| How CNN Makes Me Dumber |
[Mar. 26th, 2008|11:55 am] |
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I should also note that it isn't just CNN, but MSNBC, FOX and other networks also; it's just that I find CNN's website easier to navigate.
This is the first presidential election that I have been following with great interest. I have read up on the issues, the stances, the policies, etc. I wish I could say the same for my fellow Americans.
CNN has a "Political Ticker," which lists brief abstracts of events concerning the presidential candidates. I know that the news networks have biases toward specific political parties and/or candidates (in CNN's case, they focus a lot on Obama). Being an educated citizen, I am able to read past the bias and generate an understanding of what is actually going on in the race for presidency. The easiest way of doing this is to (mostly) ignore the articles about mudslinging, name calling, and personal attacks. When the race is over and the president is elected, that won't matter anymore; only the issues will remain. That's why that is what people need to focus on during this race.
Now, if you go to the comments section of these articles, you will find some of the most unintelligent, unconvincing vocal diarrhea ever produced from a person. These comments are moderated for approval by CNN as well before being posted so that no scum is plastered all about the site. Unfortunately, the comments that are posted are the cream of the crop, which doesn't bode well for the intellect of our nation.
There are some comments that are posted that give me hope; comments that do focus on the important issues, constructively critique the candidates, and make sound opinions based on facts and research.
I will admit I am a supporter for Obama, but there are bad apples in both camps, just more so in the Clinton camp. On average (and I did the math), about 80% of the pro-Hillary comments are not in support of Hillary, but are an attack on Obama. I say attack meaning CAPS LOCK, multiple !!!!!!, name calling, and perpetuating rumors that have long been disproved. only about a fifth of the pro-Hillary comments laud her for her policies, stances, etc. For the pro-Barack comments, the figures are flipped, with about a fifth resorting to dim remarks and the rest heralding the issues at stake. I haven't looked at McCain because of the few articles that do include him, usually include something about the Democrats, so the Democratic supporters team up and bash him.
I find it astounding that with technology and communications as it is (with America being a leader in both), Americans are just dumb. The news is not responsible for the development of critical thinking and reasoning, but it brings about the information for people to test their ability to understand it and formulate educated opinions. Because of the class system we live in (thanks to capitalism), many Americans are ignorant by choice (well-to-do folk that couldn't are less) or ignorant by force (those unable to become educated due to socioeconomic status). The few Americans that do have the ability to understand and interpret this information are those who are well-off enough to garner a good education growing up, or the very well to do that use their knowledge to manipulate the system for their benefit.
I'm not sure what the answer is to this situation. both educating all Americans and developing a sense of urgency toward our government is something that will take a very long time, and even then may never be close to perfect. I guess what needs to be done is for the news to report the important issues and for politicians to focus on their issues. Limiting these base attacks will lead to fewer Americans getting riled up about politics, which will lead to a more intelligent nation.
In conclusion, don't read people's comments on articles about political happenings unless you are prepared to deal with a lot of bullshit. |
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| Comments: |
Yeah, I've forced myself to stop reading the comments on CNN. Many of the comments are not only myopic, but oftentimes bigoted and mean spirited.
HILARY or OBAMA '08!!! (LOL)
Weblog commentary in general has hit an all-time low. Why do people do it?
Er.... oh, whoops, I'm doing it right now.
I'm talking about the idiots though. The ones who like to make up their mind on an issue before researching it. They'd rather type a cuss word in all caps with twenty exclamation points. They care more about having people react than making a constructive contribution to the discourse.
Steve, even though this entry was dense and very philosophical, it probably will get a Frankie Nomination just because it stubbornly goes against the grain by using blogging for the purpose of thought. | |
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