I think that part of the problem why politics has gotten so vile and ugly is partly to do with journalistic tendencies. We used to get most of our information through TV, and newpapers, whereas now we can get it almost instantly from social media. With a lack of a monopoly on information, newsoutlets had to opt for other methods too keep peoples attention and I think they found it in grandstanding, and drama. I think that raised the temperature of discourse which politians later recognized and exploited. This doesn't excuse individuals from the responsablity of what they said but that we'll need to adapt and distance ourselves from the usual forms of information gathering, and limit our intake of reporting on daily events. Keep informed in other ways, but above all keep Levity. Perspective. A hobby.
Thanks for this take, Lazar. I think you're right about the danger of the various - and increasingly polarized - information access points. Media (traditional and social) has had a very interesting sorting effect on the American population (as has certainly happened in many other countries). As you rightly note, it certainly raises the temperature on both (all?) sides of the political fence. Political exploitation of media certainly isn't new in America, but it does seem to be ratcheted up to 10. I appreciate your reaffirmation for levity, perspective, and a hobby...ahem, I feel like you owe me some chess.
Really good perspective to read today, Luke! Thanks for writing this.
Levity. Perspective. A hobby.
I think that part of the problem why politics has gotten so vile and ugly is partly to do with journalistic tendencies. We used to get most of our information through TV, and newpapers, whereas now we can get it almost instantly from social media. With a lack of a monopoly on information, newsoutlets had to opt for other methods too keep peoples attention and I think they found it in grandstanding, and drama. I think that raised the temperature of discourse which politians later recognized and exploited. This doesn't excuse individuals from the responsablity of what they said but that we'll need to adapt and distance ourselves from the usual forms of information gathering, and limit our intake of reporting on daily events. Keep informed in other ways, but above all keep Levity. Perspective. A hobby.
Thanks for this take, Lazar. I think you're right about the danger of the various - and increasingly polarized - information access points. Media (traditional and social) has had a very interesting sorting effect on the American population (as has certainly happened in many other countries). As you rightly note, it certainly raises the temperature on both (all?) sides of the political fence. Political exploitation of media certainly isn't new in America, but it does seem to be ratcheted up to 10. I appreciate your reaffirmation for levity, perspective, and a hobby...ahem, I feel like you owe me some chess.