"The cult of savvy"

[Bleacher Creature]

This is a really important point, and to make it it three tweets is pretty impressive.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

[marble falls]

1. Non link version ...

Not going to link to that "Biden grieves for his dead son too much" piece, but suffice it to say, there's a world of insight about the mentality of US political journalists in there. The most offensive thing to the cult of savvy isn't lies or criminality, it's *earnestness*.
2:30 PM · Sep 6, 2021·Twitter Web App

2h
Replying to
@drvolts
The existence of people who are in politics because their personal experiences have increased their empathy & they want to improve the public welfare is, in & of itself, damning to the cult of savvy. They must be brought down, must be but-actually'd.
David Roberts
@drvolts
·
2h
If you're openly a lying snake, like Ted Cruz, the press will gleefully report on your savvy maneuvers. ("Will it work?&quot But if you mean it, if you care, if you just want to be truthful & helpful, they will devote themselves to exposing you as a hypocrite or incompetent.

[Moebym]

2. He hit the nail squarely on the head

The political media is gleefully cynical in its approach to reporting. They take pleasure in knocking venerated politicians like Biden down a notch so everyone is at their level, forced to get in the mud with them.

Rumors, innuendo, anonymous sources from inner circles...it's all a reality TV competition to them. The actual work of making the government work for the people is not their concern.

[Bleacher Creature]

4. That's a great point about it being a reality tv show to them.

Which explains exactly what happened in 2016 . . .

[crickets]

5. You've also nailed it. Well said. nt

[Scrivener7]

3. This is epic. I never realized it, but it's absolutely true. I cancelled my Times subscription

over that creepiness.

[maxrandb]

6. It's the cult of money and savvy

I was just commenting to my bride that the politicians won't do a damn thing when millions are suffering and losing their lives due to climate change driven storms...

but, if you want to see politicians and the media move at the speed of light, just wait until they get a call from the insurance company lobbies.

Of course, the move they will make will be to shield those companies and pass the cost onto the most vulnerable.

The news media "brought to you by Allstate and Mutual of Omaha", will go into overdrive to take out politicians that don't toe the company line