U.S. Election: No Thinking Required
I just watched the CBC news town hall meeting where Canadians and Americans were brought together to discuss the U.S. election. I found it frightening how so many “opinions” expressed were a mere parroting of talking points. Does our whole culture now suffer from a collective ADD where complex thinking has been replaced with the repetition of slogans, catch-phrases and sound-bytes? “Strong and resolute”: does anybody know what this actually means?
From a tactical point of view, talking points are sheer genius. Everybody wants to have an opinion and a way to articulate it. Why not provide it for them? This way the average citizen need not trouble his or her mind with all the complicated details inherent in every issue. Moreover, by carefully selecting the proper terminology for people to use, you can solidify their beliefs and prevent them from changing or softening their position. Think of it as a way to “consolidate your base.”
Unfortunately this tactic is highly effective. Inevitably it will become only more common. The result, however, promises to be devastating. It will only lead to a more homogeneous society, lacking in diversity of opinion, where assumptions are not tested or questioned. How can we stop this from happening?
Posted in American Politics
October 27th, 2004 at 5:09 pm
Good question Joel, and a scary concept too. I’ve met so many people in the last few years who just live their lives by repetitive, ad verbatim quotes and the phenomena is spreading.
Take the “Big Brother” TV show over here that has spawned a new generation of amateur armchair psychologists who can ’suss you out too’ because they watched an expert spout their opinion on the idiot tube. Lying seems to be a socially acceptable modern day commodity.
It really seems like the decline of western civilisation is upon us.
How do we stop it? Wait ’til the oil runs out and see what happens next - the bull scoiety is not prepared for reality.
Restrained rant over