Stop Yelling, I Can't Hear You!!

The title of this article is counterintuitive, but I think true nonetheless. 

For several years now a trend has been developing on cable and radio talk shows (those that are politically inclined) towards "shouting down" and/or disgracing anyone with a different point of view.  It seems to be getting worse, rather than better. 

Many of these "shock jocks" are now spewing hate and divisiveness across the airwaves, in between the yelling.  But that's another story.

It has actually gotten to the point for me that I can't watch or listen to any of their garbage for more than a few minutes.  And that's sad, because I've been a lifelong conservative.  If it isn't alluring to half-way intelligent guys like me, who is it appealing to?  It must be engaging for a lot of people, because they're still on the air. 

Here is the counterintuitive impact of such ranting and raving.  When two people have opposing views, if one tries to shut down the other by overtalking and telling them what an idiot they are for holding that view, I believe the person being abused will hold onto their beliefs with even stronger conviction.  After all, if they change their position, then they would be conflicted because of the subconcious recognition that they were "bullied" into changing their opinion, which would be a sign of weakness.  I suggest this behavior would hold even if the jerk who was berating them had the more logical position.

When a person with an opposing view gets in my face and speaks loudly, not allowing me to voice an opinion, my mental faculties shut down (any married people out there?).  I hear a bunch of noise but none of the points they're trying to make registers with me.  I totally tune them out.  So, in a real way, the louder they speak the less I hear.

So, what are these media commentators trying to achieve?  Surely they aren't trying to sway others to their way of thinking.  So, if persuasion is not the goal, is it for pure entertainment value?  After all, it made Jerry Springer millions.

Really, we all pretty much suspect what these guys are up to.  They're probably appealing to those people who already buy their stories.  They aren't trying to hear the opposing view, sway anyone's opinion or have any dialogue of any kind.  They obtain their ratings by preaching to the choir and beating up on the opposition to show how committed they are to the cause.   And did I mention the ratings?  I mean, come on, does anyone really change their mind after watching one of these shows?

Anyone have other ideas on this? 

See the video below from a Bill Moyer's special on the hateful messages being espoused on many radio talk shows.  Perhaps we can talk about that in a later article.

The Right Wing Talk Radio Hate Shows

 

Comments

[Lauren A.]

Hear hear! I feel the same way about these shows. Everyone is yelling and screaming and getting nothing done. My cohorts in the Republican Party are taking the angry thing a little too far and it's turning people off. Even McCain looks ticked off most the time. No way to win friends and influence people!