Such an excellent article, it reminded me of the many forms of manipulation in Europe during the past years. In fact it’s still going on. It’s all funnelling into the net of the powers that be.
In the mid-late 1980s, our company’s in-house lawyer had been interviewed by what was called the star journalist of a then reputable newspaper. The topic was dealing with major changes in the law.
We had been waiting for the draft but it was coming late and the lawyer had other meetings. When it finally came, I had been asked to review the draft (I had also been working in this topic) for which I was given just a couple of hours. No doubt to prevent re-efiting. There were several major flaws and some outright lies. When I called the journalist to point out that those items were not as discussed, the reply was merely that the government rep had said that their response was the truth, and they would publish it as was.
It created a lot of turmoil. But it did show me how manipulation worked. Nothing surprises me now.
Thank you so much! Once you see behind the curtain and you know what goes in the soup, you never trust it again - and rightly so! Often it takes having an experience like that to open your eyes to it, especially when it's something so broadly culturally accepted that no one questions it and people start to look at you funny if you do. It wouldn't dawn on most people that this is happening or that it is as pervasive as it is. I'm glad you saw it, even if it was a jarring experience to have at the time. xo
My brother was a nuclear engineer. He was brought back to Kansas to run the design team for Kansas' only nuclear power plant. 60 Minutes interviewed him. It was in the 1970s. They completely spliced and diced what little he said when they did not interrupt him. It was what we all know as their complete failure to show any journalistic integrity.
Thanks Demi. I once dated a Miss America finalist in my young—dumb—and full of you-know-what days. She was hot and not the sharpest knife in the drawer. She worked her way from local radio news reader to morning anchor to evening anchor through good looks and a smile. I met several of the news producers at the station—an NBC affiliate in a top 20 market. None of them were smart or critical enough to debate the temperature with. The station was #1 in the Denver market and I knew the dumbshits behind all the news—it was an awakening moment. 🙄
At times, it becomes a strategy of these folks to hire people who, when push comes to shove, are in no danger of connecting the dots in a coloring book. For other positions that require the person is under control, they only hire people on whom they have ample dirt. Mutually assured destruction.
This is just a small little item but I have firsthand reliable information from those who were present that one time when Stevie Wonder walked on stage at the Ford’s theater in Washington DC George W Bush started waving at him. The next moment Laura pushed his hand down and whispered in his ear. George put his hand down and looked embarrassed. It was reported in the media, but later corrected as a lie. If you check out the story you will find fact checkers claim the story to be false. I think Wikipedia even mentions incident.
Wonderful post - the Scary Mary was so telling of the ways in which the very same series of events can get dramatically different treatments. I warned our children early in their schooling to watch not just what they were reading, but pay attention to how it was phrased - could the substitution of a few words, with a different slant but the same basic meaning make a difference? Awareness is the key.
I am deeply impressed by the depth and sincerity represented herein. All pieces worthy of time and consideration.
Perhapa it isn't very welcome, coming from the fringe as I must, yet I truly do wonder if we are dealing, truly dealing with something else.
I tend to view media as a partnership with expectation, and expectation is not something often understood amongst those who operate within it.
All media is best served by an audience that reflects it back, and when I say best served, I mean successful in terms of numbers of viewers AND their participation, which in a sense is approval.
We tend to view this as its own compartment, but for myself I cannot see it as an issue that is separate from any aspect of human endeavor. The relationship of that living person with the bigger picture of life is always onging.
What has changed, I mean really changed in the makeup of people to cause an exponential increase of reactionary, oppressive responses?
I can list any number of changes, but I will leave it others, if they are interested enough to ponder this question.
Haha, I just put out a very similar article where I mentioned the same conversation!
I'm so happy you decided to do this, Demi. These posts are quickly becoming some of my favorite on Substack!
Thank you for doing that!! I'm looking forward to doing these more often - I love the ideas that crop up in discussions like these! :)
Great minds think alike 😉
Hahaha!! :)
Such an excellent article, it reminded me of the many forms of manipulation in Europe during the past years. In fact it’s still going on. It’s all funnelling into the net of the powers that be.
