There are a lot of people who have vested interests in dividing us from one another. Politicians and officeholders are certainly one group, but also media companies, influencers, podcasters, and all the others who earn fame and fortune by commenting on politics and social issues. How to get more attention? Make viewers/readers/listeners angry and fearful. Give them "others" to hate and fear. Like JD Vance talking about ordo amoris, tell them it's right and moral to have a rank order of who is worthy of love. The end result after decades of propaganda telling people that there are groups out there, including their fellow Americans who are intent on "destroying" this country, is that it's easy for many people to sign on for the cruelty if its aimed at the destroyers. I don't know the path out of this, but this is where we are in 2025 in the United States.
Agree completely time spent with others in a real physical setting is a necessity for empathy. That said the video you posted seems to be a spoof it’s actually showing how people met their spouses over the years.
As always, a very thoughtful, smart piece. Thanks for writing it
There are a lot of people who have vested interests in dividing us from one another. Politicians and officeholders are certainly one group, but also media companies, influencers, podcasters, and all the others who earn fame and fortune by commenting on politics and social issues. How to get more attention? Make viewers/readers/listeners angry and fearful. Give them "others" to hate and fear. Like JD Vance talking about ordo amoris, tell them it's right and moral to have a rank order of who is worthy of love. The end result after decades of propaganda telling people that there are groups out there, including their fellow Americans who are intent on "destroying" this country, is that it's easy for many people to sign on for the cruelty if its aimed at the destroyers. I don't know the path out of this, but this is where we are in 2025 in the United States.
Agree completely time spent with others in a real physical setting is a necessity for empathy. That said the video you posted seems to be a spoof it’s actually showing how people met their spouses over the years.
Thanks. It doesn’t say that in the post but I was concerned it didn’t cite the source for the data.