Anger media can be defined as companies that operate by presenting stories with a "Hook" to get the reader interested and then wound up. The reader is exposed to an "ain't it awful, the country is going to hell" meme.
Liberal and conservative media are both guilty. They get the reader engaged, wound up, pissed off, and eager to read or view more of the same thing. By watching only their favorite angry media sites the consumer become convinced that things are awful.
This system works very well and keeps people agitated. The media get their readers angry, watching or reading and being exposed to advertising which makes the media corporation rich. Pundits who used to be fairly balanced have now gone far left or right. This may be because their views have changed, but more likely is that it brings them more money. They have sold out.
Our political parties and candidates do the same thing. Their focus is a little different. The party out of power demonizes the other party, getting the viewer convinced that the other party is awful and must be replaced. The country is going to hell, and only can be saved by electing our party.
The even-handed sites that give both sides are not as interesting, don't get as many customers, and lose out on money. And it is apparent that both the talent and media companies have shifted left or right to cash in.
This is not a new thing - we have always had yellow sheet "journalism". But our electronic media has made it worse. Any wanna be pundit can put his views online with a blog (me!) or video. And our electronics make it possible to consume content 24/7.
Back in the good old days we only had a few media companies and they tended to be centrist. Now we have many, and many of them take a left or right slant.
The bad thing is that the viewer ends up with a terrible view of our country. Which can lead to depression and anger. And of course people tend to only watch the stations that reinforce what they already know.
The Answer? Don't read so much news, and certainly don't spend too much time viewing and reading bomb thrower media. Don't only read the media that you agree with. Reading both sides of the question will make you fair and balanced. And don't just read or view yellow sheet media.
Take a walk. Watch a good movie. Think positive.
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