In the mid-late 1980s, our company’s in-house lawyer had been interviewed by what was called the star journalist of a then reputable newspaper. The topic was dealing with major changes in the law.
We had been waiting for the draft but it was coming late and the lawyer had other meetings. When it finally came, I had been asked to review the draft (I had also been working in this topic) for which I was given just a couple of hours. No doubt to prevent re-efiting. There were several major flaws and some outright lies. When I called the journalist to point out that those items were not as discussed, the reply was merely that the government rep had said that their response was the truth, and they would publish it as was.
It created a lot of turmoil. But it did show me how manipulation worked. Nothing surprises me now.
Thank you so much! Once you see behind the curtain and you know what goes in the soup, you never trust it again - and rightly so! Often it takes having an experience like that to open your eyes to it, especially when it's something so broadly culturally accepted that no one questions it and people start to look at you funny if you do. It wouldn't dawn on most people that this is happening or that it is as pervasive as it is. I'm glad you saw it, even if it was a jarring experience to have at the time. xo
xoxo
My brother was a nuclear engineer. He was brought back to Kansas to run the design team for Kansas' only nuclear power plant. 60 Minutes interviewed him. It was in the 1970s. They completely spliced and diced what little he said when they did not interrupt him. It was what we all know as their complete failure to show any journalistic integrity.
It happens constantly. All the time. It's good you know - you can watch with open eyes.
Boom 💥
Thanks Demi. I once dated a Miss America finalist in my young—dumb—and full of you-know-what days. She was hot and not the sharpest knife in the drawer. She worked her way from local radio news reader to morning anchor to evening anchor through good looks and a smile. I met several of the news producers at the station—an NBC affiliate in a top 20 market. None of them were smart or critical enough to debate the temperature with. The station was #1 in the Denver market and I knew the dumbshits behind all the news—it was an awakening moment. 🙄
At times, it becomes a strategy of these folks to hire people who, when push comes to shove, are in no danger of connecting the dots in a coloring book. For other positions that require the person is under control, they only hire people on whom they have ample dirt. Mutually assured destruction.
It is assuredly destructed ☺️
Can we share stories?
Absolutely!!
Thank you! I am so grateful for you and what you do. Know that you are making a difference.
Thank you so much, Simon! That means a lot to me! :)
This is just a small little item but I have firsthand reliable information from those who were present that one time when Stevie Wonder walked on stage at the Ford’s theater in Washington DC George W Bush started waving at him. The next moment Laura pushed his hand down and whispered in his ear. George put his hand down and looked embarrassed. It was reported in the media, but later corrected as a lie. If you check out the story you will find fact checkers claim the story to be false. I think Wikipedia even mentions incident.
🤣🤣🤣
Invisible black magic used to manipulate your essence. 🫥
Crazy stuff
Great wisdom in this exchange
Thank you! 🙏🏻💜💫
An absolutely stellar piece… 🫡
Thank you, Stone!! 🥰
Great article and reminder.
Thanks, Chris! :)
Wonderful post - the Scary Mary was so telling of the ways in which the very same series of events can get dramatically different treatments. I warned our children early in their schooling to watch not just what they were reading, but pay attention to how it was phrased - could the substitution of a few words, with a different slant but the same basic meaning make a difference? Awareness is the key.
I love that you're teaching them that! It makes all the difference in the world!!
This is awesome to see here! You did a great job with the post.
Thank you so much, John!! :)
I am deeply impressed by the depth and sincerity represented herein. All pieces worthy of time and consideration.
Perhapa it isn't very welcome, coming from the fringe as I must, yet I truly do wonder if we are dealing, truly dealing with something else.
I tend to view media as a partnership with expectation, and expectation is not something often understood amongst those who operate within it.
All media is best served by an audience that reflects it back, and when I say best served, I mean successful in terms of numbers of viewers AND their participation, which in a sense is approval.
We tend to view this as its own compartment, but for myself I cannot see it as an issue that is separate from any aspect of human endeavor. The relationship of that living person with the bigger picture of life is always onging.
What has changed, I mean really changed in the makeup of people to cause an exponential increase of reactionary, oppressive responses?
I can list any number of changes, but I will leave it others, if they are interested enough to ponder this question.