The Media and how it shapes world views and election outcomes

[rosarugosa]

I thought this was an interesting read: https://newrepublic.com/post/188197/...-landscape-fox
On the one hand, it made me feel a little bit better about the motives of my fellow Americans, and it helps explain how someone could vote for Trump without being racist, misogynistic and homophobic. On the other hand, it made me feel despondent because I don't see a path forward for this problem to be solved. I would like to hear your thoughts.

[Tradd]

You know how people vote for Trump without being racist, etc.? “It’s the economy, stupid.” Said by James Carville during Clinton’s 1992 campaign.

Many people who are struggling don’t give a hoot about the left’s pet stuff.

[catherine]

The pen is mightier than the sword, and always has been. It doesn't matter what side of the aisle you're on. And that mighty pen can spoonfeed a whole lot of people whatever they want them to believe if they have the power to consolidate and disseminate. It's ironic that my right-wing friends complain about the "liberal left-wing media" and left complains about the right.

I believe there is a lot of truth behind the idea that the Right is using major media outlets as their own mouthpiece these days. Look at some of the big players that own it! And the right-wing media's ability to craft their story, and then put Trump, the charasmatic showman/provocateur, in there as the star... it's a match made in heaven.

That is not to discount the bona fide issues that the maority of people who voted for Trump have with the things that are important to many--as Tradd said, the economy. We lefties can say, but.... unemployment is way down! Inflastion has stabilized! The GDP has grown! The stock market is up! But I think we all know that a pound of meat that was $4/lb a few years ago is $6/lb today. We can all agree that if you were lucky enough to sell your house lately you made a fortune it, but many first-time homeowners who would have been able to buy it a few years ago are shut out today.

Other issues that mattered, like immigration, abortion, LGBTQ rights are going to be polarizing no matter what. Not sure what the media could have stirred up to change anyone's mind on those issues. So I think that part is giving the media too much power, although Fox et al have certainly fanned those flames.

So, I guess my bottom line is, the article is certainly a warning.

Just this week, an indie movie theatre in Waitsfield VT closed its doors. I was sad because my family and I had gone there in the mid-2000s where we saw an awesome documentary on the media, and how the numbers of independent outlets had dramatically shrunk because of conglomeration. And now it seems those media power brokers are collaborating with the political power brokers. Media literacy is something that should be taught in schools. It's more important now than ever.

Interesting article!

[iris lilies]

I think this article is good in offering a premise and supporting it.

Indeed it may be true that old lady “liberal mainstream media,” the bugaboo of conservatives, is actually in severe decline.

There are several silly micro-ideas expressed here, tho, but in the main, it might be ok and is something I could entertain as truth. Or truthiness.

[LDAHL]

I question the premise that these new media platforms are driving events by creating opinion in ways the author disapproves of. Who is the tail and who is the dog here? I think it more likely that these new outlets are growing by responding to a demand for an expanded viewpoint perspective.

It works both ways. When the WaPo declined to endorse for president, a quarter million readers cancelled their subscription. What does that say about the power relationship between consumer and producer?

[Rogar]

I heard a bit of an interview with Yuval Harari who wrote a favorite book of mine, 'Sapiens". He said, there are no bad people, only bad news. I could see some sense to it and just got his newest book, Nexus, which is supposed to be a history of information networks. I'll have to report back and may be enlightened.

[catherine]

Wow. I couldn't remember the name of that movie I saw about the media... but my son was over tonight and I asked him. He immediately said it was "Outfoxed"

Here's the whole thing on YouTube if anyone is interested.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P74oHhU5MDk

[pony mom]

I voted for Trump and I'm neither racist, mysogynistic nor homophobic. Simply, he was a man with a plan. She was just a bunch of words that made no sense. We the people did not choose her to run for President. She didn't do a great job in the #2 job--why would we choose her for the #1 position? I'd vote for any woman in a heartbeat (Tulsi Gabbard, for example) who shows intelligence and common sense. The media can only influence people so much; we're not so stupid that we have to be told who to vote for. We can make up our own minds, see how Harris flip-flopped on numerous issues, the mental decline of Biden, which was denied. We can also see how mainstream media twisted and edited Trump's words to mean something totally different than intended. The Democratic rallies, which started with so much joy, ended up being hateful. Instead of accusing, come up with a plan that makes sense, that has a chance of working to help the majority of Americans' biggest issues.

I've never been interested in politics in my almost 60 years of life. Never really cared much, since things never became much better or much worse with someone new in office. However, life hasn't been great lately. The news media on both sides can't argue with that. Why do the same thing for another four years if it hasn't worked the last four years?

Ok, I'm off my soapbox. I'm still talking to friends who voted the other way. I don't mention the election and make no comments if they do. The public has chosen their President, despite the news channels' influence.

[Alan]

[frugal-one]

I voted for Trump and I'm neither racist, mysogynistic nor homophobic. Simply, he was a man with a plan. She was just a bunch of words that made no sense. We the people did not choose her to run for President. She didn't do a great job in the #2 job--why would we choose her for the #1 position? I'd vote for any woman in a heartbeat (Tulsi Gabbard, for example) who shows intelligence and common sense. The media can only influence people so much; we're not so stupid that we have to be told who to vote for. We can make up our own minds, see how Harris flip-flopped on numerous issues, the mental decline of Biden, which was denied. We can also see how mainstream media twisted and edited Trump's words to mean something totally different than intended. The Democratic rallies, which started with so much joy, ended up being hateful. Instead of accusing, come up with a plan that makes sense, that has a chance of working to help the majority of Americans' biggest issues.

I've never been interested in politics in my almost 60 years of life. Never really cared much, since things never became much better or much worse with someone new in office. However, life hasn't been great lately. The news media on both sides can't argue with that. Why do the same thing for another four years if it hasn't worked the last four years?

Ok, I'm off my soapbox. I'm still talking to friends who voted the other way. I don't mention the election and make no comments if they do. The public has chosen their President, despite the news channels' influence.

When asked his plan for healthcare he say he had none but a concept. The guy he has put in charge of immigration when asked says he has no plan. He is putting people in place that have no experience … how could they possibly have a plan? You, obviously, were not listening.