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freshwest

(53,661 posts)
64. I think some seek stories to validate their world view. It comes in several flavors.
Fri Aug 2, 2013, 02:12 PM
Aug 2013

The one I'm most familiar with is the Infowars reality road show. I know the dog whistles. The passion and fear generated with these slick productions have metastasized the electorate, been cited by GOP candidates, governors, mayors, etc. Take a peek to see how it all lines up:


Welcome to US Police State by Info Wars (OpEd)


That Marshall Law (sic) that is always just around the corner but doesn't seem to stay for long if ever.


The Obama = Bush meme, and more, free on Youtube, really terrifying stuff.

Once you have gone down that rabbit hole, all roads lead back to it, unless you are willing to burn the bridges after seeing it for the entertainment show it really is, with a rather nasty. Koch funded agenda behind it. Every piece of information, no matter how groundless it is, will be seized to validate that underlying belief system that was put in place subconsciously or subliminally.

I went the journey a few years ago for researching. I could talk the talk with the Paulites, the Baggers, etc. But they've gotten so much worse post-2008, more of a cult that demand instant, enthusiastic validation of their faith, that I don't bother any more. They are more hardened in their views than ever before.

It's addictive and gins up that stomach gnawing fear to put the mind in a state that is suggestible. That's what Fox News does, keeps a low level anxiety to freeze up the person's attention. The information bypasses the frontal lobe and goes straight into the permanent record of the subconscious, where it never leaves.

I go back to check where some stuff I see posted is coming from, usually the un-sourced 'cries for help' appeals, searching for kindred spirits. Which we all do, however.

If one doesn't respond to the dog whistle they call you a 'sheeple.' More often than not, checking out key words show they are the latest Infowars radio show program topic.

I'm immune after riding the wave, realizing its addictive power and that is one thing I hate, being mindless in that way. It's consuming something and repeating it, without a lot of mental reflection:



I don't find fault with people who go with it, as media and the internet are now the educators, even if it's woo. What can you say to those souls looking for safety in numbers without them saying you are victimizing them, just like any other cult?

There is no looking ahead to what this particular form of nihilism results in. Few people seem to know basic civics, act like everything that happens is created by some unseen force or alleviated by some mood online or in the media. The real truth of life, not The Truth©, is tedious and aggravating. In that sense, the GOP is more reality based. They do that work consistently.

No wonder so many go with 'false flag' stories and 'outrage' on a regular basis. One of the Infowars theme songs is abouit how 'it's all rigged.' So why would they think it's worth their time to do grunt work on the precinct level?

Give up and promote the Paul Revolution. They learned what to be outraged about from the rantings put out there daily. It's sad they don't see real things hurting people they could help, instead follow only what media provides. It is more entertaining and satisfying.

They don't see beyond their feelings, as media consumers it is not pragmatic or based in real life reality. Politics is just another TV show to them. Just a feeling to experience. I see so many memes taken straight from the mouth of Alex Jones.

'It's all a lie and they are out to get you!' is what half this stuff is and it really does get people going. I read a piece on the Infowars syndrome. The persistance is akin to self-medicating.

The person is in that reality after hours of exposure to media. And now they have a predisposition to resist all facts to the contrary. The CT reality has truths, myths, history, science fiction, the battle of good and evil, arch villains and heroes all mixed together. Fascinating, exciting even.

The person so afflicted is not aware of it, but they are given enough repetition to make them sense a crisis over thing that are out of their control, or so it's presented to them that way, that is going to cause them grave harm. That keeps them listening, it's instinctive to pay close attention in matters of survival. One might call it Cold War propaganda for a new generation, but this time it's about destroying the government for freedom and liberty. Never mind those Koch brothers pulling the strings.

The writer said this process creates a steady cascade of brain chemicals from arousal to fatigue, with the adrenaline depleting over the course of a day that is programmed by Infowars, Beck or Fox.

