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phylny

(8,353 posts)
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:00 AM Jun 2016

Am I as brainwashed as they are?

I hate Republicans. I hate the party, I hate the lawmakers, I hate Fox News. I hate them. I don't think my hate transfers down to ordinary people, but it might. I know a lot of Republicans - some of them in my own extended family - and I don't personally hate them, but I hate their beliefs and what they are doing and have already done to this country with their votes.

Here's where I question myself: I drive around all day in my car for work and listen to SiriusXM Progress throughout the day. I start with Ari Rabin-Havt, who I can deal with in small doses, then Stephanie Miller, again, small doses. Thom Hartmann starts the highlight of my radio listening day, and the cherry on top is Michelangelo Signorile. My beliefs mirror theirs 99% of the time. I like to think that Progressive radio hosts, and I, form opinion based in fact.

But am I wrong? Am I just as brainwashed listening to these shows as the right wing is with their hate radio?

23 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Am I as brainwashed as they are? (Original Post) phylny Jun 2016 OP
Yes you are brainwashed, but to the good side padfun Jun 2016 #1
Yes, but some are more brainwashed than others. cali Jun 2016 #9
You can overdo anything. Immersing yourself Hortensis Jun 2016 #19
Yes you are Lurks Often Jun 2016 #2
I've said many time, that if I agree 100% with a person, that person is nuts. tonyt53 Jun 2016 #5
What about 99%? ;) n/t phylny Jun 2016 #7
We should all be willing to question our own ideas as vigorously as we protest right wing ideology. Agnosticsherbet Jun 2016 #3
No, you just seek input that confirms your biases NightWatcher Jun 2016 #4
What I listen to doesn't change my opinions. phylny Jun 2016 #6
Nah, you're not brainwashed NightWatcher Jun 2016 #12
If we consistently apply the same critical standards to that which we support as well as that which LanternWaste Jun 2016 #8
.+1 840high Jun 2016 #13
If we did that, we wouldn't be, but I would not believe anyone who claimed to. Donald Ian Rankin Jun 2016 #18
If you question yourself, you aren't brainwashed n/t Matrosov Jun 2016 #10
+1 uponit7771 Jun 2016 #15
maybe, but do you check the sources of the news and facts that you believe? Javaman Jun 2016 #11
It depends on how you use the information. Oneironaut Jun 2016 #14
+1, which raises the question are conservatives just mentally lazy? It takes more work to uponit7771 Jun 2016 #16
I listen to FAUX news for about a total of an hour a week to at least see what their stupid argument uponit7771 Jun 2016 #17
I've pondered this question for some years. LWolf Jun 2016 #20
I think the fact that you asked the question signals that the anwer is "no." johnp3907 Jun 2016 #21
That depends ismnotwasm Jun 2016 #22
It's not "brainwashing"; it's having a conscience & a soul. baldguy Jun 2016 #23

padfun

(1,780 posts)
1. Yes you are brainwashed, but to the good side
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:09 AM
Jun 2016

We are ALL brainwashed, starting in our schools learning history and anthropology that just doesn't fit any evidence.

At least your brainwashing is for the good of the people.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
9. Yes, but some are more brainwashed than others.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:45 AM
Jun 2016

I don't think there is any such thing as "good" brainwashing. It's an oxymoron.

Hortensis

(58,785 posts)
19. You can overdo anything. Immersing yourself
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 06:02 PM
Jun 2016

in any one group-think strengthens it, and immersion has nothing at all to do with seeking truth, but with self indulgence. Which you know because you're asking this question. Also you're using the word "hate" broadly.

It sounds to me like the Kool-Aid may be taking effect, though psychologists use other words to describe this very common phenomenon. Time to back off a bit and broaden your exposure while you are still asking questions like this.

 

Lurks Often

(5,455 posts)
2. Yes you are
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:13 AM
Jun 2016

Anyone who is unwilling to examine differing points of view or accept the possibility that they might be wrong about something has been brainwashed.

 

tonyt53

(5,737 posts)
5. I've said many time, that if I agree 100% with a person, that person is nuts.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:29 AM
Jun 2016

I agree with your assessment.

Agnosticsherbet

(11,619 posts)
3. We should all be willing to question our own ideas as vigorously as we protest right wing ideology.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:13 AM
Jun 2016

I would not call it brainwashed, but I think we all wear shades that color the world in ways that please our ideological leanings.

NightWatcher

(39,343 posts)
4. No, you just seek input that confirms your biases
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:28 AM
Jun 2016

You want to hear things that you agree with, and there's nothing wrong with that.

Does what you listen to change your opinions?

phylny

(8,353 posts)
6. What I listen to doesn't change my opinions.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:41 AM
Jun 2016

I've always been a bleeding-heart liberal. What I listen to informs me. It helps me learn facts I didn't know so that I can better defend my beliefs when they are questioned.

For instance, a neighbor of mine will vote for Trump because "he'll solve our illegal immigration problem." From what I have learned from, for example, Thom Hartmann is that more immigrants have left the U.S. than have come in during Obama's terms because there are fewer jobs.

