Anger, trolls, and gullibility, oh my!

[grumpyduck]

Are Americans -- okay, fine, people who live in the US regardless of where they come from -- becoming more and more gullible? Is it just a sign of the times, or is it fueled by fear and anger? Or is it fueled by the internet?

I see it right here. Now and then someone makes a statement that gets someone else upset, and the upsettee proceeds to flame the upsetter. And it seems like most of the time the upsettee isn't even responding to the upsetter's comment: he or she is just flaming the writer. I experienced this recently when I wrote a few things that a couple of people here took as divisive, and they even referred to my low post count. Low post count and "I don't like what you said" = troll, right?

But here's the thing; here's why I'm writing this. I've poked around in Conservative Underground a few times (okay, flame away). And what I see there, so often, is the same: flame the poster not the post -- especially in Best of DU/Discussionist, which is a forum dedicated to commenting on posts made here in DU. Makes me wonder if there are actually more trolls (okay, "agitators" ) over there than here.

I see it online. How many pieces have there been about Mueller getting fired? They all say basically the same thing, but they're probably just intended to keep people coming back and getting angry either way (and, of course, looking at the ads).

Pieces about gun control: keep repeating the same thing, but with different headlines, and people will keep coming back to continue getting angry and looking at the ads.

So here are three questions: How many people actually believe all this stuff? Are they just using it to fuel the fear and anger? Are they just the minority we see?

Honestly, sometimes I'd rather be watching those old Looney Tunes cartoons than checking the news. Those made me laugh for a different reason.

Or maybe for the same reason...

[oberliner]

1. The craziest thing is that the word "gullible" isn't in the dictionary

Isn't that weird?

[grumpyduck]

3. Sure it is. I just looked it up.

[Tipperary]

20. Lol.

You just got punked.

[saidsimplesimon]

5. huh, which dictionary?

[grumpyduck]

9. Just typed it in the search box on my screen

Several references came up. Even "gullibility," which I wasn't sure about, showed up.

[oberliner]

10. It's an old joke

Gullible people looking up to see if gullible is in the dictionary.

[grumpyduck]

11. Aw, man, that went right over my head!

D-uhhh!!!

[oberliner]

12. The classics still work once in a while

Glad you got a chuckle out of it!

[saidsimplesimon]

13. me also, just call

me a member of the Jodie Foster "ah tah tah" translators.

[RKP5637]

2. It seems in the US the asshole count has gone up over the years. They were always

there, more today, and more vocal via the internet IMO. Then, we have the hateful media types fueling the flames for profit. And we have people like Rupert Murdoch who makes zillions by promoting hatred and disinformation on Fox News. It seems anything you do, about half the country is going to hate you. It's impossible to get around it. I think there are an enormous number of gullible and naive people in the US and willful ignorance.

[PatSeg]

14. Yes, it does seem like the "count has gone up"

Fox News, reality TV, right-wing radio, and conservative websites have fed them over the past two or three decades and the are multiplying.

I personally know people who were once relatively ordinary. They read newspapers, magazines, and watched the nightly news. They weren't particularly liberal or conservative, more moderate and often apolitical. Somewhere along the way, they got hooked on Fox News and/or right-wing radio. Then they'd go online and find sites that reinforced what they'd heard. It can all be very addictive. In many ways it is like a cult, but on a much larger scale. When you see it happen to people you've known much of, if not all of your life, it is truly horrifying.

[RKP5637]

15. It's sad. I don't know where it ends, what the result will be. It's become a fad/vogue to be

hateful and with the Trump presidency it has been cemented into many peoples minds IMO, and constantly reinforced by hate media sources like Fox News. And, now we have Bolton. I agree so much with everything you said.

[PatSeg]

17. I don't know where it ends either

As long as they get up every morning and turn on Fox News, the brainwashing will become more and more embedded. People with long commutes turn on right-wing radio and become more and more angry. How do you deprogram tens of millions of people?

I have noticed in people I know, that when they go through hard times personally, they are more susceptible to the propaganda. I think they need an outlet for their anger and frustration. Years ago, they would have escaped into soap operas, game shows, or sports, far less addictive or damaging.

Somehow Bolton feels like a pivotal moment, but my paranoia could be out of control.

[RKP5637]

18. "Somehow Bolton feels like a pivotal moment"

I wonder when Alex Jones, his buddy, will be appointed to some position in the WH.

[PatSeg]

22. Oh, for god's sake

That hadn't even dawned on me! Now I'll have nightmares for sure!

[dameatball]

4. Message boards, discussion groups tend to get this way. Various reasons.

The written word can easily be misinterpreted, especially as to its "tone." What may be sarcasm to one may be anger to another. Heck, I have a college football site I go to (my alma mater) and you would think people on there would be on the same side. Most of the time they are, but occasionally feelings get hurt.
It's because all us humans are online sayin stuff.....

[grumpyduck]

7. I totally agree with that

A few years ago I was having a few emails back and forth with my boss's boss. They were short and routine, but after a few exchanges they began to get (to sound) less than friendly. So I said, enough of this, and went over to see her.

Sure enough, she had felt the same way and we agreed that it was just the medium we were using. Then we had a good laugh over it.

[dameatball]

21. Yup....been there.....different boss....:)

[backtoblue]

6. I don't know how we heal from this

The emotions of the people have been/are being exploited by the rich oligarchs who want complete control and destruction of democracy. We have been infiltrated. Targeted ads/information bombarding and exploiting fear, hate, confusion, etc. in order to sell elections, weapons and ideology. We have to fight back with love, compassion, and resolve. We have to prevail.

[RKP5637]

8. Exactly!!! They use divide and conquer psyops techniques. n/t

[yonder]

16. Thank you b2b, well said.

I don't know how we heal either other than by keeping your words in mind, everyday. Our downfall is the infiltration and exploitation by forces largely unseen/unknown, the extent of which remain mostly hidden. We need to respond with knowledge, awareness and our collective heart of humanity. Thanks again.

[RKP5637]

19. I never before realized the extent/depth of powerful forces aligned to bring down the US democracy.

And as you say, mostly hidden.