It's like getting depressed over and over again. To regain that sense of heightened arousal to the stimulus, that feeling that one is hyper aware and alive, the person must return to the CT water hole without fail. Or else be forced to face a boring, mundane world that seems grey and unreal in its place.

People love joining groups. They found an subculture that gives meaning to lives that would otherwise be boring. JMHO.

Hope the graphics don't offend, I'll remove them if they bug you, but I post them in order to show how much information can be shot to the part of the brain that isn't buffered by things liberals value, like facts. That's why rebuttals with facts are ignored. I find that is why some things are as they are.

Wow. zappaman Aug 2013 #1
And ever other embarrassing DevonRex Aug 2013 #4
"Firmly and unwaveringly behind Bush and his strategy to fight the war on terror..." Rowdyboy Aug 2013 #2
So it turns out a bunch of DUers got hoodwinked by a Republican Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #3
Broad brush insult of your fellow DUers. kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #10
This message was self-deleted by its author Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #13
I think that ever since the Rethugs started their campaign of fake scandals pnwmom Aug 2013 #14
Sad but true. And this place has been the worse for it. nt SunSeeker Aug 2013 #18
+1. I didn't even care until it was refuted. It's so common now, it's not remarkable. freshwest Aug 2013 #22
Those who pile onto the threads and gin up the fear, don't come back and say they were fooled. MADem Aug 2013 #33
I think some seek stories to validate their world view. It comes in several flavors. freshwest Aug 2013 #64
MADem, more to the attitude I think you refer to here and where it leads: freshwest Aug 2013 #65
What a fantastic post, it should be an OP. MADem Aug 2013 #70
TY. I edited and added a reply to it for you to read below that. As far as the question: freshwest Aug 2013 #72
They see third world places as freer than this country because what evil they do is out of sight.... MADem Aug 2013 #74
Thanks for both of your thoughtful posts. We need more of this, especially lately. pnwmom Aug 2013 #83
What an AMAZING post. And what's really interesting is the number of people who have decided Number23 Aug 2013 #80
Here's to those who aren't addicted to conspiracy theories and don't FEAR Cha Aug 2013 #84
Agreed, perfectly said here: freshwest Aug 2013 #86
Not all of DUers of course.. and the OP in LBN warning about "Big Brother is coming" Cha Aug 2013 #85
Bush supporter? No wonder this sounded like some made up BS... HipChick Aug 2013 #5
"Latest hero"? I'm out for some sunshine and fresh Cha Aug 2013 #6
a swiftboating cheerleader ? JI7 Aug 2013 #7
Who knew? n/t pnwmom Aug 2013 #8
"Hero"? Oh, my. Someone's mask is slipping. kestrel91316 Aug 2013 #9
I know you believed her yesterday. And so did a lot of others. pnwmom Aug 2013 #11
that's very true, but where does this "hero" crap fit in? frylock Aug 2013 #56
People didn't call her a hero, but they treated her like one. pnwmom Aug 2013 #59
Can't believe so many DUers fell for this. nt woolldog Aug 2013 #12
You must be new here. Egnever Aug 2013 #16
When I read it yesterday morning, I knew immediately something was off. woolldog Aug 2013 #66
Never heard of her. nt Zorra Aug 2013 #15
Neither have I. Chakab Aug 2013 #20
For me it's up to my knees...nt Maximumnegro Aug 2013 #40
A bushite? ismnotwasm Aug 2013 #17
If that is the kind of stuff she writes, I hope she has a real job somewhere like washing dishes JDPriestly Aug 2013 #19
While I understand the scorn, and the person behind it may be someone who has earned it, jtuck004 Aug 2013 #21
It is not at all clear what the employer found on the computer pnwmom Aug 2013 #23
I know, but this is just one we heard about. And if you are non-white, or your name is Sayeed, jtuck004 Aug 2013 #25
