4 ms·

15-16 Billion was spent this cycle according to public data. They talk about the donors a lot. But they hardly tell anyone the biggest beneficiary is the Media.

by cen4 2y ago

15-16 Billion was spent this cycle according to public data. They talk about the donors a lot. But they hardly tell anyone the biggest beneficiary is the Media. This year we also had the EU, Indian, UK and French elections and the total cost was less than 2 Billion. So the big underlying question is what are Americans even getting out of all that spending? Better quality journos? Better quality politicians? Or just better spin doctors, consultants, fund raisers, talking heads?

mysterydip 2y ago
As an American who was bombarded daily with calls, texts, ads, and mail, all it did was annoy me and want to vote for the other person.
tfandango 2y ago
I received a lot of anxiety personally; it was difficult to disengage from. I even did not like the outcome but sense some sort of peace anyway, I think, due to just being able to carry on with life for a little while longer.
- cen4 2y ago
  That is key. You got to stay busy with other real world stuff. Otherwise the media vortex will suck you in. Just try to be conscious of how much Media you consume daily. And then slowly reduce it/switch it with stuff that adds Value to your life. The whole machinery, thanks to the amount of cash pouring in, has gone off the rails in terms of, no limit exploitation of people's fears. Shows what power the media as a whole has on people's well being.
  - tfandango 2y ago
    Thanks, I've been ignoring it since, for the most part, except for a few things just to be aware. I've been studying concepts more deeply now, no more info from tweets: "tariffs good" or "tariffs bad". I appricate your response, don't know if you will see this. On one hand I like HN because comments do not turn into fights, but on the other hand, I check the comments every few weeks and I miss stuff like this. Best.
xnx 2y ago
This is hugely important to understand. Attention brokers biggest vested interest is in keeping the race close.

by cen4 2y ago

mysterydip 2y ago

As an American who was bombarded daily with calls, texts, ads, and mail, all it did was annoy me and want to vote for the other person.

tfandango 2y ago

I received a lot of anxiety personally; it was difficult to disengage from. I even did not like the outcome but sense some sort of peace anyway, I think, due to just being able to carry on with life for a little while longer.

cen4 2y ago
That is key. You got to stay busy with other real world stuff. Otherwise the media vortex will suck you in. Just try to be conscious of how much Media you consume daily. And then slowly reduce it/switch it with stuff that adds Value to your life. The whole machinery, thanks to the amount of cash pouring in, has gone off the rails in terms of, no limit exploitation of people's fears. Shows what power the media as a whole has on people's well being.
- tfandango 2y ago
  Thanks, I've been ignoring it since, for the most part, except for a few things just to be aware. I've been studying concepts more deeply now, no more info from tweets: "tariffs good" or "tariffs bad". I appricate your response, don't know if you will see this. On one hand I like HN because comments do not turn into fights, but on the other hand, I check the comments every few weeks and I miss stuff like this. Best.

xnx 2y ago

This is hugely important to understand. Attention brokers biggest vested interest is in keeping the race close.