Hate Sells category archive
“But It’s the Only Possible Explanation” 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Sam Goldstein explores how evolution has predisposed us to be susceptible to conspiracy theories. Given the current state of dis coarse discourse, methinks it a timely and worthwhile read. Here’s a tiny bit:
This creates fertile ground for pseudoscience and conspiracy theories. Considering the role of the “illusion of causality,” where people perceive non-existent causal links, especially in areas like alternative medicine and superstition, is critical (Blanco & Matute, 2018). These illusions persist because they exploit our evolved cognitive tendencies.
The rise of social media further worsens this problem.
All the News That Fits 0
Sam Goldstein, writing at Psychology Today Blogs, looks at how fiction can masquerade as fact. He notes that
He goes on to discuss how this effect also manifests itself in “social” media and “news” coverage.
In this age of mis- and disinformation, his article is well worth a read.
“GOP Jesus” 0
Mrs. Betty Bowers explains the RRV–the Republican Revised Version–of the Bible.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
Seth notes that Donald Trump’s pogrom against immigrants appears to be less popular than he might have expected.
“But It’s One of Them“ 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, psychology professor Todd Nelson considers why persons are so susceptible to prejudice–that is, prejudging others–and offers some suggestions as to how not to fall into the prejudice trap. Given that dis coarse discourse seems flooded by merchants of hate, I found it a timely read.
Here’s a tiny bit:
MAGAttributes 0
David offers a theory to explain Donald Trump’s appeal to his base. Methinks he makes some good points. (Warning: David does a short promo for his book at the end.)
The Middle-East Misdirection Play 0
Kenneth Obel and Jennifer Obel are Jewish parents raising two daughters. From that perspective, they write at the Philadelphia Inquirer about the Trump maladministration’s efforts to dictate to universities what they can and cannot teach.
In particular, they submit that right-wing operatives are disguising efforts to restrict freedom of speech and learning under a cloak of fighting antisemitism. Here’s a tiny bit from their article:
This includes rounding up and incarcerating foreign students and misusing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act to make drastic cuts in federal funding to universities. These actions do not protect Jews — they endanger the very freedoms and institutions that have made Jewish life in America possible.
Their piece is worth the few minutes it takes to read.
A Notion of Immigrants, Catch-22 Dept. 0
He went for a walk, got lost, got arrested by ICE, was incarcerated for over a week, and nearly got deported exiled.
ICE claimed that he did not have “proper immigration documents.”
Not being an immigrant, of course he didn’t.
Catch-22.
It’s the best catch there is.
You can read the full news report here.
(Broken link fixed.)
Real Big Men 0
Emma and the crew discuss the factors that may be feeding toxic masculinity and misogyny that is a trait common to many far-right groups.
Defensive Driving on the Disinformation Superhighway 0
Sam Goldstein, writing at Psychology Today Blogs, offers some tips.
Still Rising Again after All These Years 0
At The Philadelphia Inquirer, Faye Anderson takes issue with Donald Trump’s attempt to white-wash (I use that term advisedly) America’s history. Here’s a tiny bit from her article; follow the link for her reasoning.
What’s in a Name? 0
According to the Republican thought police, a firing offense.
“History Does Not Repeat Itself, but It Often Rhymes”* 0
At The Philadelphia Inquirer, Rann Miller hears a rhyme. A bit of the cadence:
(snip)
What Trump voters, and others, may not realize is that none of this is new, it is part and parcel of the nation’s contract with its people. W.E.B. DuBois, in his opus Black Reconstruction in America, spoke of the racial bribe: the deliberate and strategic method of the planter elite class to extend special privileges to poor whites — particularly in the postbellum South — to drive a wedge between them and formerly enslaved Africans.
_________________
*Mark Twain.
The Politics of Us vs. Them 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Glenn Geher points out that
(t)he current administration uses verbiage that amplifies differences between groups of people.
He goes on to explore the dynamics of xenophobia as a societal and political phenomenon and recommend ways of ameliorating its toxic effects.
I think you will find it a timely read in these hate-full times.
Consider the Source 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Jason Shimiaie reminds that “(g)aslighting is a way of replacing your subjective reality with someone else’s.”
Go read his and consider, does it remind you of anyone in–or of anyone “providing”–the news?
A Notion of Immigrants 0
If you get deported by ICE, you can expect to fly the fiendly skies.
Republican Family Values . . . 0
. . . are a malleable thing.
In a longer piece in which he discusses how the MAGA movement is fed by, and feeds on, white nationalism and racism, Field notes an irony:
I commend the entire article to you attention.