Dear MSM How to deal with a Narcissist 101
Neither the MSM nor the opposition learnt anything during the primaries or the election itself, so I have decided to hopefully write a light hearted essay on how to report without setting your hair on fire.
1] Travel
We don't need to know where they are at any given time, you don't actually have to travel with them either. We can all imagine these days people getting on and off planes/helicopters etc. Get your local offices to wander up and if anything interesting happens [it usually does not] put it on page 3 or 4.
2] Visiting factories
Probably even a bigger yawn than the travel, let the local papers deal with it if they can be bothered.
3] Signing bits of paper.
Report on the document itself. Watching someone struggling with complicated instruments such as pens may be entertaining...once..use a stock photo of pen and paper. Using multiple crayons pens is even sillier btw. As for those display dummies that are usually placed around the pen wielder, well, who cares.
4] Press conferences by the narcissist concerned.
Usually a video link is available, so there is no reason to actually attend or even broadcast it, send in your questions via twitter. Ask deep stuff such as; how are the roses doing in the garden?
5] Press conferences by a minion
Why bother, we all know what will happen, show a video of the whirling dervishes [spin] instead or maybe even some clowns playing with whitewash [distraction] for the younger viewers.
6] Visits by Heads/Dignitaries of Foreign States.
Usually from places most Americans could not even find on a map, use stock photo of hands shaking, it is a rare day indeed when a fist bump actually happens. They are foreigners for god's sake and probably not even from countries that we are currently bombing.
7] Twitter account
Leave that to the rest of us, some of us can actually read and if not there are some funny images to look at, hopefully there will be moar lolol catz. There can never be too many cat images.
8] Tweeting the narcissist concerned
If you must. Never address the subject,tweet or tweetee, I recommend recipes I'm always up for a new way to cook stuff.
9] Following the spouse.
Leave that to the specialist magazines concerned, Vogue, Gun Nuts Unlimited.. whatever floats their readers boats.
10] The children
Who cares? Unless they actually have their fingers caught in the cookie jar nothing could be more boring. Monitor from a safe distance, photos are not required.
11] Bad dancing
That makes me boil with rage, why make me suffer through an actual video? If they could actually dance... then I'll happily watch.. once maybe even twice if they are really good.
12] Playing Sportz throwing balls, hitting balls with sticks etc.
Dear god, zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz. Unless of course they fall head first into something interesting: for example an alligator.
13] 24/7 News cycle.
Why? Seriously... WHY? I suppose repeats are cheap. Suffering hours of endless side-effects from over priced drugs/medicine will drive any viewer nuts/rabid/hypochondriac.
The objective should be to report on the details/effects rather than merely the fluffy infotainment designed to either induce fear/loathing or enrage/pacify.
Now this strategy should free up plenty of resources to actually do some real journalism.
Just a thought.
Comments
Regarding #3, why are the bakup people smiling, always?
Take a look via not-google for the Indiana Pence signing the anti-LBGT law. Mostly religious leaders.
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Are they really smiles or just baring of the teeth?
Problem is ...
Problem is, a good percentage of these MSM folks are narcissists, themselves.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
So are most politicians however when you think about it...
it explains a lot about the current situation including "stars" with zero talent bar the talent of self publicity.
Celebrity culture
And we're living in a "celebrity" culture that eats this stuff up. Everyone wants to be a reality TV star. Ugh.
"Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep ... Don't go back to sleep."
~Rumi
"If you want revolution, be it."
~Caitlin Johnstone
Trump deploys Clinton immigration rule, Ds go plotz!
Damn I can't stop drudging up the past, if only it would fucking die on its own but nooo. Speaking of narcissists, Bill Clinton. Bringing brown people to heel. Thanks.
Memos signed by DHS secretary outline new guidelines for deporting undocumented immigrants
http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2013/11/14/the-most-narcissistic-u-s-presidents/
We may well have a new leader on your scoreboard
i thought JFK would have been higher
Betcha we now have one > 2.0!
