I'm not going to downplay 2020 (just yet); time will tell what was real and what was hype and fear. But, I do want to talk about the never-ending crisis and influence in the media. Ever since news became a 24/7 thing in the 80's, it has continued to evolve and has since become something completely different. News, by definition, is simply this— new, noteworthy information, especially about recent and important events. Now consider any news outlet (regardless of political preference), how much of it is "noteworthy information about recent events" and how much is propaganda, drama, hype, influence, manipulation, lies, celebrity gossip, etc.? Let's get something straight— "the news" is no longer news and hasn't been for a while. "News" today is a multibillion ad revenue business that is mostly made up of opinion based political hacks further dividing the country, working on their own agenda. It’s nauseating.
Always "Breaking"
I deleted my news apps a long time ago, but when I used to have them, and my notifications were turned on, about three times per day I would get "breaking news" alerts. It usually turned out to be something completely frivolous, but oh, did the headlines seem important! To be real, most of the things we consider "news" today is not news, but entertainment. Take a weeks worth of news consumption and consider how much of that was actual news. I'd be willing to bet it's a small fraction. Media has perfected the art of making everything out to be as if it is the most important thing in the world right now. Media needs a never-ending crisis, they need the "breaking news" hype, they need your CONSTANT ATTENTION. Humans are very adaptable creatures, and with time, we get fatigued and lose interest even with the most shocking crises, but FEAR NOT, the geniuses in the media will have a brand new crisis ready just in time to continue grabbing your attention, telling you how to think, and keeping your mind on what they say matters most.
Don't Underestimate
One indicator that "news" isn't news anymore but a propaganda tool is the fact that top liberal and conservative news hosts rank as some of the most powerful and influential people in the country. But wait, if the news is factual, why would the hosts be powerful and influential??? Good question. I don't care how you lean politically, if you for one second think that CNN or FOX has all the facts and your best interest in mind, you're a gullible fool. Both have an agenda, and no one is even trying to hide it anymore. If you want the truth you'll need to dig for it, and you might find it somewhere in between, or not at all. We are living in a time where the news media tells you how to think, what to think about, what to believe, what to fear, what to be outraged about, and they are successful at it! Don't underestimate them; most likely you fell right in line with their narrative, like the good soldier you ought to be.
When you talk to people, they think they are enlightened independent thinkers and pride themselves on their untainted logic. In reality, 99% of Americans fall into ONE of TWO groups of thought; coincidentally, the news media does as well. Oh, and so does the entire political systems. Let's admit it— we aren't the "independent thinkers" we think we are. Let's wake up and realize that our thoughts, fears, ideas, and beliefs might not be truly our own, and let's make an effort to think for ourselves. Wouldn't that be something?
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