Interesting Substack post from Robert Reich: "The Monetization of Rage"

[Brian]

I came across this yesterday and am reposting it as I feel it does an excellent job of addressing some of the reasons why today's "news" media have become what they are today.

I get it that some folks here might not be big fans of Robert Reich, but regardless of ones feeling toward the messenger, I feel that the message is especially valid today.

Enjoy-or not!

"Years ago, I appeared on several television programs where I debated conservatives. Once, when my opponent and I discovered we agreed on more than we disagreed, the TV producer shouted in my earbud, "More anger!"

I asked the producer during the commercial break why she wanted more anger.

"It's why people tune in," she said. "An angry fight attracts more viewers than a calm discussion. People stop scrolling and stay put. Advertisers want this."


https://robertreich.substack.com/p/the-monetization-of-rage?utm_source=substack&publication_id=365422&post_id=173551417&utm_medium=email&utm_content=share&utm_campaign=email-share&triggerShare=true&isFreemail=true&r=1h2yym&triedRedirect=true

Cheers, Brian

[CNCAppsJames]

...

"Years ago, I appeared on several television programs where I debated conservatives. Once, when my opponent and I discovered we agreed on more than we disagreed, the TV producer shouted in my earbud, "More anger!"

I asked the producer during the commercial break why she wanted more anger.

"It's why people tune in," she said. "An angry fight attracts more viewers than a calm discussion. People stop scrolling and stay put. Advertisers want this."

Social Media, regular media, etc.... they ALL hire psychologists and and demographers and their #1 goal is to get your eyeballs.

[jstell]

He sure manages to remain hopeful, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, closing with this:
"5. Have our schools emphasize critical thinking about what students hear and see in the "news," so they're better able to distinguish truth from fiction and real news from hype."

[Smit]

I came across this yesterday and am reposting it as I feel it does an excellent job of addressing some of the reasons why today's "news" media have become what they are today.

Any rational person already knows this. But good for Robert Reich to say it out loud.

[Bucky Cornstarch]

He sure manages to remain hopeful, in spite of all evidence to the contrary, closing with this:
"5. Have our schools emphasize critical thinking about what students hear and see in the "news," so they're better able to distinguish truth from fiction and real news from hype."

Hell, most adults can't do that, as evidenced by the abundance of right wing rage bait "news" sources.

MAGA is so much more effective if it succeeds in it's efforts in eliminating critical thinking.

[Brian]

Any rational person already knows this. But good for Robert Reich to say it out loud.

I agree completely! And then I see some of the stuff we "discuss" (aka "argue about") here (and elsewhere online) and wonder about your statement.

Perhaps I'm the idiot for assuming that folks that do our sort of work are any more rational than average! Silly me....

[beej]

On one hand, I prefer the rational over irrational. On the other hand, in politics, rational always ends up looking like "managed decline"

[mowens]

You are naive if you think rage bait is only on the right.
My wife, who used to be Republican, used to fume at Trump about one thing or another, usually something she heard on facebook. I have since instituted a no talking politics when we talk on the phone.

[beej]

You are naive if you think rage bait is only on the right.
My wife, who used to be Republican, used to fume at Trump about one thing or another, usually something she heard on facebook. I have since instituted a no talking politics when we talk on the phone.

I have outrage fatigue. I'm tired of outrage from all sides.

[neurosis]

Can people tell the difference between rage porn and something worthy of being concerned about anymore?

[Smit]

Can people tell the difference between rage porn and something worthy of being concerned about anymore?

I think most rage bait consumers cannot tell the difference.

I think many people who don't eagerly consume rage bait also can't tell the difference. By that I mean they'll dismiss legitimate news that doesn't reflect well on their chosen views as "rage bait," even when it's real news that strongly affects our nation.

[beej]

my FIL who used to think that Dick Cheney was the devil incarnate, told me last night that he always liked Dick Cheney. called him a good family man who made a few questionable calls.

first he fell for the media rage, then he fell for the anti-trump media rehabilitation. but how do you explain that to someone?

[Bucky Cornstarch]

Anyone who wants to delve deeper into the subject should watch:

The Brainwashing of My Dad

There are some who will dismiss it as a left wing trash piece, but those are likely the same people who consume and spew rage bait without even knowing it.

[jstell]

so much more effective if it succeeds in it's efforts in eliminating critical thinking.

Repugs for 45 years at least.  Let's keep defunding education to keep people dumb enough to vote for us, stake the claim on religious righteousness and patriotism while we have affairs of both the extra-marital and Iran-Contra variety (while still pretending to the moral high ground), and build for-profit prisons to fill with brown people!  Yeah us!

[beej]

Repugs for 45 years at least.  Let's keep defunding education to keep people dumb enough to vote for us, stake the claim on religious righteousness and patriotism while we have affairs of both the extra-marital and Iran-Contra variety (while still pretending to the moral high ground), and build for-profit prisons to fill with brown people!  Yeah us!

believe what you want, but:

spending on education has not gone down under any administration
democrats have also had affairs both extra-marital and the Iran-Contra variety and while claiming high moral ground
and there are more white people in prison than brown people.