The Sound of a Tornado - How Bush Could Rebound

[Presstitutes]

Bush is "likable." Bush is "religious." Bush is "resolute." Bush is "plain-spoken." " Al Gore invented the Internet." John Kerry is a "flip-flopper." The media is "liberal."

Through a self-reinforcing loop, the media can turn talking points into accepted, unconsciously-repeated facts. Inject the meme into the national bloodstream, repeat it endlessly, have ordinary citizens repeat it to the press, use these statements from the public as evidence of truth and as a means to convince other members of the public that the talking point is factual. And so on.

Bush's opponents may be lulled into believing that his dismal poll numbers are evidence of his political demise, but Pre$$titutes have perfected the art of inserting pro-Bush and anti-Democratic memes into the public psyche, and that well-honed ability to create and solidify pro-Bush narratives suggests that his political fortunes could turn on a dime.

One of the best illustrations of the power of the media to disseminate memes is the sound of a tornado.

Anyone who has ever seen or heard tornado coverage has heard the invariable eyewitness description: it sounded like a "freight train." Never mind that there are dozens of other ways to depict a loud noise: jet engine, rocket, blast-off, thunder, (non-freight)train, fireworks, explosion, roar, etc.

"Freight train" has simply become the default description. And it demonstrates the power of the media to create Pavlovian responses in ordinary Americans. Why is "freight train" the default response of virtually everyone who is asked to describe their tornado experience? Because the media loop has ingrained it in our heads.

So when this site rails against Pre$$titutes for repeating "Bush stands firm," it is with the understanding that the media loop is cementing that fabricated impression in the American mind.

[Dora]

1. Bush is quavering like a dead weed in a chill autumn wind.

And soon he will break and blow into history, a forgettable dust of ignominy and shame.

Meme that.


added on edit:

BTW: Welcome to DU! Seen ya around, but haven't said hi yet - Hi!

[DivinBreuvage]

5. Fantastically poetic metaphor. Beautiful and very well done. n/t

[Deja Q]

7. As will the rest of us.

[electropop]

2. the problem is, now that the public sees the results of "standing firm"

they're no longer thinking that's a positive trait. all the idiotic catchphrases in the world can't make people forget that our kids are being killed in Iraq, that gas costs $3.00 a gallon, that thousands were needlessly slaughtered in New Orleans, that every top Republican is under criminal investigation, and so on and so on.

Besides, we can play the meme game too;

Culture of corruption
spies and traitors in the white house
the torture president
Karl Rove

See, it's easy!

[Presstitutes]

3. We can only play it insofar as the media will play along

Don't underestimate their ability to pick up on any positive polling trend or event and plat it to Bush's favor. They've done if for five years...

[electropop]

6. if every single Dem face on TV says the same thing in a given week,

we will begin to tap some of the power that Rove has tapped into for years. Sure, it's 3:1 right wingers : sane people on the tube, but our 25% could be much more effective if we'd get our meme game together. It's our message that people are receptive to right now, even if they can only find a little of it on the airwaves.

[Presstitutes]

9. So true

.

[enid602]

4. Bush

There's no doubt that cliches and talking points have fueled the success of the repuke revolution. Still, there comes a time when administration failures become so obvious that there's just no masking them. Coupled with massive corruption and the most dismal fiscal reality, Bush will not be able to pull off a turnaround. Unless, of course he really is the antichrist.

[RagAss]

8. True, those same phrases that once signified strength...

are now used mockingly against him....