The list has the top man as LBJ, 1.852.
I can easily see Hair Chump as cracking the 2.0 barrier!
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
Do - scores mean humbleness or ineffectiveness?
Let's ponder that one. Should we just do a lottery for all of what we now deem political positions? Or would that be too Shirley Jackson?
Hey! my dear friends or soon-to-be's, JtC could use the donations to keep this site functioning for those of us who can still see the life preserver or flotsam in the water.
Millard Fillmore
does "yes" answer that question? lol and thanks for the Know Nothings hint.
@eyo Oh, one of the scattering
Oh, one of the scattering of ways the Obama admin. was pushing back against what the truly powerful want. Glad we've safely gotten back to an absolutist version of the Clinton-Bush paradigm! Those few little gestures against the status quo were really irritating. They showed up against Obama's overall acquiescence to the PTB like flaws in a big beautiful painting. Like that Chelsea Manning thing right at the end, so irritating.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Where is Obummers?
You'd think the first post-partisan president would lead the list. I'm so ...
Fighting for democratic principles,... well, since forever
Immigration holds @ Tx county jail
20 years ago I collected arrest records for a tiny semi weekly newspaper publication in Dan Rather's birthplace. On the wall at the county jail, was a white eraser board. On it were the names of the IHs (Immigration Holds). I was not to include them in my report.
In the year or so that I worked for the paper, none were ever removed from the board, and maybe three or four were added. I was told the county "liked" housing them in the jail because it made good money from the federal government for doing it.
Incidentally, that town was not far from where an entire trailer load of people were left to die a horrible death in the sweltering Texas heat. One was a child, IIRC.
What I've not heard anyone mention, is how easily the true criminals get across the border. The serial killer, Resendiz, freely came and went. He had a wife in Mexico and would make trips home to see her, and IIRC, he was deported at least once.
Check in with immigration: get deported and stay away. Kill people across multiple states: come and go as you please for years and years. Frankly, I'd rather keep them both, but I'd rather we lock up the violent ones so they don't come back and hurt more people.
... actually, were I one day to be "President",
I would be honored to be in those rankings that included Theodore, FDR, and JFK. Unsure just now what the "Narcissim Index" looks at, but I may be honing things to ensure that I get there, one of these days (or, maybe, in my next life) --
When Cicero had finished speaking, the people said “How well he spoke”.
When Demosthenes had finished speaking, the people said “Let us march”.
That List...
Is due for an update...
The last one was adding Dubya to the list...
I'm the only person standing between Richard Nixon and the White House."
~John F. Kennedy~
Economic: -9.13, Social: -7.28,
More and more, I notice how msm manipulates us.
Show business celebrities and politicians and, to a lesser extents, sports figures are covered as though we should be interested in their every move or pronouncement. Why?
And we flock along as though this were reasonable. Should we care if Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber ever get back together? Should we care what Malia Obama's internship entailed? Why?
Meanwhile, important news gets short shrift or isn't covered at all. Because
embarrassingnational security.At least in Ancient Rome, Bread and Circus included bread.
As far as Presidential narcissists, I don't think Trump is the first or will be the last. He's just the most unfiltered. I think it takes a certain degree of narcissism to want the office. I don't remember who said it, but there was a saying to the effect that no one who wants to be President should be.
But, now, it's become wrong to criticize our POS mass media because Trump does it.
Catch 22, Henry
Only if we let it be.
http://caucus99percent.com/content/frigate-ship-happens
http://caucus99percent.com/content/impeach-impeach-part-2
@HenryAWallace I don't freaking care who
I don't freaking care who does it. Does the evidence justify it, or not?
That's what's really under attack, and has been since the early 80's. Goddamned fucking CIA, telling Reagan "Oh, we can take care of this annoying propensity for large left-wing movements in the streets. Just let us propagandize the American public the same way we do in 3rd-world countries. Works like a charm!"
