Lots of talk these days about tribalism, even in places like Canada. Apparently we’ve changed over the past few years and can no longer communicate. Experts say we’re now different people and it’s all in the brain. What a crock. Here’s what’s happening: US cable news stations are stimulating a fight that makes them a whack of dough and there’s a demographic shift going on that’s bringing lots of new people into politics. Net result: inflamed rookies sitting at the table.
History
Over the years, US news agencies have played with their format. Initially, you got 30 minutes per day from a broadcaster who provided no clue as to how he or she voted. They were professionals. Then in the 80s, the industry adopted the 24/7 option, which worked great for royal weddings and natural disasters. Hello CNN.
Whenever there was a fire or a flood, CNN was there. And they’d stay for days. Half-hour news couldn’t compete and 24/7 cable did well. But this new style had its problems. As soon as the disasters ended, CNN would return to a handful of listeners. Back then viewer mentality was to watch 24-hour news for big events and then jump back to regular TV.
Fox entered the 24/7 scene during the mid-90s. They opted to specialize in political news. Right-wing to be exact. And they flourished. So much so that Microsoft and NBC combined to create an opposition station. So you had Fox News on the right, MSNBC on the left, and CNN in the middle. That was until recently. Today the people at CNN have moved into the one-sided business. They’ve joined MSNBC as the “Fox News of the left” and viewership and ratings now look like this:
Fox = MSNBC + CNN
Many wish they would have told us before making the switch but given the current situation, you can’t blame them. Too much money and the success of reality TV says you have to give the public what it wants. So the numbers at Fox now equal those of the other two combined and the market for bias-based news is expanding. As a result, the polarization everyone is talking about is being caused by the people doing the talking. (Funny, hey?)
Rookies
Now add in a bunch of rookies to the situation. Veteran political-watchers know all about format changes and are aware of WWF-style broadcasting. They checked out long ago. But whether it’s faster internet connections, educated boomers hitting the right age, access to information, the persona of Trump, or people getting smarter, a bunch of new folks are watching the news.
Certainly a positive if you take it as a social step forward (more people care) but nobody told newbies about the rules. As a result, this entertaining trash talk is yielding emotionally charged neighbours just itching to fight. So what’s needed is a basic understanding of how this whole thing works.
Amplify the monster
In the one-sided world, you don’t just casually pick on the other guy. You really let ‘em have it. For example, president Obama wasn’t the son of a Kenyan father, he was a Muslim terrorist who’d sell out the country at the drop of a hat. And billionaire Donald isn’t a businessman with a few economic ideas, he’s a racist slut. That’s how we do it.
Pollsters long ago discovered that toe in observers react strongly to emotion, so they amplify the monster. Cable news is all about brightening the demon so you see only the worst side. And then they jack it up by pounding and pounding, over and over. None of this is reasonable. No serious follower gives any of this credit but it sure is entertaining. And beyond the regular duty of promoting advertisers, WWF is currently upsetting the nation. Rookies don’t yet know how to view bias from both sides, leading to exaggerated beliefs and nasty fights.
And not everyday battles where you walk away thinking me only stupid. Now you’re questioning my ethics. Why? Because the continued pounding permeates your skin and you actually start to believe this stuff. So guess what happens? You tell someone. But if they’re watching the opposite station, you’re starting a fight. The type that cuts deep.
Real News
This demonizing of leaders is readership gold and the American media has never made so much money. Just think, when have you consumed so much news? And lots of nice people are being roped in. But as always, it’s a step towards progress. If you’re interested in US politics, here’s a recommendation:
- PBS – a little left, but you can deal with it. Try Brooks & Shields on Friday nights. David is a nice republican who writes for the New York Times and Mark is a classic (but realistic) democrat.
- Firing Line – also on PBS, is an old conservative show re-imagined by Margaret Hoover. Margaret’s husband is a lefty and the show is well done.
- Face the Nation – CBS’s Sunday morning entry. I find it better than NBC’s Meet the Press and ABC’s George Stephanopoulos. The lady is very professional and remains emotionally uninvolved.
- C-SPAN – the granddaddy of them all. This station has proper interviews with real politicians and is what every news organization watches to get their information.
- And if you really like to read, try Real Clear Politics. It simply lists articles from all over the web, alternating between positive and negative views. Like a neutral player.
Plus don’t forget our Canadian outlets. Can-news is the best news and most providers are top notch. They’re also worthy of your support (i.e., take out a subscription). From the National Post (mostly right), to the Globe and Mail (little right), to CTV’s 24-hour news channel, you always get reliable information. And heck, even the CBC is good (though a little left).
Summary
Canadians are now talking in secrets, like Americans do. And this inability to discuss politics is a violation of intimacy. Not a good thing among friends. The US system is different and that’s why it’s interesting. Down there they argue before passing legislation and representatives often exercise independent vote. Our system goes like this: government decides what it will pass and members vote as they’re told. Efficient yet boring.
Another big word these days is populism. Every election is said to be the result of it. Another term that’s ridiculous. Real populism is when the market changes and providers adapt. Like when we started drinking water, Coke offered Dasani instead. Same goes for the news. When people say enough of this one-sided, reality TV journalism, organizations will react. And when that day comes, the programs and stations listed above will flourish. Buy stock.