Basically a handful of individuals guide a nation?
2007-09-23 15:10:16 · 19 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
No. In fact, I tend to be quite skeptical of a lot of what politicians propagate and especially of the rampant incoherent punditry posing as commentary. As for news and current events, I arbitrarily weigh the amount of objectivity within different sources on a given event and come to my own conclusion on what is happening. Not all are created equally.
Rather, I formulate my opinions based on reason and putting things in perspective. Unlike the majority of people, I tend to keep my own personal life experiences from influencing my overall worldview as a single individual is certainly not representative of society as a whole. Thus, applying such subjectivity to the grand scope of reality is sort of fallicious in a sense.
Those who lack any initiative or ability to think for themselves, however, are most likely the ones to be swayed by such emotionally-laced commentary and "shock" journalism.
2007-09-23 16:25:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 2⤋
I like to watch the hearings on CSPAN. I think that is a better place to get information than regular news although I watch that also.
I base my opinion partly on the situation in my own life and what is going on around me. For instance if the news says that Americans are better off now than 6 years ago, I would have to disagree with that because I'm not. Any raises have been eaten up by increased state taxes, higher fuel prices, higher health insurance, food prices, etc. I'm told the economy is great but I see the credit crunch and the slow down where I work because of it.
Most average Americans don't follow politics that closely and judge who to vote for by their own situations rather than the political bickering and mud slinging.
To say I react because of what I hear on the news would not be the case. In fact, I have become very skeptical of what I hear on the news. I do not read blogs because I don't particularly care to have someone inform me of their opinion using exaggeration and melodrama to make their point.
2007-09-23 15:31:44 · answer #2 · answered by BekindtoAnimals22 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I've been conservative for most of my 41 years. While different events and the reporting of those events may require me to examine how my beliefs fit into what's going on at any one time, I don't feel that my beliefs change a whole lot.
One key belief is personal responsibility. Believing that ones personal responsibility is more important than any other group's responsibility for you dictates how you think about many issues. So, if I see a story about a person who is in a desperate situation and needs help, it moves me to want to help the person directly, not set-up a new government program.
So, no, I don't think the news shows dramatically change your beliefs because I believe they form as a result of the events, relationships, and activities that occur in your life before you ever start watching the news.
2007-09-23 15:31:57 · answer #3 · answered by bkc99xx 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A synthesis of news reports and personal research -- I watch pundits to listen to what other people are thinking, but such input rarely changes the conclusions I've reached based on my own research.
2007-09-23 15:19:00 · answer #4 · answered by coragryph 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Everyone synthesizes a different combination of news reports, pundits' opinions, and the opinions of friends. And then they add their own understanding and gloss. So, no, I think most people add at least a little something of their own to what they hear and read.
2007-09-23 15:22:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whether people accept it or not, it has a great influence on a person in his opinions. Opinions are formed based on the environment. Be it from friends, family, media. Individual opinions get blunted, changed or firmness lost due to the above.
VR
2007-09-23 15:18:42 · answer #6 · answered by sarayu 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
how else could you form an opinion on issues than on a combination of news reports? I haven't been to Iraq and Iran, how could I swear off news reports and just guess how it is there? I think by taking a combination of news reports and seeing different perspectives, it is easier to see which points you agree with to find a coherent opinion on each issue
2007-09-23 15:14:25 · answer #7 · answered by MrPotatoHead 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely not. I have looked at all the history of politics before I even dreamed of making an educated opinion for myself. In learning all this I figured out that the first thing would be not to trust the corrupt news networks.
2007-09-23 15:14:37 · answer #8 · answered by beatlemaniac 3 · 2⤊ 1⤋
My political opinion is based on extensive study of history, my own personal values, and life experience. The media plays a very small role in my positions.
2007-09-23 15:13:15 · answer #9 · answered by steddy voter 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sure, new reports play a part. But there are differing opinions presented and different news organizations have a different slant on the facts they report. So, it ends up we all get to form our own ideas if we wish ... or we have the option of just agreeing with Rush L. or Mike M. or some candidate who impresses us for some reason.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/nonlethalalternatives/
2007-09-23 15:17:02 · answer #10 · answered by Yaktivistdotcom 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