Joe had a link a while ago to a really great article on this actual historical event.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Obama actually got a bill passed specifically
permitting the US government to propagandize Americans. Governments have always propagandized their own populations, so getting a bill passed suggests he wanted to go beyond the usual and is creepy.
@HenryAWallace No kidding. Making it
No kidding. Making it official is creepier. Back in 1983, they did it, and it was on the books (there was an official liaison guy between the Reagan Admin and the CIA for this particular function), but they didn't draw attention to it.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
Either that or you're forced to agree with Trump.
It's classic. It's a with us or against us thing, same as the red baiting. Of course, everyone knows the media is wanked. I remind people of the old saying, "do you believe everything you read in the newspapers?". It's not a new thing at all.
But as with everything Trump, there are contradictions (Fox news, Hannity) which make it clear he's doing it because he's a narcissist, attacking anything that doesn't paint him favorably. That should catch up to him eventually.
Al, as far as media, there are differences, IMO.
Sure,there was always media propaganda. The Hearst papers supposedly were almost singlehandedly responsible for starting a war and for coinage of the term "yellow journalism." But, the Hearst papers were themselves unusual during Heart's lifetime in that they were a chain. Most newspapers were a town by town stand alone operation, like the Asbury Park Press and its local competitors, or the Boston Globe and its local competitors, plus a bunch of even smaller papers in smaller towns.
They were not part of media conglomerates and they were certainly not part of huge parent companies, like Disney Corp, that own papers, TV and radio stations plus a bunch of other companies that have nothing to do with news. And all news outlets were not owned by 5-7 conglomerates, so that a handful of companies control what can shapes minds in all of the US.
In the old days, papers competed fiercely with each other or they did not sell enough papers to stay in business. There was just so much fabrication in which they could engage and still sell enough papers to pay the bills. Now, Disney doesn't worry about whether a news entity it owns makes money or not. Disney can easily afford its own propaganda arm. so, even if, say, MSNBC ,doesn't make money spouting the establishment line, it doesn't matter to MSNBC's parent company.
Yes, subtlety died a long time ago now it's one or the other
without even looking at the reasons for the criticism, black or white.
We need not let it.
http://caucus99percent.com/content/frigate-ship-happens
I know this essay was meant
tongue in cheek because of the snark tag. Honestly, it reads like a serious, well rationalized treatise. Every point is true and the counter should be effective and acted upon.
On the topic of narcissism, in and of itself, is it a bad thing? I figure anyone who puts themselves out in the public eye must have at least a kernel of narcissism. Look how often I post. Personally I'm delighted LaFem and others are narcissist enough to give me such great enjoyment. Unfettered anything can be a problem, e.g. oxycontin is fine, just not the way Limbaugh uses it.
I can't help myself, but I have to comment on item 3. That action always gives me a snicker with this Fake President. With every signature I'm thinking, Melania is going to need another refrigerator. Ya think he stomps his foot and holds his breath until he gets a gold star?
There is no such thing as TMI. It can always be held in reserve for extortion.
I just love this type of image
The ongoing Trumpaloser really is soul destroying.
A few, quick checks of various 'news' sources is all I can manage on a daily basis.
Gëzuar!!
from a reasonably stable genius.
It's getting [well gotten in fact] too much for sure.
(No subject)
There is no such thing as TMI. It can always be held in reserve for extortion.
Do it yourself news programming
I don't watch the news on tv. I get clips on YouTube, choosing what I want to see. Very interesting to see Glen Greenwald being interviewed by Tucker Carlson, they got along so well. Carlson seemed happy to have GG advocate for changing the focus. And I like reading the fact-checkers after a pronouncement, tweet or speech by Trump. Almost everything he says is wrong or lying. I recommend skipping the actual speeches, and going right to the fact checking afterwards.
The news about dismantling government programs like EPA and the arts is heartbreaking. I am in stunned disbelief. What interests me is the reaction to that, what efforts will be made to survive the Trump admin?