I should also mention that I was in OKC when the Federal Building got blown up, and jtuck004 Aug 2013 #34
You're still buying her story. jeff47 Aug 2013 #57
What I am buying, contrary to your unsubstantiated opinion, is that her work reported her to jtuck004 Aug 2013 #63
Boy, you really aren't paying much attention to the story. jeff47 Aug 2013 #87
You obviously have more time to care about what you write than I have. jtuck004 Aug 2013 #88
And there are actually people on this web site that are shocked, SHOCKED when people note the Number23 Aug 2013 #24
+1,000 !!!! nt MADem Aug 2013 #29
+1001 Hekate Aug 2013 #32
+1 uponit7771 Aug 2013 #61
+1002 tallahasseedem Aug 2013 #62
Hell yes. great white snark Aug 2013 #77
I think you meant to say 'cause celebre' Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #26
I think she was more than attention-getting. People were making pnwmom Aug 2013 #27
Spirit...like vodka, and chardonnay? nt MADem Aug 2013 #30
It's a big stretch from 'woman of spirit' to 'hero'. Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #36
There was an OP with at least 56 recs lauding her for providing pnwmom Aug 2013 #41
I know. I've read it but I see no evidence of anyone coming close to calling Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #42
They weren't calling her a hero. They were behaving as if she were a hero. pnwmom Aug 2013 #43
Indeed. Believing a story means that the story teller is a hero. Luminous Animal Aug 2013 #44
"I also didn't see anyone calling her a 'woman of spirit'" Cali_Democrat Aug 2013 #75
Who cares if she is a RW shill! zappaman Aug 2013 #76
there's one with over 200 recs thinking the NSA shit is just peachy keen Skittles Aug 2013 #45
Where? n/t pnwmom Aug 2013 #46
I have long since put that nutcase on ignore Skittles Aug 2013 #47
Then how do you know what was in the post? I haven't seen anything like that. n/t pnwmom Aug 2013 #48
look up the definition of the word SINCE Skittles Aug 2013 #49
Notice the lack of answer/proof? There's a reason for that, you know. Number23 Aug 2013 #81
Of course, but that doesn't help the OP attack other DUers Union Scribe Aug 2013 #50
I smelled a little horseshit, but I was trying to be civil. I said I'd wait until the folks doing MADem Aug 2013 #28
And this is the tip of the iceberg of what's out there. pnwmom Aug 2013 #35
I bow down low to your impeccable sleuthing talents!!!!! MADem Aug 2013 #39
Fear and anger make people gullible. Thanks for lifting up the rock, pnwmom. Hekate Aug 2013 #31
You're welcome. And you're right that so much of this is fear based. n/t pnwmom Aug 2013 #37
My favorite quote of hers: geek tragedy Aug 2013 #38
I knew she was off right away. Her statement implied the NSA program works! Pholus Aug 2013 #51
C'mon, that was yesterday. What will today's outrage be? FSogol Aug 2013 #52
I don't believe she was intentionally misleading... TeeYiYi Aug 2013 #53
The purpose isn't to pile on. There are a lot of people who believed her pnwmom Aug 2013 #55
why would you refer to her as a hero unless your intenet was to pile on? frylock Aug 2013 #58
Because people were treating her like a whistle blowing hero. pnwmom Aug 2013 #60
I'm sorry to hear this, but she definitely overreached on her assumptions. Baitball Blogger Aug 2013 #54
I'd be very interested to see a single post where this person was lauded as a "hero". Marr Aug 2013 #67
The "woman of spirit" was treated as a whistle-blowing hero and had instant credibility. pnwmom Aug 2013 #68
I'm afraid I've seen your group claim "hero worship" a bit too often recently Marr Aug 2013 #69
I missed this entire dust up! Can you show me any proof that she was called a hero by even one Bluenorthwest Aug 2013 #71
She was lauded as someone providing "proof" that the NSA was targeting pnwmom Aug 2013 #73
And now the walking back begins. The perps and their clan. great white snark Aug 2013 #78
has she been on Shawn Hannity Yet? dem in texas Aug 2013 #79
K & R Scurrilous Aug 2013 #82
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