I wouldn't do it if others would beat me to saying what needs to be said.
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I wouldn't do it if others would beat me to saying what needs to be said.
nothing needs to be said though
who are you talking to?
http://i45.tinypic.com/zohxd5.jpg
people who want to discuss what was posted.
He's right though.Quote:
Originally Posted by Joust Williams
Very true. Also a big problem is that giant corporations and spin doctors have hijacked the information pipeline (namely, the news), so instead of informing you it's actually just feeding you distortions and lies to trick you.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fe 26
Also true is that a lot of people simply wall themself off in the online world, by just going to the sites and communities with other people that have their exact worldview. There's no chance for a serious exchange of ideas.
The problem is that a functioning republic is built on knowledgeable people and the free exchange of ideas, so when you don't have that, you have... the USA as of 2010.
that isn't just online. Adults do that all the time. They might only listen to one news channel. Or worse, only listen to their preacher.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diff-chan
Its all a byproduct of technology. The great advances in communication have made the world smaller. The rest of the country (if world) is in everyone's face. And it scares the crap out of them. They don't know how to deal with the changes. They don't know how to accept different people. The idea that they may be wrong about how to best live a life terrifies them. "I might be wrong" is the worst thought these people can have.
So they wall themselves up.
Technology is a huge contributing factor in the nation being so polarized right now. People are not dealing well with the idea that America (and the world) is made up some really different people. They are pulling back in disgust when they see how "ugly" everyone else is. And with technology, all that "ugliness" is right in your face.
I'd place the blame on radio and television, which have existed for the better part of a century. Confirmation bias is spot on, people only seek news that reinforces beliefs they already have, but it's not like the internet is making that possible any more than the same old mediums are.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fe 26
What matters more is the death of journalism, the birth of the 24 hour news cycle and the ever increasing ability of corporations to shape the opinions of their viewers. If the billionaires that own a media station want to kill a piece of legislation, they can easily convince their viewership to mobilize against it.
I agree that technology can make people complacent, but I don't think it has much to do with the polarized left/right bullshit in the Bush/Obama years.
Obama isn't spewing anything new with that bullshit though. It's the same thing that was said when movies were invented, radio, television, etc.
"OH NOES! TEH INFERMATION GONNA MAKE ME STUPID!"
It would also hold more water if he actually knew how to use the very thing he's criticizing. "I don't know what it does or how to use it, but I know it's bad!"
Not really.Quote:
Obama isn't spewing anything new with that bullshit though. It's the same thing that was said when movies were invented, radio, television, etc.
Yes it is it's just a different medium.