http://mmccollow.blogspot.com/2006/06/not-...o-allegory.html
-- --
Monday, June 12, 2006
A not-so-subtle pseudo-allegory
Let's pretend for a moment that you and I have a deal set up. Our agreement is that I clip various articles from mainstream and alternative newspapers and magazines every day that I think will be of interest to you. Each day, you come to me and ask "So, Matt, what do you have for me today?", and I hand you a stack of clippings, maybe commenting on one or two of them as you skim over them. "Gee, that story seems a little farfetched doesn't it?" I'd ask of some of the more fringe articles. You don't necessarily have to agree with me, because you have the clippings; you can read for yourself and make your own decision. In fact, I encourage you to do just that.
Now imagine a slightly different arrangement. You still get your news from me everyday, but I'm not clipping it from outside sources. I'm reporting it to you myself. I still offer my opinion on some of the stories of the day, only a lot more often. I disguise my opinion as news. I tell you wild stories of fantasy and imply or even outright claim that those who disagree are absolutely insane. I offer two sides to every story: multiple "experts" whom agree with me, and a single, nervous dissenter who has trouble communicating his or her ideas over my constant shouting and interruption.
I told you Saddam Hussein had Weapons of Mass Destruction. In retrospect, there's a good chance I knew I was lying to you. I told you the definitive "truth" on 9/11, and then revised the story dozens of times. I ignored outrage over a fraudulent election, even when the evidence was overwhelming and public figures called for investigations. When government officials are caught in illegal activities, I scold those who blew the whistle on them. I even admitted to you that sometimes the news stories I tell you aren't actually news stories, and in fact are commercial-like productions paid for by the government and corporations as a PR operation. My entire operation is quite possibly a PR tool, as it's financed and undoubtedly influenced by some of the largest corporations in the world.
And when these things add up, and you start to doubt my credibility, I attack those who, like in the first example, simply clip interesting news and forward it to you. Even though they're not producing any news themselves, they are crazy people and liars. They live in a world of make-believe and should be either disregarded or ridiculed.
And when I'm through each daily session of scaring you out of your skin, insulting your intelligence, ridiculing those who disagree with me, and promoting the agendas of the people who write my paycheques, I tell you a warm fluffy story about animals, hoping to confuse and distract you from the mind control I'm practicing on you every single day.
Now, who would you trust for your news?