This reminds me of watching Ancient Aliens and laughing every time they say, "Is it possible?" (about every other sentence of the show begins with those words). MAGA has embraced Ancient Aliens Epistemology.
Yeah, I’m struggling with that, too. William Godwin was so sure reason and truth would always win out. Now we’ve got fake news, alternative facts, and persuasion by meme. Sigh.
Another factor here--we have repeatedly seen that they are jumping to conclusions. That 2 million figure could be both "true" and false. What else looks like a Social Security number? A taxpayer ID number. The reality is if you need to work with the tax system in any respect you probably need a number. It says nothing about work eligibility, residence or even personhood.
"Add to that motivated reasoning (Taber & Lodge, 2006), which reveals that people don’t process information like scientists, they process it like lawyers. They seek to defend their beliefs, not test them." I take strong exception to this generally. Lawyers "process information like scientists" all the time in that they determine what is true and what is not, and have an ethical duty to be candid and truthful with the Court. They DO argue what the facts might BE in terms of what is true and what is not and then argue how the law applies to the facts. I do agree that none of this applies to Trump's corrupt DOJ and right wing culture warrior scum counsel who push false facts and false narratives.
I would reply: The President can say anything he wants, it’s free speech. But it doesn’t stand up in a court of law. Because he just makes up his own facts. Like elections being stolen, or Ukraine started the war, or prices being down.
Totally different parts of the brain. The primal emotions of the amygdala - aka Lizard Brain. Fear and rage, fight or flight. Versus the reasoning, analyzing pre-frontal cortex that evolved later. Thinking, comparing, decision making.
Great work! Literally a cult leader. There was some chatter that the admin was in favor of raising taxes on millionaires.... A trial balloon only sent out for the base... A tax on millionaires will NEVER happen under a republican administration/republican house/republican Senate.... yet it's circulating as if it's true and that look " he really does care about the little guy".... Propaganda on an industrial scale... Remember Doge 5,000$ checks? many still believe this is coming! They don't need or want FACTS... just make me feel good or feel superior stories... just that stories.... Sad and honestly pathetic that humans allow themselves to be so easily manipulated....
Thank you. Watching MAGA believe what they were arguing was factual, while scolding the person asking the data to back up the whitehouse.gov factsheet was baby-town frolics
Its SORA AI using this prompt:
A satirical digital illustration of a political fair or street event. At the center, a bold red-and-white striped promotion tent stands tall with a large banner that reads in cult-like bold letters:
“The Cult of MAGA”
Just below it, in slightly smaller lettering:
“We Argue Facts. They Argue Feelings.”
Outside the tent, a MAGA promoter, a loud, red-faced man wearing a bright red “Investigate Hunter’s Laptop” T-shirt, is shouting passionately into a megaphone. His expression is intense and exaggerated, almost preacher-like, eyes wide with conviction.
Around him, there are scattered flyers on the ground with slogans like “Could Be True = Must Be True” and “Possibility is Proof.”
In the background, a few confused or skeptical onlookers glance at the scene, some holding actual documents and research folders, looking bewildered. One holds a sign that says, “Sources?”
The overall tone is darkly comedic and surreal, with slightly exaggerated features to evoke a sense of absurdity, cultish devotion, and cognitive dissonance. Use a visual style reminiscent of editorial cartoons mixed with digital realism, think hand-drawn meets political illustration, slightly caricatured but grounded.
When I was on Facebook, I got in an argument with some guy regurgitating specious trump propaganda. I methodically dismantled his arguments and supplied sources to back up my claims. In the end, when he ran out of talking points and was checkmated, he wrote, “You’re everything wrong with America!” So, instead of being mad at the people who lied and deceived him, he was mad at me for pointing it out. SMH.
This exemplifies how Faux Newspeak ended up dominating the media. Just validate their fans feelings for them and they'll keep coming back for more. It doesn't have to be the truth, indeed, it shouldn't be, because the truth doesn't validate how they feel.
Just an observation that many non maga folks also suffer these same logical weaknesses. I’d say a sizable majority do. In fact we all have mental weaknesses. Aside from that, you can see how evangelicals would be particularly susceptible to this bullshit.
Do you mean they obtain false social security numbers so they can secure jobs at coolie wages and enrich factory and business owners. I’m waiting Mr factual. Let’s not get carried away on factual.
Ok, so what if they were issued SS cards?. . Ya know what that means? It means that illegal or not they are paying SS taxes. They are paying into the SS system. They are getting paid real wages from someone or some Corporation. MAGA Morons: you understand the concept of “paying into the SS system”? That means if you’re a MAGA MORON and close to retirement those same illegal aliens with SS cards are helping to pay for your retirement benefits. MAGA: Making America Gag Again.
An additional point: it seems to me that when the Magas do think or try to rationalize their thoughts are driven by the emotions that have been instilled in them. Mainly, fear, anger, and hatred.
This reminds me of watching Ancient Aliens and laughing every time they say, "Is it possible?" (about every other sentence of the show begins with those words). MAGA has embraced Ancient Aliens Epistemology.
It wasn't a huge leap for evangelicals, or even for Calvinist 'Elect'.
If only reason had a chance.
Yeah, I’m struggling with that, too. William Godwin was so sure reason and truth would always win out. Now we’ve got fake news, alternative facts, and persuasion by meme. Sigh.
