It's the incentives. Pundits are 'paid' in attention, money, and institutional status markers. On the left, being extreme can get you attention, but little institutional respect, and the $ is a small pot of Patreon subs and Podcast ad revenue. On the right, it's the surest path to all three. - ThreadSky

explaintrade.com • 42 days ago

It's the incentives.

Pundits are 'paid' in attention, money, and institutional status markers.

On the left, being extreme can get you attention, but little institutional respect, and the $ is a small pot of Patreon subs and Podcast ad revenue.

On the right, it's the surest path to all three.

Reposted from Roland Smith

What I'm noticing is that, after while, the supposedly independent Rightist thinker's views start fusing with the headbangers. It doesn't work the other way - the headbangers do not learn and become more nuanced over time.

One might call it 'populist osmosis'.

Comments

kevconroy.bsky.social•41 days ago

@privateeyenews.bsky.social did a little segment on dogfooding.. feed Musks opinions, get, Retweet, get money. Musk sees a world full of his opinions, and so do we.

geordiekev.bsky.social•41 days ago

The cynic in me also says that public opinions of the rightwing pundits are in many cases adopted for personal enrichment rather than their true beliefs.

crd37.bsky.social•41 days ago

Especially as they desperately bid for Elon’s attention and a retweet that drives revenue for them

lizzieab.bsky.social•41 days ago

So they end up selling their souls, then, to appease initial nagging guilt, convince themselves into believing the divisive rhetoric that's getting them the attention, money and status is actually correct. A more extreme form of giving a platform to it by believing it protects "balanced reporting".

rhysneedham.bsky.social•41 days ago

Until, inevitably, someone better at it comes along and that just drives the vicious cycle of constant one-upmanship and radicalisation to keep ahead of the curve and the competition?

bartolomeo76.bsky.social•41 days ago

Rage-baiting is the term for it, and it’s the plague of our time. It should be demonetized, not rewarded.

eidsville.bsky.social•41 days ago

That’s a very valid point I think. As we will see these incentives within the MAGA/hard-right will effectively also apply to media, SoMe, misc public figures, etc, encouraging everyone who seek influence to comply to their agenda. Its effectiveness should not surprise us, rather we should worry!!