Is the Average American Voter Programmed or Ignorant?
The title of the article poses a provocative question. The notion of an 'average' American voter being stupid is largely a misnomer. Rather, it is the environment and media consumption patterns that shape the voter's understanding and perspective. This article explores how societal factors, such as a lack of quality education, a fear-based culture promoted by the media, and exploitative propaganda, contribute to a general misinformed populace.
Statistical Reality: Average Intelligence
Statistically speaking, the average American voter has average intelligence. According to the law of large numbers, it is unlikely for the populace as a whole to consist exclusively of either the extremely intelligent or the perpetually ignorant. Consequently, the majority falls within the average range, a reflection of the broader population's cognitive spectrum.
Root of Political Results
The manifestation of 'stupid political results' does not stem from the cognitive limitations of the American voters. Instead, it is more attributable to the influence of powerful and wealthy individuals who manipulate the political process through financial influence and media control. These individuals have the resources to sway public opinion and manipulate the political landscape to their advantage.
The Propaganda Machine in the United States
The average human is indeed 'stupid' in the sense that they are heavily propagandized. This is not the ignorance typical of authoritarian regimes but a result of the capitalist system's propagation of misinformation through media channels. The freedom and democracy in the United States are used by the dominant class to spread and reinforce propaganda that is as pervasive as it was in Mao's state, albeit with a different character.
The Role of Propaganda
The propaganda centers on the ideal of 'freedom,' a belief that fuels public discourse. This idea is used to maintain the status quo and control public opinion. The allure of freedom is a powerful motivator, and much of the propaganda maintains its strength through its very nature. It is self-reinforcing to a near-religious extent, wherein the 'sunk cost' of ideological investment keeps the population engaged in perpetuating these beliefs.
Education and Media's Impact
Education in the United States is patchy, with some areas lacking in quality due to underfunding and resource constraints. Coupled with a culture of fear and media exploitation of this fear, Americans' understanding of the world is often skewed. Additionally, the way US television is structured with frequent breaks for advertisements trains people to have short attention spans and discourages critical thinking.
Political Discourse and Media
The intense and divisive nature of modern political discourse is a direct result of a two-party system operating under capitalist hegemony. The rigid structure of the media and the rise of custom-made mass media have further fueled this polarization. The discourse is characterized by tribal ferocity, with participants often operating on a level where the only real winners are the professional politicians and financiers.
The article concludes by emphasizing the self-reinforcing nature of propaganda and the extent to which it shapes the American voter's perspective. The frequent reference to a da capo in musical notation serves to underscore the cyclical and repetitive nature of this phenomenon.