When I first discovered The Young Turks (T.Y.T.) on YouTube, I immediately fell in love. They were angry and concise. They knew the attention span of the YouTube audience. Here's a short bio at their Wikipedia page. Something seems to be going wrong. A barely noticeable shift in production technique that might qualify as "creeping normality" toward a Main-Stream Media (M.S.M.) model.
Unlike broadcast television, YouTube has no time constraints, so messaging can be as short or long as necessary to get the point across, you don't have to fill time with speculation and punditry.
Not many people realize this, but as an audience of the Internet, people tend to seek out messages that validate their preexisting beliefs. Most people choose to avoid messages that challenge their beliefs.
In the old days when there were only three major broadcast television networks, everyone was directly confronted with information that conflicted with their own belief systems. Edward R. Murrow and Walter Cronkite held captive nearly the entire United States population as their audience.
Back to T.Y.T.; I began to notice a gradual shift in the production techniques. At first they would report the facts and make their points, but then casually speculate and converse about the subject, but this technique actually reveals how little they actually know about a subject. I'm speaking as a 51 year old, so maybe I'm being unfair because they really are very young individuals.
The next thing I noticed was a gradual shift toward more human interest subjects and social issues that were long ago pegged as divisive or frivolous by other alternative Internet news outlets.
Many of the topics were already ubiquitous on the M.S.M.. I couldn't understand why this was happening, but maybe it was a kind of psychological infection borne from the need to monitor the M.S.M. for critical evaluation and reporting.
I worried they might be going back to sleep.
The alternative might be that they are trying to reach the M.S.M. audience, draw them in, and then wake them up with the truth. A tactic like this requires compartmentalization, so the audience fully indoctrinated with the truth can still enjoy their reports, while the sleepy, yet-to-be awoken audience can be hooked.
Every kind of Internet media production faces this dilemma. How do you keep preaching to your choir and yet manage to challenge the beliefs of, and recruit outsiders? Bait.
I'm suddenly reminded of Dale Carnegie's How to Win Friends and Influence People. The problem in talking up to the lowest intellect of the public to gain their trust is keeping the audience you already have. I must accept that this is the goal, but as a long-time fan of T.Y.T., I'm having ever-increasing difficulty enduring.
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Monday, March 7, 2016
Recently Ripped News Posts From My Facebook Feed
I can't get them fast enough. It's mostly horrible.
- Mitt Romney Files FEC Paperwork To Run In 2016 Election
- Lead exposure has terrifying effects on grown-ups, too
- Are big power companies pulling a fast one on Florida voters?
- How Millennials Are Paying for ‘the Western World’s Most Stunning Accounting Disaster to Date’
- Revealed: The Fossil Fuel Tycoons Trying to Buy the US Election
- Supreme Court reverses Alabama's refusal to recognize same-sex adoption
- As a girl, I went through abstinence ed. As a woman, I’m trying to understand the damage done.
- My Magical Year Living the Scandinavian Dream with My Wife -- Where You Can Get Pregnant and Not Panic About Hospital Bills
- Creationist Nutjob Ken Ham: Teaching Kids Science Is 'Intellectual Child Abuse'
- Hillary's Economic Agenda Sure Looks Like Payback for Wall St Giving Her Huge Piles of Campaign Cash
- NBC Journalist Caught Tipping Off Clinton Spox to Questions Before Interview
- ‘Very Disturbing’: Clinton Campaign Slams Bernie Sanders’ Response on Racial Blindspots
- Since the 1930s, fascist dictators have used 7 techniques to amass power. I'm not suggesting Donald Trump is a fascist or wanna-be dictator, but he does seem to be following the script. 1. Create a cult of personality. (Donald Trump doesn’t offer policy prescriptions. He offers himself as a strongman who is powerful enough do whatever it takes.) 2. Jail the media. (Trump hasn’t gone this far, but reporters covering his rallies are kept in a cage, quite literally. And he describes the media as his enemy.) 3. Intimidate opponents. (This is Trump's stock in trade. For example, he tweeted recently that the Ricketts family, who are spending money against his candidacy, “better be careful, they have a lot to hide.”) 4. Incite violence. (People describing themselves as Trump supporters have attacked Muslims and the homeless. At his rallies, his supporters have beaten and spit on black protesters.) 5. Scapegoat racial and ethnic minorities. (Trump blames America’s problems on Mexican immigrants, Muslims, Muslim-Americans, and African-Americans.) 6. Glorify national power. (Trump’s entire foreign policy consists of asserting American power and fueling xenophobia against other nations.) 6. Disregard international law. (Trump wants to use torture, punish the families of terrorists, for example.) 7. Create a mass following directly, without party or other intermediaries. (Trump’s tweets circumvent all filters. It’s just him and his followers.) What do you think?
