On a more serious note, there isn't a huge difference. Sure, the media may seem to all be pushing one story/agenda, but the same things happen on the internet as well. Much as we like to think we are individualist free thinkers, humans are very much a social animal. It doesn't need to be anything nefarious, The Guardian was covering the same things everyone else was from the same angle for nearly-identical reasons to the redditors who repost nearly identical meme formats. A few months back, everyone was posting "stinks" memes because that's what got upvotes. News outlets hopped on the 'YouTube will corrupt your kids' bandwagon because that is what was getting clicks and ad impressions.
It's not that complicated of a phenomenon; there certainly doesn't need to be a spooky man behind the curtain to explain it. Even Hacker News is subject to this, where all of a sudden everyone is deleting their Gmail accounts. There are just broad trends in society, and it shouldn't be surprising that many people/organizations follow them.
> On a more serious note, there isn't a huge difference.
Did I say there is?
> Sure, the media may seem to all be pushing one story/agenda, but the same things happen on the internet as well.
Have you ever considered that much of the "internet" ( what you really mean is social media ) is now controlled by the media/PR/etc people as well? After all, it was one of the traditional media's demands of social media - that traditional media gets special treatment.
> The Guardian was covering the same things everyone else was from the same angle for nearly-identical reasons to the redditors who repost nearly identical meme formats.
"Redditors". A social media company owned by a major media/publishing company has the same problems as other media companies. Amazing.
> News outlets hopped on the 'YouTube will corrupt your kids' bandwagon because that is what was getting clicks and ad impressions.
No. They generated the news. That's the difference between facts/news/etc and propaganda. They created something that didn't really beforehand. Not only did they do it, they did it "collectively" across national boundaries, which should make one start questioning things.
> It's not that complicated of a phenomenon;
I know. It's pretty self-evident if you take a minute to think about it. It's obvious why it is the way it is and ultimately why it has to be this way.
> there certainly doesn't need to be a spooky man behind the curtain to explain it.
Do you by any chance work in the news industry or politics? This is such a pathetic attempt. Just too obvious.
> There are just broad trends in society
The "broader trends in society" are created by the elites. That's how society works. After all, it's the elites who created society and its necessary tools - propaganda, law and force.
> and it shouldn't be surprising that many people/organizations follow them.
Did I say it is surprising? Of course the people follow. Otherwise, propaganda companies would be useless and wouldn't exist.
<s>Wait, are we talking about the internet?</s>
On a more serious note, there isn't a huge difference. Sure, the media may seem to all be pushing one story/agenda, but the same things happen on the internet as well. Much as we like to think we are individualist free thinkers, humans are very much a social animal. It doesn't need to be anything nefarious, The Guardian was covering the same things everyone else was from the same angle for nearly-identical reasons to the redditors who repost nearly identical meme formats. A few months back, everyone was posting "stinks" memes because that's what got upvotes. News outlets hopped on the 'YouTube will corrupt your kids' bandwagon because that is what was getting clicks and ad impressions.
It's not that complicated of a phenomenon; there certainly doesn't need to be a spooky man behind the curtain to explain it. Even Hacker News is subject to this, where all of a sudden everyone is deleting their Gmail accounts. There are just broad trends in society, and it shouldn't be surprising that many people/organizations follow them.