What percentage of Americans actually think for themselves?

Question

I have a view on this as I see the answers posted here on Y. Answers. With Fox claiming to have a greater coverage than any other Media source does that tell you anything?

Answer 1

Fox is better at claims than reality!
Fewer thought for themselves than was best by a long shot in 2000 and 2004.
That is the reason Republicans abondon facts and fear-monger. Fear makes people suspend reason.
After their abyssmal record, how else could they ever win?? Facts and thinking voters will kill them!!!!
Fear stampedes people in the other direction.
"Cut and run." Meaningless, like name calling in kindergarten, yet it has worked. I hope adults appear at the polls this time!!!

Answer 2

It would be interesting to see the results of a well-funded phone poll, but I doubt we'll see that any time soon. Marketing, for example, bases assumptions on how people statistically make choices based on typical things.

FOX may be right. Where you live, people might be more of a CNN or PBS crowd, but consider that white America is still the majority, and your poclet of the States, even if it's New York or Chicago, is small. The republican party still for the "angry white man" who disapproved of Kennedy being nice to minorities, it is emerging as the party for the "fed-up black man" who is tired of his people identifying themselves as criminals, and is now subverting other people against their own nationalities in favor of empty concepts. Yeah - FOX might be #1. Lots of people watch them.

Older members of some families still have a significant influence over the thinking of family members. Pre-1960 thinking was pretty brutal. Anyone who's interested in furthering the effort to clearly define collusion in America should start with the attitudes toward blacks, sympathizers, musicians, and their fans. Next are the attitudes that black developed in response.

The media is a poor representation of US internal hostilities. You get a much better picture observing what you have here on Y! answers... well maybe not... I haven't seen much from angry blacks on here, but they're not into stuff like this.... ok I've said enough. You may start sending me hate emails now. Take care.

Answer 3

It's how the 'thinking' is done for them. It's hardly raw material being displayed. If I was on a desert island on myself with a radio that could only pick up right-wing press, I'm quite certain I would eventually blame liberals for my dilemma in absent minded moments.

When TV came around and shows started coming out, genres were created to define the identity of programs. Comedy. Politics. Documentaries. Sport. Now that's a bit outdated because, yes you have sport programs. You have action movies. You have grandpa radio. With news, it's not just news; it's a complex hybrid. Live reporting and commentary. Comedy and fiction.

I doubt hardly any people stop to think WHY the news shows even require a commentary. "Let's go to Bill." Certainly an opinion matters, but to be shortened down to a few minutes of political pointscoring cheapens the whole notion of an opinion. You would definately find your personal opinion more fair if it was divided from the news team completely. Opinions are NOT news, they are NOT events, they are NOT the reality of what is actually happening. They are just opinions, someone else's take on a false political spectrum already constructed.

How much commentary have you heard in your life? On the war in Lebanon? On the rights of Israel? On terrorism? How many times have you nodded your head in approval? Or shook it in disgust? Everyone has opinions. Everyone has a certain frame of mind. But by adding so much commentary, news shows are designed to draw those minds in - and change them. It's propaganda.

And even conspiracy theorists are turning into themselves with this propaganda. I've seen a site today about how Alex Jones is a conspirator himself! The delusion continues everywhere, on all sides. News shows must stop becoming shows. They must become neutral, watered-down, and dull. They appeal to much to aggressive senses in our body. If you want to vent tensions, play football, don't organise a lobby group to attack minorities. Don't shout about how 'why can't people see'. Without TV, would these people ever blame minorities? Would they even care?

And especially with a media system like the US. I note you're still on an elevated terror alert. It's that kind of thing that bugs, that you have to live in a state of fear and adrenaline. You can't think straight when there's threats all around you. No, US media requires a slow, painful deconstruction.

What randombanter said was good as well. We tend to sway towards popular opinion. So even if the majority of americans hated a politician, by -reporting- it differently would change everything. It might turn it into truth. This sort of development is basically why I choose my nickname.

I'm going to get off my soap box now.

Answer 4

I feel that most people try to think for them selves, but, they have become brain washed by our gov, news media, and are being misled from every direction it seems, So there fore wouldn't it be better to form a organization to help inform the general public on how to do research on the party or candidate he is thinking of voting for ,rather than knocking one another, and for gods sake do away with the party system,

Answer 5

Yes, as Fox viewership grows, the number of people who think for themselves grows. They are no longer automaton stooges depending upon the hard-left biased media to filter the news for them and tell them what to think.

Hey, got more stupid questions? I have a lot more snappy comebacks!

Answer 6

I don't know, but the 'independent-thinkers' seem to be increasing, if one looks at the polls. Not a minute too late, thank God!
The gloomier the faces at Fox News, (and there are many now) the better for all.

Answer 7

Most Americans do think for themselves. Based on your question I'm guess that you somehow feel superior to those you disagree with and try to boost your fragile ego by claiming they must not be thinking for themselves when their opinions differ from yours.

Answer 8

Based upon the 2004 election, 48%, not counting the voting fraud.

Answer 9

I say about 10% only, most believe what they see on TV or read in newspaper

Answer 10

Yes-GOP controlled who attemtps to control rest of entire world.
Two parties to serve USA and GOP attempts to "party" the world.

The can't controlled themselves.