Is the average American easily manipulated by its government and media?

Question

I was very careful to add the phrase "average" American rather then American's. My question is purley aimed to gauge not label.

Answer 1

Oh dear . . . my fellow Americans will stone me for this! I live in Los Angeles, CA (Hermosa Beach). Talk about being manipulated by the government and media. I can't even begin to describe to you how true that is. The situation is out of hand really. The rate of the uncultured and mindless is growing every minute. However, sad it maybe there is no helping the situation. Unless we destroy Hollywood and rethink our government (left and right included in this). You and I both know that will ever happen!
I’m seriously rethinking my current location? It would be lovely to carry on an intelligent conversation again.

Answer 2

it is probably to some extend. but i think a lot of people are very capable of thinking for themselves (at least i know a lot).

i think this problem is currently more prominent in germany. there the population is directed by media and politics into "hating" everything what is "american".

the millions of bad comments about americans in the german YC is also furthered by the administrators which are quick to erase questions and answers if you are talking pro-america, but close both eyes when the users there rave against the us.

i (as a german) live since 1991 in texas and i believe that the americans are way more open and curious about what is going on then for example the germans. they falling more and more into a complacent stage. this is probably because the population in germany has so little hope for improvement, while we here are more optimistic about our future in the united states.

Answer 3

No one can be manipulated for long if he is a sound person not willing to. People are not all that stupid; especially in America where you can find the brightest minds in the world and the best universities.

Maybe, what you perceive as manipulation is seen as entertainment or else by others. That's all.

Don't assume that everybody believe everything. Most of us truly don't care about most of what the media say, for example.

Answer 4

We sometimes are manipulated by stuff like that. The government is more important the the media. When celebrities do stupid stuff which most of them do we talk about how stupid they are. Hollywood is filled with liberals what else would you think.

Answer 5

Unfortunately the answer is yes but thankfully for the Internet many people are starting to open their eyes. I was completely ignorant before and believed what CNN/Foxnews had always told me until I finally did research on certain topics on my own.

Answer 6

Only the ones who do not have a good understanding of American History and current events. The more one knows about how America was founded and what it is supposed to be doing, the better one can see if they are being mislead.

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Answer 7

Go down south - they will believe anything they are told. A lot of people in the north east are much more analytical about what they are told - but they could all do weve leaving the country once in a while and getting a look in at themselves (and i dont mean cancun)

Answer 8

Definetly, and the gov't media know this. Every time they want something to have the most attention, it is on the airwaves and that is all the public talks about. If the gov't wanted to outlaw dog turds, you better believe the media would be on it and people would follow suit.

Answer 9

You know that's the case! That's why politicians spend millions on their PR campaigns and why there are constant arguments here about the merits (or lack thereof) of Fox News and CNN.

Answer 10

Yes but only the neocons, as they believe anything and everything that Jerry Falwell, Sean Hanity or Bill O'Reily tell them. It is actually quit pathetic how brainwashed these people are.