Our entertainment industry is based on the assumption that we can put our beliefs about reality on hold and enjoy stories about magical children, kick-boxing hotties, futuristic technologies, or true love in 10 episodes or less.
How does this apply to politics? More below.
I think the same has been applied to political speech. A fair number of people want to believe the war is justified, so they choose to believe what the Administration says about it. Some people want to believe that the Administration is acting in their best interests, so regardless of the actions of the administration time and time again favoring the interests of corporate donors...
You get my drift. I think part of this is because the lines between entertainment and news have been irrevocably blurred. What are the facts? Do we suspend disbelief and take a "morninng in America" view of things, or do we live in a more reality-based world?
This community focuses on reality. If the other guys are corrupt, we want 'em out. If our guys are corrupt, we want 'em out.
But how can reality compete with infotainment? Is reality as attractive as a pretty lie (or a bundle of lies that reinforce existing prejudices)?
I'm not sure what the answers are, but it's all been on my mind this morning, and I thought I'd share it with you.