4 ms·

I have asked no less than 10 people why they listen to talk radio when it is clearly propaganda. The response is strangely always almost verbatim "I like to st

by Ccecil 10y ago

I have asked no less than 10 people why they listen to talk radio when it is clearly propaganda. The response is strangely always almost verbatim "I like to stay informed". It amazes me that they always say the same thing in response. I have found a similar thing when I mention I have no Facebook account...the response is almost always "I just like to keep in touch with people"...but they never seem to point out these are typically people that they stopped talking to years back for a reason. Has this person called you in the last 10 years? When was the last time you actually saw them in person? Whenever I get the exact same response from multiple people I start to question the role of social media and "news" in brainwashing of the masses.

edanm 10y ago
I have lots of family that I am not in daily contact with. I still like to see pictures of them and know what's going on in their lives. Same goes for some friends that I'm not in active contact with. You can disagree with how other people conduct their lives, but I'd be careful to conclude it's "brainwashing".
- Ccecil 10y ago
  When was the last time you just called one of them? Or stopped by for a visit? I apologize if I upset you by implying mass brainwashing...I just find it odd that many share the same reasoning. In my personal opinion...social media furthers the disconnect from actual relationships and creates imaginary ones that are based on reading posts and looking at pictures but you never really get to see the real person.
  - edanm 10y ago
    And in my personal opinion, social media allows me to be almost 100% more in touch with my family that lives on the other side of the globe, who I would probably barely think about if it wasn't for Facebook. Personally, I find this a good thing. In the counterfactual world in which FB didn't exist, I would have zero contact with them - now I have some. I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong, everyone can make their own choice about what's better for them. I'm just saying: 1. It's a huge leap to go from "many people disagree with me" to "may people are brainwashed". Note that tons of the HN population share your views, but I never said I think you are all brainwashed, and I think it would be pretty silly to say so. 2. Saying that social media furthers the disconnect from actual relationships is a pretty big statement, and without real proof it's mostly anecdotal. Everyone has opinions on what is good or not, worthy or not, moral or not, etc - I really think more people should just trust that others know what they're doing. If people use FB and say why they use FB, it's not a 100% certainty that they're right, but give people the benefit of the doubt regarding their own choices! 3. Most people share the same reasoning on why balls fall to the floor when released from the hand. That's not a weird thing - it's because gravity is real. Btw, I'm not upset at all, just disagree :)
    - Ccecil 10y ago
      Lol...I get everything except the balls thing. But anyways...no problem. Do as you please. Not saying it is wrong to disagree with me...just saying that there is a common theme in responses...which makes me concerned. I wasn't intending to put down those who use social media. Just stating 2 cases where I see a near verbatim response from multiple people in different locations and times. It brings out my paranoia that their response is "scripted" in some way. Not saying I am correct in any way...just a concern I have.
whamlastxmas 10y ago
I am as anti-Facebook as they come while still using Facebook. I care about people in my past even if I haven't talked to them in ten years. I am curious what they are up to, and it makes me happy to see people from my past living happy lives. Being connected to people is a positive feature in my life, even if it comes at the expense of privacy. Social media is what you make of it. If the beginning and end of your exposure to current events, politics, and information is Facebook, then yes, there's likely to be some uninformed opinions being created.
gozur88 10y ago
>I have asked no less than 10 people why they listen to talk radio when it is clearly propaganda. The response is strangely always almost verbatim "I like to stay informed". I have the same experience when I ask people why they read The New York Times.

by Ccecil 10y ago

edanm 10y ago

I have lots of family that I am not in daily contact with. I still like to see pictures of them and know what's going on in their lives. Same goes for some friends that I'm not in active contact with. You can disagree with how other people conduct their lives, but I'd be careful to conclude it's "brainwashing".

Ccecil 10y ago
When was the last time you just called one of them? Or stopped by for a visit? I apologize if I upset you by implying mass brainwashing...I just find it odd that many share the same reasoning. In my personal opinion...social media furthers the disconnect from actual relationships and creates imaginary ones that are based on reading posts and looking at pictures but you never really get to see the real person.
- edanm 10y ago
  And in my personal opinion, social media allows me to be almost 100% more in touch with my family that lives on the other side of the globe, who I would probably barely think about if it wasn't for Facebook. Personally, I find this a good thing. In the counterfactual world in which FB didn't exist, I would have zero contact with them - now I have some. I'm not saying I'm right and you're wrong, everyone can make their own choice about what's better for them. I'm just saying: 1. It's a huge leap to go from "many people disagree with me" to "may people are brainwashed". Note that tons of the HN population share your views, but I never said I think you are all brainwashed, and I think it would be pretty silly to say so. 2. Saying that social media furthers the disconnect from actual relationships is a pretty big statement, and without real proof it's mostly anecdotal. Everyone has opinions on what is good or not, worthy or not, moral or not, etc - I really think more people should just trust that others know what they're doing. If people use FB and say why they use FB, it's not a 100% certainty that they're right, but give people the benefit of the doubt regarding their own choices! 3. Most people share the same reasoning on why balls fall to the floor when released from the hand. That's not a weird thing - it's because gravity is real. Btw, I'm not upset at all, just disagree :)
  - Ccecil 10y ago
    Lol...I get everything except the balls thing. But anyways...no problem. Do as you please. Not saying it is wrong to disagree with me...just saying that there is a common theme in responses...which makes me concerned. I wasn't intending to put down those who use social media. Just stating 2 cases where I see a near verbatim response from multiple people in different locations and times. It brings out my paranoia that their response is "scripted" in some way. Not saying I am correct in any way...just a concern I have.

whamlastxmas 10y ago

I am as anti-Facebook as they come while still using Facebook. I care about people in my past even if I haven't talked to them in ten years. I am curious what they are up to, and it makes me happy to see people from my past living happy lives. Being connected to people is a positive feature in my life, even if it comes at the expense of privacy. Social media is what you make of it. If the beginning and end of your exposure to current events, politics, and information is Facebook, then yes, there's likely to be some uninformed opinions being created.

gozur88 10y ago

>I have asked no less than 10 people why they listen to talk radio when it is clearly propaganda. The response is strangely always almost verbatim "I like to stay informed". I have the same experience when I ask people why they read The New York Times.