Power, lies, and the MSM; or, I think I'm falling down an internet rabbit hole, SEND HALP
I am utterly frustrated with the post-truth, fake news world we live in. I LIKE facts! I LOVE science! Climate change deniers, STFU already! Lately, though, I've been facing some uncomfortable situations that find me nodding along with seriously alt-right-leaning thinkers *shudder*. I don't agree with everything-- or even most things (that whole "White Supremacy" idea, what the aich-e-double-hockey-sticks are you smoking?)-- but some things.
In brief, the particular thing I'm contemplating is the proposed existence and machinations of what Caitlin Johnstone calls the deep state. The deep state is a manifestation of unelected authority, relevant to me as it exists in America though present elsewhere in the world. You can google it if you want, but you'll get some pretty coo-coo bird info along with the popular theories about it.
In her words describing the deep state, Caitlin Johnstone says that: "the concept of a deep state in America is not some kind of wacko conspiracy theory. It doesn’t refer to some cloaked cabal of Jewish elites who meet in the forest to sacrifice children and greet each other with esoteric handshakes as in the straw man that so many corporate media outlets are fond of attacking, but refers rather to the self-evident fact that unelected power structures exist in America, and power structures tend to form alliances. The donor class, Wall Street, Silicon Valley, big oil, the military-industrial complex, various aspects of the intelligence community, the corporate media, national security officials; all of these overlapping and interconnected groups undeniably exist, undeniably wield immense power, and are undeniably not elected by the American people. There is no factual basis on which to deny any of these things; the only thing that can rationally be debated is how they behave. The term “deep state” exists for use in that dialogue." [emphasis mine]
Acknowledging the deep state has led to some very strange bedfellows. Chomsky, meet Breitbart. Breitbart, meet Chomsky. Now go run along and play, children, and no biting.
The idea of the deep state is not a new one. Former socialist American radical James Burnham called it the managerial class and wrote a book about it. He was also editor and a regular contributor to America's leading conservative publication, Ayn Rand-loving & media darling of the alt-right, the National Review.
How did we get from socialist radical to the National Review in one dude? Say it with me now: WAT. Burnham had some sound philosophy but a seriously troubling hard-on for power. Even Orwell smacked him around on it. But I digress.
Over time it has had many names: the ruling class, the Alpha class, the transnational capitalist class. In recent days, in addition to the historical power-weilders the deep state has come to include financial institutions and, in some corners, the media. And this co-mingling of power, propaganda, and the press, my friends, is where the current shitshow of post-truth and fake news comes in.
This involves a number of recognized facts:
- The American legislature is legally protected to lie to the American public, both in wartime and in peacetime.
- The American Government has indeed lied to us in order to create a case for war, which costs lives.
- Currently the MSM is lying to us in a laughable, 6th-grade production value style, and
- The one person calling them out on it -- for being skeptical, mind you, and asking proof before committing acts of war in our name and with our families-- is being attacked by both sides. "The Democrat that Republicans love and the DNC can’t control?" She was the first female U.S. Representative to endorse Sanders, fer chrissakes.
So, what do you think? Is this legit propaganda or am I wasting my precious free time reading conspiracy theories? Propaganda looks a lot like news, y'all, even when it's in our language.
Viva free press and think for yourselves, darlings.
In brief, the particular thing I'm contemplating is the proposed existence and machinations of what Caitlin Johnstone calls the deep state. The deep state is a manifestation of unelected authority, relevant to me as it exists in America though present elsewhere in the world. You can google it if you want, but you'll get some pretty coo-coo bird info along with the popular theories about it.
In her words describing the deep state, Caitlin Johnstone says that: "the concept of a deep state in America is not some kind of wacko conspiracy theory. It doesn’t refer to some cloaked cabal of Jewish elites who meet in the forest to sacrifice children and greet each other with esoteric handshakes as in the straw man that so many corporate media outlets are fond of attacking, but refers rather to the self-evident fact that unelected power structures exist in America, and power structures tend to form alliances. The donor class, Wall Street, Silicon Valley, big oil, the military-industrial complex, various aspects of the intelligence community, the corporate media, national security officials; all of these overlapping and interconnected groups undeniably exist, undeniably wield immense power, and are undeniably not elected by the American people. There is no factual basis on which to deny any of these things; the only thing that can rationally be debated is how they behave. The term “deep state” exists for use in that dialogue." [emphasis mine]
Acknowledging the deep state has led to some very strange bedfellows. Chomsky, meet Breitbart. Breitbart, meet Chomsky. Now go run along and play, children, and no biting.
The idea of the deep state is not a new one. Former socialist American radical James Burnham called it the managerial class and wrote a book about it. He was also editor and a regular contributor to America's leading conservative publication, Ayn Rand-loving & media darling of the alt-right, the National Review.
How did we get from socialist radical to the National Review in one dude? Say it with me now: WAT. Burnham had some sound philosophy but a seriously troubling hard-on for power. Even Orwell smacked him around on it. But I digress.
Over time it has had many names: the ruling class, the Alpha class, the transnational capitalist class. In recent days, in addition to the historical power-weilders the deep state has come to include financial institutions and, in some corners, the media. And this co-mingling of power, propaganda, and the press, my friends, is where the current shitshow of post-truth and fake news comes in.
This involves a number of recognized facts:
- The American legislature is legally protected to lie to the American public, both in wartime and in peacetime.
- The American Government has indeed lied to us in order to create a case for war, which costs lives.
- Currently the MSM is lying to us in a laughable, 6th-grade production value style, and
- The one person calling them out on it -- for being skeptical, mind you, and asking proof before committing acts of war in our name and with our families-- is being attacked by both sides. "The Democrat that Republicans love and the DNC can’t control?" She was the first female U.S. Representative to endorse Sanders, fer chrissakes.
So, what do you think? Is this legit propaganda or am I wasting my precious free time reading conspiracy theories? Propaganda looks a lot like news, y'all, even when it's in our language.
Viva free press and think for yourselves, darlings.