Advertising/Propaganda outpaced public education? It's almost like money is more important than ... What've ya got?
Another factor here--we have repeatedly seen that they are jumping to conclusions. That 2 million figure could be both "true" and false. What else looks like a Social Security number? A taxpayer ID number. The reality is if you need to work with the tax system in any respect you probably need a number. It says nothing about work eligibility, residence or even personhood.
They do get a ID number and it’s reported that they put billions into SS that they cannot receive.
You're missing my point. I'm saying that they might be counting total #s to citizens/permanent #s and concluding the rest are illegals.
Ok
"Add to that motivated reasoning (Taber & Lodge, 2006), which reveals that people don’t process information like scientists, they process it like lawyers. They seek to defend their beliefs, not test them." I take strong exception to this generally. Lawyers "process information like scientists" all the time in that they determine what is true and what is not, and have an ethical duty to be candid and truthful with the Court. They DO argue what the facts might BE in terms of what is true and what is not and then argue how the law applies to the facts. I do agree that none of this applies to Trump's corrupt DOJ and right wing culture warrior scum counsel who push false facts and false narratives.
I would reply: The President can say anything he wants, it’s free speech. But it doesn’t stand up in a court of law. Because he just makes up his own facts. Like elections being stolen, or Ukraine started the war, or prices being down.
Which is all the more 'reason' for him to gave always held all legal proceedings in contempt, just like Roy Cohn taught him.
*have always
Could be true becomes must be true if dear leader said it. That is definitely a cult mentality. The devaluation of fact checking is a cancer.
Anger and hatred aren’t the same as facts. How amazing.
Totally different parts of the brain. The primal emotions of the amygdala - aka Lizard Brain. Fear and rage, fight or flight. Versus the reasoning, analyzing pre-frontal cortex that evolved later. Thinking, comparing, decision making.
Great work! Literally a cult leader. There was some chatter that the admin was in favor of raising taxes on millionaires.... A trial balloon only sent out for the base... A tax on millionaires will NEVER happen under a republican administration/republican house/republican Senate.... yet it's circulating as if it's true and that look " he really does care about the little guy".... Propaganda on an industrial scale... Remember Doge 5,000$ checks? many still believe this is coming! They don't need or want FACTS... just make me feel good or feel superior stories... just that stories.... Sad and honestly pathetic that humans allow themselves to be so easily manipulated....
Love the newsletter! Who is the illustrator for the image this week?
Thank you. Watching MAGA believe what they were arguing was factual, while scolding the person asking the data to back up the whitehouse.gov factsheet was baby-town frolics
Its SORA AI using this prompt:
A satirical digital illustration of a political fair or street event. At the center, a bold red-and-white striped promotion tent stands tall with a large banner that reads in cult-like bold letters:
“The Cult of MAGA”
Just below it, in slightly smaller lettering:
“We Argue Facts. They Argue Feelings.”
Outside the tent, a MAGA promoter, a loud, red-faced man wearing a bright red “Investigate Hunter’s Laptop” T-shirt, is shouting passionately into a megaphone. His expression is intense and exaggerated, almost preacher-like, eyes wide with conviction.
Around him, there are scattered flyers on the ground with slogans like “Could Be True = Must Be True” and “Possibility is Proof.”
In the background, a few confused or skeptical onlookers glance at the scene, some holding actual documents and research folders, looking bewildered. One holds a sign that says, “Sources?”
The overall tone is darkly comedic and surreal, with slightly exaggerated features to evoke a sense of absurdity, cultish devotion, and cognitive dissonance. Use a visual style reminiscent of editorial cartoons mixed with digital realism, think hand-drawn meets political illustration, slightly caricatured but grounded.
When I was on Facebook, I got in an argument with some guy regurgitating specious trump propaganda. I methodically dismantled his arguments and supplied sources to back up my claims. In the end, when he ran out of talking points and was checkmated, he wrote, “You’re everything wrong with America!” So, instead of being mad at the people who lied and deceived him, he was mad at me for pointing it out. SMH.
Trump rapes 13 year old girls on EPSTEIN ISLAND.
This exemplifies how Faux Newspeak ended up dominating the media. Just validate their fans feelings for them and they'll keep coming back for more. It doesn't have to be the truth, indeed, it shouldn't be, because the truth doesn't validate how they feel.
Just an observation that many non maga folks also suffer these same logical weaknesses. I’d say a sizable majority do. In fact we all have mental weaknesses. Aside from that, you can see how evangelicals would be particularly susceptible to this bullshit.
Do you mean they obtain false social security numbers so they can secure jobs at coolie wages and enrich factory and business owners. I’m waiting Mr factual. Let’s not get carried away on factual.
Ok, so what if they were issued SS cards?. . Ya know what that means? It means that illegal or not they are paying SS taxes. They are paying into the SS system. They are getting paid real wages from someone or some Corporation. MAGA Morons: you understand the concept of “paying into the SS system”? That means if you’re a MAGA MORON and close to retirement those same illegal aliens with SS cards are helping to pay for your retirement benefits. MAGA: Making America Gag Again.
An additional point: it seems to me that when the Magas do think or try to rationalize their thoughts are driven by the emotions that have been instilled in them. Mainly, fear, anger, and hatred.