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In reply to the discussion: Confirmation of something I've often observed [View all]Ocelot II
(122,814 posts)1. Fox makes its viewers angry, and anger is perversely pleasurable.
Anger can be understood as a reaction to what feels threatening or unfair to you. In such instances, you feel unjustifiably attacked, taken advantage of, betrayed, violated, or powerless. And your anger, essentially retaliatory in nature, agreeably serves the function of restoring to you a sense of righteousness and control, even dignity and respect. Added to this, the energizing surge of adrenaline accompanying your eruption further accentuates your sense of wronged virtue. So naturally, you feel morally superior to whoever or whatever provoked you in the first place.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/evolution-the-self/201811/why-you-secretly-enjoy-getting-angry
Fox incites its viewers to anger leading to a sense of victimization, and being a victim means they are the innocent, wronged person; and whoever made them the victim is necessarily the bad guy - and therefore they can feel superior to the bad people who victimized them. This is what Trump does and Fox just amplifies it. So what you are seeing is a bunch of people feeding on the thrill that Fox/Trump-induced anger and victimhood gives them. It's their meth and coke and crack and it feels so good they can't tear themselves away from it.
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Also, an enraged person has less reasoning ability and their beliefs can be more easily manipulated.
Hermit-The-Prog
Oct 2024
#18
I also think that being a "victim" can be generalized. That's why no promotion. That's why your wife (or husband) left.
JoetheShow
Oct 2024
#19
Have long noticed certain types of 'Christians' claim persecution over everything
Attilatheblond
Oct 2024
#45
I noticed for a long time during the abortion debate that not being allowed to impose their religious beliefs on others
JoetheShow
Oct 2024
#48
Thinking back to my grandfather, listening to AM talk radio ALL THE TIME in the 60s
Attilatheblond
Oct 2024
#47
In my senior move management job one place we used to move people in frequently used to have Fox on
kimbutgar
Oct 2024
#4
Despise FAUX as well, but their viewership is still relatively small. 3 million or so might
Silent Type
Oct 2024
#6
I wasn't aware that you are in authority to police people's engagement with issues
Orrex
Oct 2024
#41
They've hooked their empty skulls up to the bullshit nozzle and are happily taking in as much as they can get
GreenWave
Oct 2024
#11
Competing with and replacing reality is a much bigger job than reporting news. nt
hay rick
Oct 2024
#12
This has been happening for decades. I was an interior designer in the 90s and
Figarosmom
Oct 2024
#14
The Fascist Oligarch eXtremists' propaganda network is a cancer on the body politic.
Hermit-The-Prog
Oct 2024
#17
I thought Fox News was pass. They all like Newsmax. By the way over 50% of Americans don't have cable nor satellite any
HagathaCrispy
Oct 2024
#23