So, I'm listening to right-wing radio on the drive in to work, and I have one of those "okay, are you actually that ignorant, or do you just think your audience is?" moments
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As I was typing that entry, I was reminded of a recent meme: "Can't tell if trolling, or just stupid."
And really, that's my typical reaction to the folks on right-wing radio: are you actually that stupid, or do you just expect your audience to be? I've heard hosts play an audio clip of President Obama saying A, then claim he said B, with no equivocation.
Yes, I know, they're clowns. But they're clowns who're taken as serious pundits by a disturbing number of people.
And why do you listen to right-wing radio on your way to work? I might think it was for entertainment, but I did listen to such radio every day one year for Lent as an exercise to try to understand the other side better, and it just made me sad, not entertained. The disconnect is jarring. That's not to say it doesn't happen on the Left -- it does -- but at least when your philosophy requires giving a nod to science and logic, more reality gets through than when your philosophy requires rejecting it.
Well, I confess there's something of a ghoulish fascination at work. Like stopping to stare at a car wreck, I suppose. I could argue that I'm also interested in the "arguments" put forth, especially in an election year, but that's not my only reason for tuning in. It's junk food, and I do try to limit my intake, or at least balance it with a healthy dose of NPR.
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"Can't tell if trolling, or just stupid."
And really, that's my typical reaction to the folks on right-wing radio: are you actually that stupid, or do you just expect your audience to be? I've heard hosts play an audio clip of President Obama saying A, then claim he said B, with no equivocation.
Yes, I know, they're clowns. But they're clowns who're taken as serious pundits by a disturbing number of people.
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