I've learned that Hillary Clinton isn't the first Secretary of State to use a private server.

I've also heard discussion on the second amendment and how other amendments also have restrictions.

I suppose I want to hear what I agree with, but I also search out factual information. So maybe I'm brainwashed after all

 

LanternWaste

(37,748 posts)
8. If we consistently apply the same critical standards to that which we support as well as that which
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:44 AM
Jun 2016

If we consistently apply the same critical standards to that which we support as well as that which we oppose, we are by definition, not brainwashed, regardless of what we may find more entertaining, listenable or palatable.

Donald Ian Rankin

(13,598 posts)
18. If we did that, we wouldn't be, but I would not believe anyone who claimed to.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 05:57 PM
Jun 2016

Moreover, I would laugh at them, and mark them down as being likely to be harboring stronger and more harmful cognitive biases than people who are more aware of their own imperfections.

Javaman

(62,442 posts)
11. maybe, but do you check the sources of the news and facts that you believe?
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 11:55 AM
Jun 2016

or do you take them at face value?

repukes take things at face value.

if you do to then you are equally as brainwashed, if you use critical thought and investigate the source of the material, then you are not brainwashed but actually want to know the real facts.

Oneironaut

(5,462 posts)
14. It depends on how you use the information.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 01:57 PM
Jun 2016

Do you accept what is said unquestioningly and use it to determine what your opinion should be, or do you acknowledge that they could be wrong and you should do your own research as well? I've heard things from Democrats that are just plain wrong and are easily debunked with one minute of research.

The bottom line is, treat the radio as only one source of information and do your own research from independent sources. Most of the media calls itself "entertainment," which leads them to believe that they can stretch the truth or embellish it into something more "interesting."

uponit7771

(90,225 posts)
16. +1, which raises the question are conservatives just mentally lazy? It takes more work to
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 01:59 PM
Jun 2016

... confirm sources and stories etal

uponit7771

(90,225 posts)
17. I listen to FAUX news for about a total of an hour a week to at least see what their stupid argument
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 03:52 PM
Jun 2016

... arguments are and just like a broke clock one or two of their positions might have merit.

LWolf

(46,179 posts)
20. I've pondered this question for some years.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 06:02 PM
Jun 2016

I've observed "my" side, and I've seen many of the same knee-jerk reactions, the same repeating of slogans about issues, and, often, the same rationalizing process when a Democrat doesn't do what would be expected in support of an issue.

Part of my observation has been to note the constant mantra of media, and the dangers of right-wing radio and tv, while "my" side is just as dependent, and just as needy when it comes to needing someone on the airwaves to justify a position.

I note this from the outside, because I've never really tuned in to political talk radio/tv. I have, though, seen, here at DU from the very beginning, daily multiple threads about what talking heads on tv or radio say.

I have noted that, at DU, it's perfectly acceptable to use epithets and name calling to put down Republicans, as long as we don't do the same to Democrats.

I've long thought that many Democrats and Republicans often mirror each other.

I don't hate anybody. I find hate to be counterproductive and self-destructive. I don't hate. I disagree, and I oppose, and sometimes I do so vehemently. That's not the same thing as hate. I find that so many people don't understand that; they automatically assume that opposing something or someone requires hate. I sometimes wonder if there isn't an addiction to hate, like adrenaline.

I also think that making sure that people are all caught up in fear and hate makes it easier to manipulate them, makes it easier to ensure that they won't question, won't dissent, will be "loyal."

johnp3907

(3,723 posts)
21. I think the fact that you asked the question signals that the anwer is "no."
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 06:06 PM
Jun 2016

Just never stop questioning.

ismnotwasm

(41,921 posts)
22. That depends
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 06:25 PM
Jun 2016

Personally I never listen to talk radio--to me, it's annoying. I read. If you are listening to a debate, getting enough information to form a well-thought out opinion, I wouldn't call that brain washing. If you take the to-time to research opinions you don't agree with, and find enough data to support your original opinion--that's not brain-washing.

In a larger example, Maintaining, say, that human-rights should be the law of the land--that could be considered, believe it or not, a philosophical point, but one very difficult to refute. Such an opinion is not being brainwashed, it creates a higher good, a safer environment and progressive social evolution. Would some argue just what human rights entail? Yup.

Or Having the opinion, as I do, that racism, sexism, homophobia, hetetosexism, anti-semitism et al are a malignant human maladaption is not being brainwashed. History tells us of centuries of horrible suffering because of these bigotries. Yet are there some today who argue that social evolution happened because of such bigotries, not in spite of them? Yup.

So brainwashing-- the type you are decribing--takes a certain amount of complacency and intellectual laziness. Only you can answer your own question, really.

 

baldguy

(36,649 posts)
23. It's not "brainwashing"; it's having a conscience & a soul.
Thu Jun 23, 2016, 07:05 PM
Jun 2016

It's being able to see your fellow human beings as human beings, rather than as things to be used, chewed up, tossed aside & disposed of once you're done with them.

If you're horrified & appalled by what conservatives say & do, then you're on the side of the angels.

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