The shift in media’s business model played a critical role in Trump’s victory

Like many populist leaders, Donald Trump skillfully exploited the media obsession for immediacy and page views. In French journalism, especially in radio and TV, we have an expression that says it all: “He (or she) is a bon client”. Literally, a good customer, an endless provider of soundbites and juicy quotes that will jump to the top…

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Why ‘Fantastic Beasts’ Fails As a Political Allegory | The Daily Dot

The political conflict of the Harry Potter novels was simple yet insightful: Some witches and wizards are racist scumbags who only value pureblood families, and the worst of them joined Voldemort’s crusade against muggleborns. J.K. Rowling explored this fascist allegory through examples of everyday discrimination, magical hate crimes, and the rise of an oppressive government,…

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Xenophobia and Canada, Bryan Caplan | EconLog | Library of Economics and Liberty

Are Americans racist and xenophobic?  As usual, two package deals angrily competing for our attention.  The first says: Americans are obviously racist and xenophobic.  The second says: No, you’re just being paranoid. Neither package deal sees America clearly.  For racism, Avenue Q has it right: while (almost) everyone’s a little bit racist, the key word…

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