Are People Really This Stupid These Days?

[Anna B]

2 hours ago, Annie Bynnol said:

Technology and usage patterns has made your definition redundant.

There are far more users of Newspaper websites than readers of actual newspapers.

The majority TV news programmes are accessed through the internet and increasingly though their web site.

 

The original definitions still stand. These focus on the Left (originally) and the Right in politics feeling that their views are  ignored/misinterpreted/swamped/underreported etc. and distrusting the power of establishment.  While age, ethnicity, religion, nationalism etc.,  became increasingly more difficult for the Mass Media to deal with. Mergers and State based media has led to bigger organizations which were subject to increasing legal responsibilities, in particular in the USA. There, local TV and Radio has always had a much bigger audience with far greater competition and dependence on creating and retaining a target audience. Political advertising, controversial arguments and 'shock jockeys' were ways of increasing their profitability. The internet has made broadcasting by any minority far easier.

The amount of material created daily for this audience is huge and there is a constant battle between the boring but accountable MSM outlets and the myriad of little independents.  

This financial model was so successful in the US that it was copied by one of the biggest MSM groups-Fox. Why does it not work here?

 

 

 

 

I'd be interested to see the figures for this. In the world of the baby boomers most of the people I know still access MSM.

I agree with the rest.

But everybody accessing their own version of events is actually divisive, and we see that more and more in society (and on Sheffield Forum!) So isn't there a case for recommending the 'boring but accountable' BBC, the only independent, publicly funded, media outlet, as the most reliable source?  Not perfect by any means, but better than most at least as a starting point.    

[trastrick]

22 minutes ago, Anna B said:

I'd be interested to see the figures for this. In the world of the baby boomers most of the people I know still access MSM.

I agree with the rest.

But everybody accessing their own version of events is actually divisive, and we see that more and more in society (and on Sheffield Forum!) So isn't there a case for recommending the 'boring but accountable' BBC, the only independent, publicly funded, media outlet, as the most reliable source?  Not perfect by any means, but better than most at least as a starting point.    

The BBC have a political dog in the race.

 

They will never be politically neutral, when the Tories are in favour of defunding them, and they'd have to find real jobs in the private sector. 

 

It's just human nature!

[Al Bundy]

The answer is yes.

 

For a general test, next time you get on a plane, just watch the amount of people who struggle to find their seat.

It couldn't be more easier, there is a sign telling you where your seat is, it even has a picture of a little window to help, and not only that, you have a piece of paper with your seat number printed on it!   How hard can it be yet so many are unable to fathom it out?

[Baron99]

Just been watching a story about the current summer temperatures in Europe with Brits interviewed stating "It's just too hot!" 

 

Well even in the average year, that's Spain for you in July & why you've paid thousands of pounds to go there. 

[Al Bundy]

7 minutes ago, Baron99 said:

Just been watching a story about the current summer temperatures in Europe with Brits interviewed stating "It's just too hot!" 

 

Well even in the average year, that's Spain for you in July & why you've paid thousands of pounds to go there. 

In Eastern Europe at the mo near the black sea, roasting already and predicted to go up to 42 today!!

 

[spilldig]

On 10/09/2022 at 18:58, fools said:

It doesn't ask the question "are these people really this stupid?"

 

Having seen the quality of the current crop of media and political talent that invade our airways, it's of no doubt that vast swathes of people with influence are incredibly thick.

 

And then there's the socialists who don't understand how the world works, and are quite happy to display their ignorance to the world ont internet

It seems to me that what is missing a lot of the time is common sense.

[Guest]

Nowt to do with these days.    There have always been some who are stupid and some who are not.

The trouble is,  that many don't know which they are,  and put themselves in the wrong category.

[alchresearch]

In the 1950s - 1970s we were told "By the 21st century we'll be living on the moon and have flying cars"

 

The 21st century:

 

[Al Bundy]

The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.

 

Charles Bukowski.

 

 

[hackey lad]

6 hours ago, Al Bundy said:

The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.

 

Charles Bukowski.

 

 

Some very deep thoughts from Mr Bronson