To thine own self be true.
Would FDA happen to be on the chopping block also.
Considering that FDA, along with the USDA itself, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Monsanto, it's demise would not be much of a loss.
As for EPA, I understand the regulatory capture of EPA has gone so far, that it now tends to do more harm than good. If you know different, please educate me on that point.
Mary Bennett
You know as much as I do
I consider the years of built up EPA regulations to protect air and water to be valuable. EPA has been under plenty of pressure from industry not to protect, neonics were not banned long after they were a proven hazard to pollinators, for example. But I am not cynical enough to dismiss the entire agency.
To thine own self be true.
@MarilynW It's not a good thing
It's not a good thing that Trump wants to get rid of the EPA. No way, no how. But we're looking at endemic regulatory capture across the government. That also is true.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
EPA superfund sites, toxic cleanup every aisle
replying about EPA over-reach or whatever, coincidentally everywhere I have lived in California, there has been an EPA superfund site. Currently it is Cloverdale, MGM Brakes, yummy PCBs.
I worked for Sola Optical early 80s, before they moved to Mexico, even before they gave workers protection against "monomer rash". omg I still remember if you got that liquid plastic on your skin anywhere, it would immediately absorb, and then it would have to "cure" out of whatever layer of skin it penetrated, hence the rash. Days and days of itchy burning skin. We used gallons of acetone all through the day, that was the illegally stored stuff that leaked in to the Petaluma river, and so on to superfund status.
Those are anecdotal, and if you know the history of industry in California, you also know about the mercury poisoning, and the tons of pesticides poured over practically everything in agriculture. Also, we are an oil state, last year Aliso Canyon biggest worst methane release ever, cancelling out all other conservation efforts.
I forgot the name, but some California billionaire made http://saveourepa.com/climatechange.html
for keeping the EPA climate change data available, I think he's heavily invested in alternatives, so there's that. I don't know what will happen if I can't research these things, I guess I'll eventually forget about them, except what's right in my face getting polluted, like I see so many bad actors in the wine-grape industry today it never ends.
Somehow just the words environmental protection comfort me. Thinking I have an agency is even better, but not if it's all bullshit. How would I know? Except what's right in my face. I'm thinking without the EPA there will be more pollution and that's a big bummer for me.
Thanks
@Nastarana Yea, you're so totally
Yea, you're so totally right! Corporate America would never, EVER pollute and they care so very much about clean air and clean water! We should always trust billionaires to safeguard our environment. The EPA is one stop place for all those "job killing regulations" the republicants keep yammering about. smh
The real SparkyGump has passed. It was an honor being your human.
@Nastarana Trump doesn't have the
Trump doesn't have the guts to go after Monsanto. No way, no how.
I'm forced to admit that if I were in a battle with the CIA and possibly up to 17 other intelligence agencies (isn't that what we have now?) I might not take them on, either, but I don't think he ever would have in the first place.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
@Nastarana I don't at all believe
I don't at all believe the EPA does more harm than good. I think the EPA is severely limited in what good it can do.
"More for Gore or the son of a drug lord--None of the above, fuck it, cut the cord."
--Zack de la Rocha
"I tell you I'll have nothing to do with the place...The roof of that hall is made of bones."
-- Fiver
I've been trying to ignore that guy for years and years, but
people just refuse to shut up about him. Then they wonder how he got so damned popular.
"The object of persecution is persecution. The object of torture is torture. The object of power is power. Now do you begin to understand me?" ~Orwell, "1984"
If you asked me...
People who work in factories need as much air time as possible (item2). Similarly, foreign heads of state, especially places Americans don't know anything about (item 6). Just don't point the camera at the giant orange doofus, and you can provide analysis anytime he opens his mouth (while you mute that noise).
“We may not be able to change the system, but we can make the system irrelevant in our lives and in the lives of those around us.”—John Beckett