It does. And in fact there have been studies about how the amount of time you spend “doing” social media correlates with a loss of effective IQ. Bear in mind that the big companies make a lot of money by selling your eyeballs to advertisers, so they will most assuredly work to maximize the behavior that make them more money. This does NOT involve giving you good thoughtful unbiased information.
Interesting as Biden has made many false statements while Trump started again yesterday and the NYT and others jumped in with their fact check machines. Maybe they can only tackle the easy targets?
It’s our own fault. Adam Smith pointed out companies don’t exist to produce a product – they exist to turn a profit. And they do it by providing us with what we want. Often it’s what’s cheap (we’ll buy a hammer made in China by slave labor rather than one where the company pays a fair wage, because it’s cheaper). And the general public prefers entertainment to truth – you don’t see Scientific American by the checkout counters at the supermarket you see National Inquirer. People buy it for the article on Bat Boy eating Prince Harry’s brain. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves…"
“The whole problem of the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” – Bertrand Russell
I almost forgot how much Shecky the Unhinged enriched the new cycle and challenged our notions about reality. But what continues to be frightening about this ongoing horror show is how looks more and more like 1933 Germany. Maybe the Orange Fuhrer will grow an orange mustache and grease his hair?
“For those who hoped Trump’s don’t-believe-your-eyes tactics might fade after his defeat, the mainstreaming of the antifa conspiracy is a sign that truth remains a fungible concept among his most ardent followers. Buoyed by a powerful right-wing media network that had just spent eight weeks advancing Trump’s baseless claims of voter fraud, pro-Trump Republicans have succeeded in warping their voters’ realities, exhibiting sheer gall as they seek to minimize a violent riot perpetrated by their own supporters.”
From “How pro-Trump forces in media — and in Congress — tried to falsely shift blame for Capitol riot in real time”
While my actual newspaper has dumped a bunch of strips and added a few others, this one did not get restored (it was dropped after the “incident”). The replacement strip “Argyle Sweater” did make the grade.
I’m 76. I’m worried. I’m scared s**tless. Why? I had an excellent education, kindergarten to grad school. Also, I believe in reincarnation. Suppose I’m reborn as a kid in some red state, or a large city with a poor educational record, or just inoto some extreme fundamentalist family. Then I’d become one of those who blindly buys into all those ‘schmactoids’, conspiracy theories, and other types of black-and-white ‘alt-think’. Goddess forbid it should be so.
eastern.woods.metal over 3 years ago
Any “news” you don’t like, just call it “fake news” and make up your own and spread it on “social media”
Mediatech over 3 years ago
As the saying goes, “A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.” Which could lead to the weaponization of stupidity.
RAGs over 3 years ago
Hannity and Carlson take turns at the “shmacts” counter.
eromlig over 3 years ago
It eventually had to come to a one-stop-truth-shopping situation…
Concretionist over 3 years ago
It does. And in fact there have been studies about how the amount of time you spend “doing” social media correlates with a loss of effective IQ. Bear in mind that the big companies make a lot of money by selling your eyeballs to advertisers, so they will most assuredly work to maximize the behavior that make them more money. This does NOT involve giving you good thoughtful unbiased information.
GreasyOldTam over 3 years ago
Along with “schmacts”, he should hit them with a pie to the face.
admiree2 over 3 years ago
Part of the “Science/Schmience” franchise.
jimchronister2016 over 3 years ago
That’s gotta be trump, Johnson or green in the clowns outfit.
braindead Premium Member over 3 years ago
Yet another cartoon Trump Disciples will be unable to grasp.
Hydroxychloroquine side effects.
Also analysis skills.
.
Also, please send more than you can afford to Trump. Because he’s so rich he doesn’t need any money.
For a Just and Peaceful World over 3 years ago
For more examples of SHMACTS, Youtube: CPAC 2021 day 1
sandpiper over 3 years ago
S-o-o-o-o-o This is a profile of the audience at the CPAC Ball? Curious – I thought there’d be more clowns.
CharlesJ.O'Kelly over 3 years ago
Cartoon first appeared 3 March 2017. Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose. Wiley must be on holiday (hope all’s well).
Doug K over 3 years ago
Facts, Shmacts. We don’t need no stinkin’ facts.
Zebrastripes over 3 years ago
SHMACTS= STUPID HYPOCRITS, MARCH AT CAPITOL TACTICAL SUPREMESTS, INC
mikeyman over 3 years ago
Don’t be dissin me.
in.amongst over 3 years ago
Wonder who owns the booth? I’d like to buy a few shares.
SusieB over 3 years ago
The Schmacts line is comprised of CPAC attendees
khmo over 3 years ago
Interesting as Biden has made many false statements while Trump started again yesterday and the NYT and others jumped in with their fact check machines. Maybe they can only tackle the easy targets?