- Obama and Kids
- Ronald Reagan was a corporate sellout who hated poor people
- Saudi Arabia's Exploding Christmas Gifts From Hillary Clinton
- Guess Who's Finally Raising The Minimum Wage They Pay Workers
- How a 19-Year-Old North Korean Escaped and Became a Sushi Chef in America | VICE News
- Flint resident files lawsuit against corporations, officials - World Socialist Web Site
- Romney and Rubio Attack Trump University, But Both Are Tied to Predatory Colleges
- Why Do We Wear the Mask?
- Cincinnati Man Arrested While Walking with Cappuccino in Viral Video Re-Arrested for Photographing Police in Courthouse - PINAC News
- The US military budget is nearly $600b. One-third of that would end poverty
- What Causes Addiction? A Very Fascinating Study Shows We Might Be Completely Wrong About It
- The Media Has Only Scratched The Surface Of Donald Trump's Business Record
- Apple Exploits Chinese Workers With 72 Hour Work Weeks For Just $1.85/Hour
- Fears Of Contamination Confirmed, North Carolina Residents Warned Not To Drink Their Water
- Homeless Man Owes Government Over $110,000 In Fines For Being Homeless
- 90-Year-Old Veteran Blocked From Voting By Illegal GOP Voter ID Laws
- Bernie Sanders Earns Endorsement From One Of Flint’s Most Celebrated Politicians Who Said Clinton’s Policies ‘Destroyed The Flint I Loved’
- WATCH: Computer Programmer Testifies Under Oath He Coded Computers to Rig Elections
- Buying the War: How Big Media Failed Us - BillMoyers.com
- Instead of Helping a Car Crash Victim, this Cop Raped Her – His Lack of Punishment is Infuriating
- Special districts spend more public money than all city governments combined. That's odd considering most of us don't know they exist.
Sunday, March 6, 2016
Some of my Facebook posts.
Here are some links I ripped from my Facebook Feed:
The Immortal George Carlin Explains What Being ‘Politically Correct’ Really Is
New poll shows John Kasich holding slim lead in Michigan GOP primary
https://media.giphy.com/media/xT9DPvY9EDZZN5EBMs/giphy.gif
Senator Charles Grassley To Shut Down Judicial Branch
Saudi-Turkish Trick: What Are the Two Scheming in Syria?
How Bernie Helped America's Most Exploited Workers When No One Else Listened (VIDEO)
Bernie Hangs Tight, Beats Hillary in Two States Out of Three, While Trump and Cruz Split Two Each
‘We created this monster and it’s taken on a life of its own’: New York Federal Judge Calls out Peers for Reliance on Plea Deal System
Tea Party Senator Is Single-Handedly Holding up Federal Relief Funds for Flint
Bernie Is Crushing Hillary in Coal Country
SNL‘s Donald Trump: ‘I Have a Great Big Huge D*ck!’
10 Reasons Why Conservatives Should Start Supporting Bernie Sanders Immediately
Trump Calls For Loyalty Oath From Florida Supporters
Economists Who Bashed Bernie Sanders' Tax Plan Admit They're Clueless: "We're Not Really Experts"
Cop Attacks Black Man on Morning Walk. In 2003, He Beat Another Black Man to Death
Last Night in Magnolia, Mike O'Brien Got Shouted at for Suggesting It's Wrong to Punish People for Being Homeless
Private Security Guard Hired by Neighbors Reportedly Pepper-Sprays a Magnolia Resident Minding His Own Business
BOOM! GOP Senator Tells Fox News Host Sean Hannity He's Full Of Sh*t
15 Politicians Who Are Worse Than Donald Trump
Open Thread - Spot The Difference
McDonald's Franchise Owners Confirm: Fast Food Giant "Facing Its Final Days"
What Happens to Journalists When No One Wants to Print Their Words Anymore? - BillMoyers.com
Rothschild Bank Now Under Criminal Investigation After Baron David De Rothschild Indictment
Heil Trump: These Photos Of Trump Supporters Saluting Him Will Terrify You
Rupert Murdoch And Jerry Hall Are Married
The White Elephant: Donald Trump and the KKK
Costco ups the ante, makes big announcement for labor market
Donald Trump Asked the Crowd to Do One Thing – And the Result Is Visually Terrifying
Bernie Sanders hilariously mocks Hillary Clinton for her paid speeches to big banks
“Bernie can’t possibly last,” a Hillary-supporter told me this morning. “He’ll run out of money.” Really? 1. Bernie is very close his five-millionth contribution. That’s more than double the number of donations that Hillary Clinton has got so far. 2. In February, according to federal election records, Bernie outraised Hillary for the second month in a row -- bringing in a total of $42.7 million compared to $30 million brought in by her campaign. On February 29 alone, he raised $6 million. 3. The average donation to Bernie is still $27. By contrast, 56 percent of the total Hillary has raised so far has come from contributors who gave the maximum of $2,700, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute. The reason so many small-donors are contributing to Bernie’s campaign is because he’s leading a movement to get big money out of politics. That’s the only way to get our democracy back. And as long as he continues to win delegates — as he did today by winning the Kansas and Nebraska caucuses, and last week in Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Colorado – he has a shot. What do you think? PS: Bernie and Hillary will debate again tomorrow (Sunday) in Flint, and on Monday in Detroit.
