“Blink”, a book about our first gut
level response, the first impression we have to information. I liked most of the
book, but did not agree with all. I had found, (through an unforgiving real
life education) that careful consideration was the best approach to problem
solving. When faced with a broken car engine my first impression often turned
out to be wishful thinking. When faced with a flat tire my first impression was
usually correct. I learned to take my first impression and test it. I am prepared
to abandon my first impression it the face of facts.
Listening to much of the talking
points marched about on the cable entertainment news programs, my first
impression is, “Well... That’s crazy”. (I should note that I am more likely to
watch the science channels than Fox News, however, the repetition of talking
points means that I can get the entire week’s worth of reporting in 30 minutes.)
This is a case of the flat tire, the first impression will prove correct.
A News organization chasing profit
by sensationalizing emotional facts (usually false facts) is an old tradition.
The Spanish-American War in 1898 resulted from William Randolph Hearst’s (the
Rupert Murdoch of his day) desire for increased profit from newspaper sales.
This profit motive fit with Congressional desire for expansionist imperialism, a
case of power and money working seamlessly for the advancement of each. Incidentally,
we also got national attention of Teddy Roosevelt leading the Rough Riders up
San Juan Hill and then on to the presidency. Expecting truth and honesty from
any news organization is wishful thinking. Reporting about crazy is a good
business plan.
When Power pushes crazy it is
counter-revolutionary, Power wishes to maintain Power, when Power is based on
atrocious morals and outdated structures, then crazy is used to protect and preserve that Power.
In the antebellum south (before the Civil War), Power had a problem. Slavery
was a financial benefit to a very small portion of the population. The average
Southern had a hard time understanding why they should fight a war for slavery
(The middle class had yet to be invented, that would have to wait for FDR, in
the antebellum South you were either rich or poor). The common saying was, “A
rich man’s war, a poor man’s fight”. The 1% of their day created a crazy argument,
the destruction of the plantation owner would cause greater harm to the poor
and to the slaves (Essentially the same as today’s Job Creator argument). A false argument
on its face and in detail, this case was dressed up with emotional appeal (the honor of a poor dirt farmer was threatened), and sensational
claims (Abe Lincoln was the grandchild of a black slave). That barely worked and
the Southern government had to institute conscription. Power will use crazy to
protect its power.
The next time you think, “Well...
That’s crazy”, you are probably right.
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