The Assault On Reason
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
I started reading Al Gore's The Assault On Reason and highly recommend it. The book goes into detail how politician's use fear and propaganda to spread their message. Al talks about how tv has taken away the public square and transformed knowledge of current events into a money race. Yes tv has done a lot for our society but it has also made us lazy and complacent. I am not one of those blow up your tv because I love it just as much as the next person. If I couldn't watch my handful of shows, 24 hour news channels and discovery programs I would not be a happy camper. I do see his point tho, consolidation of stations into fewer and fewer owners increases the chances for propaganda. This goes for papers and radio as well. That is why the internet is so important, its still a free for all and anyone can participate. The entry barriers are very low and anyone can start a discussion.
This morning while on my way to work I heard a great story on NPR. They were talking about the Vast Left Wing Conspiracy and how it has come into bloom. For years the right built think tanks, coalitions and PACs used to lobby congress to pass their agenda. The dems sat on the sidelines and did nothing to counteract the onlslaught of the conservative message. It wasn't until democratic activists stood up and took matters into their own hands. They organized by themselves then brought the politicans in, not the other way around. Either the politicans work with the netroots or they face the consequences. Needless to say, herding democrats is like the EDS cat commerical, its nearly impossible but it can be done. The internet is anarchy with little structure and guidelines. This fits the dems thinking much more than that on the right. Although there is a lack of so called traditional leadership on the net, there are still rules and common decency that is expected to be practiced. The right may own talk radio but the left owns the internet and this is one of the things Al talks about.
If you are a fan of Al Gore or just politics in general, pick up this book you will not be disappointed.
Posted by mardenhill 6/19/2007 10:06:00 PM
