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> "Decades of bull markets, house price increases, a decline in public education, torpedoed communication infrastructure and complicit "independent" media has r
by chiefalchemist 5y ago
> "Decades of bull markets, house price increases, a decline in public education, torpedoed communication infrastructure and complicit "independent" media has resulted in a wealthy, ignorant and complacent society who allow their representatives full control over their lives. It is not that they don't care about these issues, they are not even aware they are issues at all."
This bit - as well as the overall comment in general - describes nearly every Western democracy at this point. Yes, there are variations but the arc is similar overall.
The issues and narratives come down from higher up and are distributed via tightly owned (read: powerful) media conglomerates. It's simply one distraction after another. The collective memory of the masses resembles - pardon the editorial - a gold fish.
The idea that the internet would open hearts and minds has yet to materialize as promised. Perhaps it's time to prepare for the realization that it never will? Or at least stop being so naive as to think that it wouldn't be used against us? Because as it is, it is.
- titzer 5y agoThis is the role of the attention economy. To fill up your face with screens and ads and make you into a good little consumer, fat and happy, an atrophied mind sitting on your duff like a Wall-E passenger, constantly distracted by fads and sucking down liquid shittrition.