Bernie Sanders Sweeps to Victory in 2 More States on Super Saturday
Bernie Sanders is No Longer Just a Viable Candidate, and Now Has a Real Chance of Winning - Political People Blog
Bernie Sanders Wins Kansas Caucuses in Record Voter Turnout
Bernie Sanders Wins Super Saturday, Sweeping the Democratic Caucuses
Lauren Colchamiro's Video
Flint fallout could cost US $300bn in infrastructure upgrades to replace all lead pipes
The Immortal George Carlin Explains What Being ‘Politically Correct’ Really Is
New poll shows John Kasich holding slim lead in Michigan GOP primary
https://media.giphy.com/media/xT9DPvY9EDZZN5EBMs/giphy.gif
Senator Charles Grassley To Shut Down Judicial Branch
Saudi-Turkish Trick: What Are the Two Scheming in Syria?
How Bernie Helped America's Most Exploited Workers When No One Else Listened (VIDEO)
Bernie Hangs Tight, Beats Hillary in Two States Out of Three, While Trump and Cruz Split Two Each
‘We created this monster and it’s taken on a life of its own’: New York Federal Judge Calls out Peers for Reliance on Plea Deal System
Tea Party Senator Is Single-Handedly Holding up Federal Relief Funds for Flint
Bernie Is Crushing Hillary in Coal Country
SNL‘s Donald Trump: ‘I Have a Great Big Huge D*ck!’
10 Reasons Why Conservatives Should Start Supporting Bernie Sanders Immediately
Trump Calls For Loyalty Oath From Florida Supporters
Economists Who Bashed Bernie Sanders' Tax Plan Admit They're Clueless: "We're Not Really Experts"
Cop Attacks Black Man on Morning Walk. In 2003, He Beat Another Black Man to Death
Last Night in Magnolia, Mike O'Brien Got Shouted at for Suggesting It's Wrong to Punish People for Being Homeless
Private Security Guard Hired by Neighbors Reportedly Pepper-Sprays a Magnolia Resident Minding His Own Business
BOOM! GOP Senator Tells Fox News Host Sean Hannity He's Full Of Sh*t
15 Politicians Who Are Worse Than Donald Trump
Open Thread - Spot The Difference
McDonald's Franchise Owners Confirm: Fast Food Giant "Facing Its Final Days"
What Happens to Journalists When No One Wants to Print Their Words Anymore? - BillMoyers.com
Rothschild Bank Now Under Criminal Investigation After Baron David De Rothschild Indictment
Heil Trump: These Photos Of Trump Supporters Saluting Him Will Terrify You
Rupert Murdoch And Jerry Hall Are Married
The White Elephant: Donald Trump and the KKK
Costco ups the ante, makes big announcement for labor market
Donald Trump Asked the Crowd to Do One Thing – And the Result Is Visually Terrifying
Bernie Sanders hilariously mocks Hillary Clinton for her paid speeches to big banks
“Bernie can’t possibly last,” a Hillary-supporter told me this morning. “He’ll run out of money.” Really? 1. Bernie is very close his five-millionth contribution. That’s more than double the number of donations that Hillary Clinton has got so far. 2. In February, according to federal election records, Bernie outraised Hillary for the second month in a row -- bringing in a total of $42.7 million compared to $30 million brought in by her campaign. On February 29 alone, he raised $6 million. 3. The average donation to Bernie is still $27. By contrast, 56 percent of the total Hillary has raised so far has come from contributors who gave the maximum of $2,700, according to an analysis by the nonpartisan Campaign Finance Institute. The reason so many small-donors are contributing to Bernie’s campaign is because he’s leading a movement to get big money out of politics. That’s the only way to get our democracy back. And as long as he continues to win delegates — as he did today by winning the Kansas and Nebraska caucuses, and last week in Oklahoma, Minnesota, and Colorado – he has a shot. What do you think? PS: Bernie and Hillary will debate again tomorrow (Sunday) in Flint, and on Monday in Detroit.
Bernie Sanders Sweeps to Victory in 2 More States on Super Saturday
Bernie Sanders is No Longer Just a Viable Candidate, and Now Has a Real Chance of Winning - Political People Blog
Bernie Sanders Wins Kansas Caucuses in Record Voter Turnout
Bernie Sanders Wins Super Saturday, Sweeping the Democratic Caucuses
Lauren Colchamiro's Video
Flint fallout could cost US $300bn in infrastructure upgrades to replace all lead pipes
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