General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: An attempted mind fuck ( otherwise known as psyops) [View all]bigtree
(85,984 posts). . . it's ingrained because of our natural need to identify and associate our own views with other coalitions of belief or assertion.
I tend to take a less alarmist view, in that, I see open discussion as the remedy for such coercive attempts to direct thought or opinion. Consider this . . . nothing serves a demagogue more than insular politics. Once you've defined opposing opinions as threatening, or an attack, you're left with your own exclusive bias to defend. Convenient (even correct, perhaps), but, nonetheless, myopic and alienating, in so many ways. That's not a good approach to the discussions here, imo.
I know that many here view this board as activism, itself - and, there's really nothing at all wrong with that, so long as we recognize that it's also a place where we should feel free to sound out differing ideas and opinions in order to further our understanding of issues raised. That's what many of us part-time political watchers use this forum for, I think. That type of loosely dedicated advocacy isn't ideal for determined activists, I understand, but there should be a great deal of room given to feel our way through the information we are bombarded with without fearing that we're choosing sides with every utterance.
As you point out, true operatives play the public from almost every angle. It's been that way long before I was born. I think much of those efforts are overcome by a full dissemination of views; not a select set.
Hope that's more to the point, and less distracting, Nadine.