Lawrence.S over 3 years ago
It’s our own fault. Adam Smith pointed out companies don’t exist to produce a product – they exist to turn a profit. And they do it by providing us with what we want. Often it’s what’s cheap (we’ll buy a hammer made in China by slave labor rather than one where the company pays a fair wage, because it’s cheaper). And the general public prefers entertainment to truth – you don’t see Scientific American by the checkout counters at the supermarket you see National Inquirer. People buy it for the article on Bat Boy eating Prince Harry’s brain. “The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, But in ourselves…"
Redd Panda over 3 years ago
People have always loved a good story. More than they love the truth.
Looks like we got a fresh troll, suv2000 is unknown, but they do keep changing their handle. All caps?? Sad.
Lenavid over 3 years ago
A long line of people ready to hear how much better China Joe is doing than Evil Orange Man.
Diat60 over 3 years ago
A lot of good reasons to stick with BBC News!
puliarf over 3 years ago
News for dumb Fux
thelordthygod666 over 3 years ago
“The whole problem of the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, but wiser people so full of doubts.” – Bertrand Russell
timinwsac Premium Member over 3 years ago
Well the clown has orange hair and as he’s in a booth I’ll asume he doesn’t have a twitter account anymore.
awgarrett over 3 years ago
News station A: “Politician Smith personally develops a cure for cancer!”
News station B: “Politician Smith puts oncologists out of a job!”
News station C: “Politician Smith, a Jewish lizard, starts trans-gendered brush fires from outer space!”
rick92040 over 3 years ago
Orange faced clown.
Richard S Russell Premium Member over 3 years ago
France blazes the trail: Petain, Chirac, and now Sarkozy. We could learn from them.
awgarrett over 3 years ago
How do we explain that nobody is lined up at the “Facts” side of the booth?
Perhaps Wiley’s commentary should be interpreted as, “Nobody, on either side of the story, cares about facts.”
Could it be that nobody actually wants facts?
yimhere over 3 years ago
I almost forgot how much Shecky the Unhinged enriched the new cycle and challenged our notions about reality. But what continues to be frightening about this ongoing horror show is how looks more and more like 1933 Germany. Maybe the Orange Fuhrer will grow an orange mustache and grease his hair?
Judy Saint Premium Member over 3 years ago
For real.
KEA over 3 years ago
For the most part people believe what they want to believe… unless reality hits them with a massive dope slap… and sometimes even then.
Thinkingblade over 3 years ago
I like the term Schmacts – it implies it will slap you in the face at some point.
exitseven over 3 years ago
Information and misinformation
saltylife16 over 3 years ago
CNN line is long.
Doctor Go over 3 years ago
Do I see a subtext here? Facts on the Left side and Shmacts on the Right side (along with a clown)?
pap over 3 years ago
Graphic evidence the education system has failed so many. Reality doesn’t dawn in their world and they choose to remain comfortably in denial.
Flatworm over 3 years ago
Located, no doubt, in a red state.
briangj2 over 3 years ago
“For those who hoped Trump’s don’t-believe-your-eyes tactics might fade after his defeat, the mainstreaming of the antifa conspiracy is a sign that truth remains a fungible concept among his most ardent followers. Buoyed by a powerful right-wing media network that had just spent eight weeks advancing Trump’s baseless claims of voter fraud, pro-Trump Republicans have succeeded in warping their voters’ realities, exhibiting sheer gall as they seek to minimize a violent riot perpetrated by their own supporters.”
From “How pro-Trump forces in media — and in Congress — tried to falsely shift blame for Capitol riot in real time”
https://www.chicagotribune.com/nation-world/ct-aud-nw-nyt-capitol-riots-disinformation-20210301-k2sujapetrg2lk7oykpuelbkji-story.html
MT Wallet over 3 years ago
While my actual newspaper has dumped a bunch of strips and added a few others, this one did not get restored (it was dropped after the “incident”). The replacement strip “Argyle Sweater” did make the grade.
Daeder over 3 years ago
It explains conservative voters.
Ka`ōnōhi`ula`okahōkūmiomio`ehiku Premium Member over 3 years ago
Is this about FAUX News?
JenSolo02 over 3 years ago
It’s the GOP “Big Lie” machine at work!
spaced man spliff over 3 years ago
I’m 76. I’m worried. I’m scared s**tless. Why? I had an excellent education, kindergarten to grad school. Also, I believe in reincarnation. Suppose I’m reborn as a kid in some red state, or a large city with a poor educational record, or just inoto some extreme fundamentalist family. Then I’d become one of those who blindly buys into all those ‘schmactoids’, conspiracy theories, and other types of black-and-white ‘alt-think’. Goddess forbid it should be so.
Sailor46 USN 65-95 over 3 years ago
Get your facts first, then you can distort them as you please.
tee929 over 3 years ago
Shmagatites
bakana over 3 years ago
A few drops of Skunk Oil on the “Facts” sign and no one wants to go there.
eccolibri60 Premium Member over 3 years ago
And “Alternate Schmacts.”
wordsmeet 3 months ago
Hahahah, the Schmacts clown is ginger-haired.