However, in reality their scepticism is merely skin-deep.
What happens is that, whenever the media publishes something with which they disagree or that contradicts their world-view - then they reflexively doubt it.
But (and aren't we all prone to this one?) when something gets into the mass media that confirms our prejudices; suddenly we find ourselves bringing it to the attentions of others with some variant of a triumphant:
"There! See! I told you so!
Supposedly Alternative or counter-Establishment bloggers are among the very worst offenders in this regard: indeed most of the most productive, popular and influential "Right Wing" blogs would have nothing to say if they failed to comment on mass media reportage in just this manner.
Yet, of course, if the mass media are utterly dishonest and slavishly serve the totalitarian agenda - which they are and do - then we ought especially to disbelieve and ignore them when they seem to be reinforcing our preconceptions.
Because we can then be confident that we ourselves are there-and-then being-manipulated.
5 comments:
I caught myself doing this a couple of times recently. It's hard to stick to the discipline of asking myself "Is this actually valid or just something I want to be true?"
@Steve - I think everybody has done it from time to time, including me!
But that don't make it right!
I think lies are parasitic on truth and you couldn't have lies without truth. The idea of a media that only broadcasts lies seems incoherent to me. Even the most gullible wouldn't believe that. When a news item goes against the apparent "party line" of the media, it seems reasonable to believe it; it just means the media can't seriously deny it and retain the faintest hope of credibility.
@M - If you read the link, you'll see what I mean.
Ah, I see!
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