Are you a conservative who feels like the media and entertainment industries are out to tear down everything you hold dear? It's not your imagination, and it's not right-wing paranoia. Derek Hunter documents this phenomenon and provides copious examples in Outrage, Inc.: How the Liberal Mob Ruined Science, Journalism, and Hollywood.
Part of the problem, especially with the media, is that "outrage fuels page views, and page views equal money." The click-driven economy determines what stories are promoted, the more outrageous the better. But they compound the problem with the selective outrage. If a celebrity is a known progressive, his or her problematic social media goofs are given a pass much more quickly than a more conservative person's goofs or gaffes.
Science has become infected by the bug of bias and progressivism. Scientists--or people who play scientists on TV--are promoted as experts in fields in which they have no expertise, simply because they are articulate and photogenic while promoting progressive talking points. Celebrities who have become famous for their skills reciting lines on the movie screen are sought out for their opinions on matters cultural and scientific simply because of their recognizability and popularity.
Hunter was counted among the Never Trumper conservative crowd in the 2016 election, and certainly does not act as a Trump mouthpiece. However, he does share Trump's frustration with the unbalanced reporting that dominates the airwaves and internet. Hunter's answer? Don't turn off media and entertainment, but be aware of the bias that permeates it all, and question everything. "Liberals are attempting to craft safe spaces where their views and opinions won't be challenged. Don't accept that." Hunter makes great arguments, provides abundant examples to support his thesis, and challenges the liberal stranglehold on the media. We would be wise to follow his lead.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!
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