General Discussion

Bluetus

(292 posts)

62. Correct. This is not new.

Sat Nov 9, 2024, 11:23 AM

Nov 9

Last edited Sat Nov 9, 2024, 01:58 PM - Edit history (2)

This appeal to divisiveness was seen in Reagan's many fabricated stories of "welfare Cadillacs". This kind of propagandizing has been out there forever. The big difference is that people spend so much time online in confined bubbles (I say with no hint of irony as I interact online in just such a bubble), that gaslighting is much more efficient, effective AND CHEAPER than ever before.

One aspect of this online gaslighting is that it can multiply the tribalism because DIFFERENT bubbles can be gaslighted in completely different ways. We have the perfect example where the white Christian nationalists (I.e. the Fox News consumers) were fed a constant stream of the horrors of the border and waves of brown people taking your jobs and raping your daughters.

But only a few degrees of separation away, the GOP had a massive media operation targeting that selfsame Spanish-speaking population where they never talked about the 20 million deportations, but hammered on inflation and those abortions that are such an offense to the Catholic god that it didn't even make Moses' top 10 list. (Never mind that Moses predated the Catholics by 1500 years.)

The new media world literally allows charlatans to target adjacent communities with positions that are diametrically opposed to one another. And it works.

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Irish_Dem Wild blueberry

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Highlight:

Kareem Abdul Jabbar's comment [View all] trickyrick3 Nov 8 OP

He is wrong. We cannot assume our fellow Americans want a compassionate, fair America. Irish_Dem Nov 8 #1

We now live in an America where over half think they deserve rights that the other half should not have. Lonestarblue Nov 8 #6

We live in a country where it is a crime to save a woman's life. Irish_Dem Nov 8 #16

The leopards are going to get fat eating their faces... StarryNite Nov 8 #9

The pancake makeup is carcinogenic. rubbersole Nov 8 #19

I think it's pretty clear that is the last thing they want. ECL213 Nov 8 #28

Kareem isn't always right misanthrope Nov 9 #56

Isn't that what the founding fathers preached? "When in the course of human events... brush Nov 8 #52

Correct. This is not new. Bluetus Nov 9 #62

Good post. Welcome to DU. Irish_Dem Nov 9 #63

Very well put. underpants Nov 8 #2

Recommended. H2O Man Nov 8 #3

Kareem makes a lot of sense. jalan48 Nov 8 #4

He's a better person than I am. yardwork Nov 8 #5

One more member of The Resistance. Jeebo Nov 8 #7

I remember that very well (about Mikey calling it "resistance radio") choie Nov 8 #38

"The next four years will be a shit show" Ray Bruns Nov 8 #8

"... dance around a pagan fire like the deranged children in Lord of the Flies." William Seger Nov 8 #10

I will try to show them grace, La Coliniere Nov 8 #11

I'll be tolerant of them.....that's it. Grace??? They're not worthy of grace. a kennedy Nov 8 #34

Tolerant my ass. I'm staying as far away from them as I can. calimary Nov 9 #60

KnR Hekate Nov 8 #12

that is good, barbtries Nov 8 #13

He has more faith in our decency than I do 0rganism Nov 8 #14

Well said, but I don't really think we *are* better than this relayerbob Nov 8 #15

"We assume that,...they...want a compassionate America that embraces all of its people and protects their rights." LudwigPastorius Nov 8 #17

Sorry, Kareem, I cannot do it. lastlib Nov 8 #18

It's not pagan. love_katz Nov 8 #20

Ahmen! Felicita Nov 8 #22

Yes! THIS.☝️ Duppers Nov 8 #40

I have no more Grace to give. SaveOurDemocracy Nov 8 #21

They own the media DownriverDem Nov 8 #23

My heart is much darker than this, but I see how his message puts a nice face on it. ffr Nov 8 #24

Kareem was restrained by his standing in oasis Nov 8 #33

There will be nothing left bucolic_frolic Nov 8 #25

Thanks. But I will form... littlemissmartypants Nov 8 #26

Thanks. But I will form... littlemissmartypants Nov 8 #27

Having grace toward those who have none is not an easy task. madaboutharry Nov 8 #29

love it Skittles Nov 8 #30

Truth, but I want accountabilty for what Orange Julius has been charged with in 4 legal venues. Evolve Dammit Nov 8 #31

Kareem stated the situation we're in with class oasis Nov 8 #32

This guy is so wise and such an excellent writer. Pinback Nov 8 #35

Naive is an understatement. choie Nov 8 #37

What did you think of the other five paragraphs in the piece? (nt) Pinback Nov 8 #44

It was very well written. But, I''m not in the frame of mind choie Nov 8 #45

Understood. We all have a lot of rage right now, Pinback Nov 8 #50

Except we're not better than this election choie Nov 8 #36

Fooled me too malaise Nov 8 #39

There is a woman who lives across the street from me... stillcool Nov 8 #41

You're Better Than I Am SoCalDavidS Nov 8 #49

I don't know what's in her heart... stillcool Nov 8 #53

It is possible to remain civil while being curt misanthrope Nov 9 #57

Ignoring Someone Is Not Starting Something Acrimonious SoCalDavidS Nov 9 #58

Fuck some grace, Kareem. That ran out in 2000. TheKentuckian Nov 8 #42

Can you offer forgiveness choie Nov 8 #46

Me either. TheKentuckian Nov 8 #47

Amen Coexist Nov 8 #43

Brilliant ThePartyThatListens Nov 8 #48

Thank you Kareem, I agree with your assessment, with the exception of ASSUMING they are "misguided". I cannot go that JohnSJ Nov 8 #51

I respect his ideas, but he is giving the assholes and delusional morons Hassler Nov 9 #54

"They made a mistake, like a child sticking its finger in an electrical socket." Montauk6 Nov 9 #55

He keeps on saying the "next four years" Jarqui Nov 9 #59

The consequences of another Trump presidency will have a much greater influence on those who voted for him... Martin Eden Nov 9 #61

Lady Liberty may soon utter "forgive them; for they know not what they do" andym Nov 9 #64

Good man hootman Nov 9 #65