A Challenge for AT P&N Readers

[cwjerome]

Originally posted by: Fern

Originally posted by: cwjerome
-snip-
No, the problem is you think good, meaningful knowledge and discussion can come from watching 5 hours (or whatever) of partisan TV infotainment. Seriously, has this stuff replaced the scholarly pursuit of historical and philosophical meaning?

Yes, it can.

I often hear of bills, policy changes etc that I never see in print

While the Olbermann-style partisanship cheerleading rarely results in any nuggets of true info, other shows like Matthews do.

Newspapers have been getting lamer and lamer, and with their reductions in staff less-and-less is getting covered. And it seems what does invariably has bias.

So, I think there is merit in watching the news and in watching different news broadcasts. I vividly recall watching the news in the days before cable. What stands out so vividly were broadcasts about Bernard Getz (he shot some gangster type thugs that attacked him on the NY subway).

[...]

Fern

I'm not saying there's no merit to staying informed. But anyone can do that... and most people think it's a short-cut to actual reason.

I disagree in a more meaningful sense. The context I'm relating this to is understanding, in a fundamental manner. Most people go about their lives without a serious thought to their method of thought or deeper understanding. They have chaotic patchwork of false premises, skewed conclusions, slogans, talking points, and a motley collection of doubts and fears to tie it all together. It's a worldview of automatic responses, chance, whim, random blurbs and intellectual oxymorons. They DO NOT have true, congruent, comprehensive view of life (and these are the smart ones).

Watching news may help make you informed but it will not make you logical, wise, or intellectually coherent. I would recommend to most people to "detach" from current events and day to day politics and start reading a lot of history and philosophy. Then do a lot of introspection and inquiry. Then find other people doing this and have studious discussions.

This will make you more complete, more content, and much more powerful in your ideas... and you'll be surprised at how superficial and irrational the partisan minions brainlessly parroting their propaganda look.

My 2 cents...

 

[biostud]

*crickets*

 

[craftech]

Originally posted by: cubby1223
Now I'm sure this thread may be locked for not linking an article, but let's see if it can stand. Pretty please mods? I'll be good, I promise

I propose a challenge to everyone who reads AT P&N.

For the period of one week, watch Hardball with Chris Mathews, The O'Reilly Factor, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Hannity's America, and The Rachel Maddow Show.

That's all that is required. And with these shows repeating nightly, it's easy to fit them all in.

Then come back in one week, and see who amongst us:

(1) took on this challenge in good faith
(2) disregarded this as pointless
(3) urged others against this challenge
(4) locked this thread
(5) deleted this thread

People on the left, listen to both sides.
People on the right, listen to both sides.

Do not accept the right's view of the left, and do not accept the left's view of the right. Go directly to some of the sources for a period of just one week.

It's obvious that you are a victim of the Pavlovian training of those networks in that you have grouped the average citizen into Left and Right instead of where most of them identify themselves - in the middle (the intentionally forgotten group). This is further proof of what it is that the rest of the world laughs at when they use the appropriate phrase - "Dumb American".

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: AAjax

Originally posted by: Hayabusa Rider
I don't watch television

+1

add another. I only get 3 channels. I don't give a flying fuck what these people say on their polictical shows because 99% is BS, just liek the nightly news or any other news source. All the facts are grabbed then shaken up and spewed how they want you to interpret them.

I look at voting record and past stances to see where what coincides. That must be why I hang out in the middle. There isn't a single party out there that satisfies me.