We tired.
According to a recent opinion piece in the Business Insider, stressed-out Americans are tuning out on conspiracy theories. The reason is simple — there are just so many out there in cyberspace confusing folks. The Trump family is the worst offender.
Over the Memorial Day weekend, the Trumps burst forth with an absolutely mind-boggling array of delusional and unproven conspiracy theories that are just. plain. wrong.
Son, Eric, complained loudly about the coronavirus being yet another Democratic plot to bring down his father’s election to ruin. While close to 100,000 Americans are busy dying, Donald Trump, Jr. showed his “creative” side. He tweeted a meme name-calling Joe Biden as a pedophile.
Instead of establishing a coherent national strategy to fight COVID-19, Big Daddy Trump spends his days creating a fictional “Obamagate” scenario in connection with the origins of the Russia investigation. But, as we all know, these are distractions away from the real crimes of this Administration: chaos, disorganization, nepotism and political favoritism.
The most troubling of all these conspiracy theories are those which seek to suppress the vote. Mail-in voting has become the latest focus of 45’s rage-tweeting weekends. Without any proof, Trump screams about the perils of mail-in voting. Thieves will break into mailboxes. Votes will be altered. Immigrants will try to cast ballots.
It’s all a spin, a way to discourage people from voting — period. Add to that, Trump’s latest dictatorial show to try and stop Twitter from fact-checking his constant stream of unsubstantiated verbal gobbledygook.
It used to be that the news cycle lightened up on the weekends. No more. Now, the Trump Administration and its minions conjure up conspiracy theories 24/7, 365.
So, what’s the effect of all this noise? Fatigue, confusion and a sense of apathy keep the public disengaged, trying to cover their ears. Why NOT go to the beach? At least it’s a break from all the political noise. After months of being cooped-up in their homes, Americans are looking for any kind of escapism —- even at the risk to their very lives.
Snafus calculating data in Georgia, for example, means that the public feels unsure about “official” statistics coming from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That data is important because it indicates when it’s safe to go back outside for work and play. But, who to believe?
The result leaves us more polarized and unsure about our leadership and how to live our daily lives. This is dangerous because it inflames more partisanship and fear according to an upcoming new study, America’s Divided Mind, soon to be released by a non-profit, Beyond Conflict. The organization’s researchers warn that “there is a wide divide between perception and reality across key measures of the Beyond Conflict Polarization Index™”.
So, what’s the bottom line? Americans, especially those of color who are dying and losing businesses at a disproportionate rate to others, can’t afford the luxury of completely tuning out. Take mental health breaks when needed. Work in the garden, dance in Zoom Zumba sessions, bake some bread. But, don’t stop seeking verifiable information. Knowledge is STILL power. Even today.
