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talkpoliticsI've noticed that most people tend to believe that political ads, or bias in news coverage can't have an effect their personal views. I even sometimes think so myself, it is comforting to imagine that no matter how slanted the coverage, no matter how disproportionally importance is given to events of little consequence, while more essential issues are never openly discussed, I can "see through all of that" -- and watch and read news stories with enough detachment to glen the bits of truth and assemble my own (presumably more correct) understanding of events.
But, in fact, this is only so much wishful thinking. Repeated exposure to ideas will cause those ideas to seem more reasonable. Political ads do influence who people vote for-- and not just because people are paying attention to the facts-- but, it's the subtext, the use of images, the feelings that the ads evoke-- these things have an impact. And maybe it is easier to assume they have an impact only on "other people" -- people who are too busy or dull and uninterested to dissect media. But, I think it's naive to assume that.
I've noticed that advertising has a big impact on me. And when I limit my exposure to advertisements I end up spending much less money. Political ideas and questions like "who to vote for" -- can certainly work in the same way.
Short of living in a cave, though, there is little to be done about it. I did stop watching TV since I felt that moving images could have more of an emotional impact and I feel more detached and objective when I read. Ever since I stopped watching TV 12 years ago, my political views began to shift and mature. When I do watch TV (on rare occasions, such as visiting home) I have trouble identifying with any of the opinions presented, this was not the case before I stopped -- I have similar trouble with print media-- thought it is easier to simply stop reading and article-- when there is some kind of news show with presumably diverse guests I'm tempted to wait for someone to voice an opinion I agree with. In most cases it's best to leave the room and not bother waiting since that opinion won't come. And with print media and the internet one can find a far more diverse collection of opinions than you would ever see on TV.
This is (one of a few dozen reasons*) why I avoid TV. Also, it is so much easier to read something I disagree with strongly than to hear it spoken. So by reading I can take in more view points and I feel the presentation of issues is less emotionally wrought.
Do you think some types of news delivery are easier to take in when trying to avoid emotional manipulation?
* I don't really think not watching TV makes you better-- in many cases I totally miss what's going on since I don't know cultural references. Nor am i more productive or anything-- the internet can be just as much of a mind numbing time suck as TV.
But, in fact, this is only so much wishful thinking. Repeated exposure to ideas will cause those ideas to seem more reasonable. Political ads do influence who people vote for-- and not just because people are paying attention to the facts-- but, it's the subtext, the use of images, the feelings that the ads evoke-- these things have an impact. And maybe it is easier to assume they have an impact only on "other people" -- people who are too busy or dull and uninterested to dissect media. But, I think it's naive to assume that.
I've noticed that advertising has a big impact on me. And when I limit my exposure to advertisements I end up spending much less money. Political ideas and questions like "who to vote for" -- can certainly work in the same way.
Short of living in a cave, though, there is little to be done about it. I did stop watching TV since I felt that moving images could have more of an emotional impact and I feel more detached and objective when I read. Ever since I stopped watching TV 12 years ago, my political views began to shift and mature. When I do watch TV (on rare occasions, such as visiting home) I have trouble identifying with any of the opinions presented, this was not the case before I stopped -- I have similar trouble with print media-- thought it is easier to simply stop reading and article-- when there is some kind of news show with presumably diverse guests I'm tempted to wait for someone to voice an opinion I agree with. In most cases it's best to leave the room and not bother waiting since that opinion won't come. And with print media and the internet one can find a far more diverse collection of opinions than you would ever see on TV.
This is (one of a few dozen reasons*) why I avoid TV. Also, it is so much easier to read something I disagree with strongly than to hear it spoken. So by reading I can take in more view points and I feel the presentation of issues is less emotionally wrought.
Do you think some types of news delivery are easier to take in when trying to avoid emotional manipulation?
* I don't really think not watching TV makes you better-- in many cases I totally miss what's going on since I don't know cultural references. Nor am i more productive or anything-- the internet can be just as much of a mind numbing time suck as TV.
(no subject)
Date: 6/5/10 22:49 (UTC)