In
this digital age, we all know how to filter through the white noise to find
those stories and events that are important to us, and in less than a blink of
an eye send them off into the nether regions of the internets so that all our
friends on Facebook or our followers on twitter or instagram or Pinterest or where
ever we think that the most people will see that important story reside so that
they will agree with us as to its importance.
For
this to happen, we have to be introduced to said story, and that is where our
internet providers or cable companies come in as they decide what to filter and
what to send to us, the masses, via
the independent messaging systems formally called: the news. It might be yahoo news or msn news or NBC
news or Fox news or any of the thousands of other sources for digital information.
It matters not because once you hit on that link, you can go anywhere that they
want you to go.
They
cut through the white noise using their filter. And, once you are in their
filter, they decide all content. All you have to do is sit down and click. You
get to watch or read or listen to whatever information is provided and
prioritized for you. This includes the advertisements that are picked for your
viewing pleasure.
There
is no thinking. It has all been done for you. No wonder our country is at such
odds with each other. At no time in history have no few controlled the content
for so many. And, it has never been easier to find likeminded individuals to rally
around.
As
good sheep, we go along for the ride. There is pleasure and pain in being directed
to think and feel a certain way. It takes away the pressure of having to do
real research and look for facts on our own. We can find the filters that we
like and use them to find the answers that we are looking for to prove the
theories that we hold so dear.
In
this way, we are always right. We do not have to spend any time worrying about counter-arguments
or different points of view because they are no longer in our field of vision.
They are the white noise that is so irritating and obnoxious. They have no
value as they hold contrary ideas to ours, thus, are not relevant to our world
view.
Ask
the Republican Party how this myopic vision worked in the 2012 Presidential
Election. Let’s just say that they fell flat on their face. This fact in no way
has stopped the Republicans from relying on this constrained, dogmatic
perception as they seek their future political fortunes. In fact, it has only
doubled their efforts to insulate themselves from outside criticisms.
Beyond
politics, what I see from individuals to large groups are people looking for well-suited
ideas to reassure them that they are on the righteous path to Elysium. Many
want to to justify their belief systems in a vain attempt to live out their
virtuous anger or say, “I told you so”. As childish as that may sound.
Many
of you may think that I have some nerve to attack the digital world and all the
members of it. It seems to be rather presumptuous for anyone to speak for the
huddled masses. Too bad. It is all too obvious even to the casual observer.
Start looking through the blogosphere, and see if I am telling the truth on
some level.
This
may all be true, but it is much too simplistic and primitive. I agree and only
wish that I was smart enough to parlay these ideas into a research position in
some think-tank and spout them out to a larger more cantankerous audience and
see the sparks fly.
So,
keep checking out all the people that agree with you, thus, justifying your
position on any issue that matters. You will always be able to validate what
you think and why you are always correct. This corroboration is extremely
important in this age of cooperation and consensus building. Remember, you must
cut through the white noise at all cost. It is your opinion that matters.
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