing we'll have a ton of support. "Trump sucks." "AI is evil." "I'm right."
Hi Maryan. It all points to a decline in critical thinking and elevation in personal feelings being prime motivators. You’re right that we see this reflected in different stressors. Trump is a recent big one, but not the only one.
I'm marveling your endless patience, James. Reading the trash pouring out of the WSJ and other severely biased mainstream media outlets, finding the "best" samples of it showing how much trash is out there, trying to educate people who obediently swallow this trash without thinking, and staying calm and polite while doing that... Who else can possibly endure this task? I certainly can't as patience is not one of my virtues (unfortunately), but I admire your style of these kinds of arguments.
Besides that, I dare to add to your arguments that the mainstream media generates this trash full of hatred, twisted wording, and straight-out lies not because it is dumb, but quite the opposite. Since the people who are pulling the strings of the mainstream media have nothing good to offer, they have to rely on lies, hatred and division. They know that if the truth comes out and enough people will know it, it will be the end of their dirty games. In other words, truth is the existential threat for the mainstream media, and the puppet masters behind it. And since they are not dumb, they use all their evil wits to fool those who are.
RVB, my patience is certainly fostered by encouraging comments such as yours. The rational part of me knows that insults gain one no adherents, but the emotional part is always ready for a good fight!
As to your second assertion (what we see is deliberate and deliberately evil), the evidence is piling up in support of the idea. I say you can divine the function of a system by looking at its outputs, and not what the creators say was the purpose. The outputs of this system speak volumes, don't they?
I can't agree more, James. The outputs certainly speak volumes, but the willfully blind and deaf remain willfully blind and deaf...
You got that right, RVB. Right up to the point where they're lined up to the guillotine, after which they are not just blind and deaf, but also lose their opportunity to speak out.
Mainstream media seems to like when issues are polled around the 49/51 ratio. That's when everyone's opinion gets aroused. When it is at 35/65, Neither the Numerator or the Denominator guys care about what anyone thinks. "Ain't it awful what they're doing? "
In my own little world, there are some things to be learned. One of them is that I don't like following anyone over 70. ( I am older) Another thing is that I like to see who they hang around with and who they mentor or have been mentored by. A third thing is to never directly criticize the person at hand....but try to go for something more important, like emphasizing Leadership abilities and accomplishments. Finallly, work on the Followers. They need to know how to be good followers when they run into that rare, good Leader. Mainstream needs to brand "Truth" and show how it is found and set the example for whatever fish are swimming in the mainstream.
These are good observations, Bob, thank you. The 80-20 issues also arouse passionate interest, it seems to me. In fact, because anyone can broadcast their opinion with ease, it ends up being crazed advocates on just about any issue who dominate the discussion. The people who feel compelled to respond with contrary views are also outliers. This gives the possibly false sense that opinions on most issues are evenly split
Thanks, James....Opinion is fine if everyone is searching for the Truth. Somehow that gets lost in the 'noise' of social media and the poor examples set by those in Leadership positions. I think there is a huge opportunity for Legitimate Media with Truth, Integrity and Empathy as core values of its Brand. We collectively need that Brand more than ever. Damn Idealist Streak is my Blind Side every time! Peace!
It's all clear, and has been for years, "what they are doing."
Hate Trump!
Regardless of facts, common sense, law, and precedence, as long as your words bite, hate, and slander, it's all good.
In my lifetime, I can't recall ever so many in the media aiming so high and hitting so low. Despicable display daily.
Except for independent journalism, might we mostly be better off without any?
Maybe it's time for the WSJ to be downsized like the WAPO was recently?
Good conversation, James. I can tell you're holding back, though. Haha!
More content creators are filling the market demand for such hatred, RC. I wonder if they’re just giving readers what they want or creating the demand by the steady stream of propaganda. Both, I guess. Read so many WSJ articles over the years. I know I need to just break free.
James, who knew that an industry would be created just from Trump hate. Sad!
🙏🙏