Reply To: Russell Brand

[Siderite]

The ‘legacy media’ hasn’t always covered itself in glory, but the so called ‘alternative media’ is far worse and tends to skew heavily towards confirmation bias for whatever side it represents. It doesn’t matter if it’s right leaning stuff like Guido or Fox News or left wing stuff like Another Angry Voice or Novara Media.

It’s a common misconception that conspiracy theories and tendency to such stuff is a domain for the stupid. Many people go into them through inquisitive mindsets, and finding the reporting appealing. This might be because of the nature of the stories confirming the bias of the reader or because they often sound very well researched, but there are often flaws. No outlet is without bias, including ‘legacy media’, but there are far more stringent checks with more established sources, but I am aware times they have failed increase cynicism, scepticism, whatever you want to call it. However, that doesn’t mean the alternative is better, and most of the stuff I see from these alternative outlets is garbage which only appeals to those who think that way.

I try to reserve my ire at the public figures who put their heads above the parapet with what I dislike. I do find their motives cynical and agenda driven, when they talk about MSM agendas and what not. While they peddle stuff which is far less evidence driven. I do worry about the polarisation and ‘radicalisation’ of society, where people seemingly get maniacal about their side’s concerns with no thoughts for others, and it affects everyone. MAGA, Brexiters, FBPE remainers, Corbynites, Scottish nats etc can all come across this way. Everyone against them is an out of touch metropolitan elitist, any argument against their view is disingenuous. Whatever. Do I think every person who supports ideas common to these groups are like this? No, but it reflects a large proportion.

The most important thing for me is that worries over this may lead to me putting myself on a pedestal above others, where I am immune to such thinking. I try to remind myself that I am not and can be prone to such, so try not to judge myself as being more rational and enlightened than others, yourself included.