It’s All about the Algorithm 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Alain Samson takes a deep dive into how and why “clickbait” works, noting, among other things, that it
. . . exploits cognitive and emotional traits, triggering impulsive clicks
I must warn you that it’s not the best-written piece, but I think it still worth at least a skim. It might help you protect yourself against the nattering nabobs of nonsense trying to suck(er) you down their rabbit holes of rubbish.
The Privatization Scam 0
The Arizona Republic’s E. J. Montini finds himself disgusted, but not surprised, at the money grab.
Our Trumpled Polity 0
Thom runs the numbers that show that, since Donald Trump entered the political scene in 2015, hate crimes have escalated dramatically.
Thom also notes that “hate is a cheap effective political weapon” and warns not to be taken in by it.
The Climates They Are a-Changing . . . 0
. . . and some of the (possible) side effects may be–er–somewhat disconcerting.
Republican Thought Police 0
At the San Francisco Chronicle, author Seema Yasmin points out that there has been a rise in “soft” book bans, that is, book bans that go on in the absence of any stated rules. The public doesn’t hear of them, but they’re there.
A snippet:
“Values Voters” 0
Mangy argues that Donald Trump truly represents the essence of today’s Republican Party.
Devolution 0
At the Las Vegas Sun, Darryl Cornelius describes a descent.
Market Farces 0
Farron points out that Trump’s “Truth Social” is tanking in the stock marked.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
When I was learning how to handle a gun, it was drilled into me to always assume a gun is loaded unless I verified for myself that it was not.
I guess this guy missed that part of the lesson.
Guns and stupid, guns and stupid.
They go together like love and Cupid.
Let me tell you brother,
You can’t have one without the other.
The Establishmentarian Indoctrination Initiative 0
Thom debunks de bunk.
A Notion of Immigrants 0
Steve M. looks at the reaction of Fox News hosts to Donald Trump’s suggestion that immigrants sbe used as modern-day gladiators for the entertainment of the masses. He suggests that (emphasis added):
Methinks Steve M. is onto something. Follow the link for the rest.
Afterthought:
I think it telling that, in ancient Rome, gladiators were slaves, and, for all practical purposes, this too would be enslavement–another reason why the Party of the New Secesh would not find this notion objectionable.