Thank you for this excellent analysis and summary of Fox News. Even armed with the facts, it is difficult if not impossible to educate a devoted Fox News viewer. In order to have a relationship with my mom, son and other long time friends, I’ve chosen to not discuss the news and not respond when they bring something up. Other when mom (95 yo) said the immigrants were eating the pets. I couldn’t let that slide.
My mom’s idea of watching other channels is News Max and Oan.
The documentary The Brainwashing of my Dad helps explain the how and why of this phenomenon.
I’m sorry, Ev! Ugh Newsmax and OAN are even worse - that’s so frustrating.
I’ve been wanting to watch “The Brainwashing of my Dad” but haven’t been able to bring myself to do it yet. It’s probably time - thanks for reminding me of it!
It's a great article explaining Fox. But what struck me most and tugged at my heart was the very first section speaking about the division and isolation from families who are lost in the Fox bubble. I am in the exact same position you described. Most of us know the evil facts about Fox. Pointing out the facts to those in the bubble doesn't help. It only raises their defenses. I would love for you to devote an entire article on ways of resolving the family divisions created by Fox. Speak more on the pain it causes, share ways people were able to help family members to escape the lies and delusions or how one can cope with the separation from loved ones. As much as I've tried, I have no answers. The only glimmer of hope I've had is asking them questions about some of the dogma and propaganda they believe and staying calm and nonjudgemental. I recently was in a discussion with my sister about abortion, defunding Planned Parenthood, etc. I used small steps of questions (though I knew the answers). "How do you think the laws should be? What about medical emergencies or situations of rape?" Again not confronting her answers. Then I asked her if she remembered when we were children and our mom was in the hospital at Christmas. They had let her come home for a few hours on Christmas day but she had to go back. I reminded her that Mom had been having trouble with a pregnancy. The baby had died and she was unable to miscarry. She became very I'll and labor was induced. I asked my sister, "What do you think would have happened to Mom if those abortion laws were in place at that time?" I only got a hint of understanding from her. But at least there was a crack in the bubble and she was thinking for that moment. So I'd love to hear more about this area of repairing the damage and/or dealing with the loss of family to the Fox black hole of delusion. Thanks for letting me ramble. This is close to my heart.
I love this comment so much, and especially appreciate the suggestion for a future piece.
I give you so much credit for having calm conversations with your family members.
You can “ramble” any time in the comment section here! Although it’s really sad to read that other people are experiencing the same heartbreak, it helps me feel less alone. Hoping to hear from you again in the future!
And this has greatly contributed to where we are today. I very much want to email this to my strongly opinionated 90 yr old Fox News watching Dad. He is not well, and my need to maintain our bond outweighs my ego and I doubt it would change anything. Facts do not seem to matter anymore.
I’m in the same spot as you, Laura. And I couldn’t agree more that this is a major reason we are at this turning point in the US. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I think this has almost everything to do with where we are today. It would be interesting to know the percentage of Trump supporters that watch Fox exclusively. I’m betting 85 percent. And that nearly 100 percent of them cannot be moved by facts that contradict Fox News. A source that constantly falls back on an assertion that they are an entertainment network and has, as the writer points out, paid out nearly $1B for lying about 2020 election fraud. And they’re not done paying her as there are other suits pending and of course they are paying huge fees to attorneys to defend them.
I am 100 percent in favor of free speech and perhaps the lawsuit route helps cure this malady. But when we have had evident violence in the streets and a misinformed public that seeks to overthrow our form of government, I’m not sure free speech should get to trump all other aspects of our constitution. You can bet that if these anarchists get their way, free speech will be one of the first freedoms sacrificed. Hell, they’re already banning books!
If it seems the people close to you have lost the ability to think for themselves, it is likely they are under the influence of Fox. I truly wonder how the talking heads on that network — who nightly pretend to “inform” people — live with themselves. Yes, I realize they do it “for the money.” But they must be some of the most miserable souls on the planet.
My relationship with my mother and father has steadily been deteriorating over the past decade. When pressed, I finally got them to admit that they think they are mutilating teens genitals, and aborting children at the end of the third trimester. I lost it. Those things aren’t only untrue, they are actively dangerous. Anytime I talk about anything that conflicts with their crazy worldview they punish me, their only son, by not talking to me for as long as they can. I’m losing them and it’s killing me. I want my mother and father back, like they were when they were raising me. I admired those people.
I told my mother that if she walked into a psychologist’s office and said the things she believes, they would try to lock her up. I don’t know how to reach them to pull them out of this. I wish I had some help.
Thank you for this excellent analysis and summary of Fox News. Even armed with the facts, it is difficult if not impossible to educate a devoted Fox News viewer. In order to have a relationship with my mom, son and other long time friends, I’ve chosen to not discuss the news and not respond when they bring something up. Other when mom (95 yo) said the immigrants were eating the pets. I couldn’t let that slide.
My mom’s idea of watching other channels is News Max and Oan.
The documentary The Brainwashing of my Dad helps explain the how and why of this phenomenon.
I’m sorry, Ev! Ugh Newsmax and OAN are even worse - that’s so frustrating.
I’ve been wanting to watch “The Brainwashing of my Dad” but haven’t been able to bring myself to do it yet. It’s probably time - thanks for reminding me of it!
It's a great article explaining Fox. But what struck me most and tugged at my heart was the very first section speaking about the division and isolation from families who are lost in the Fox bubble. I am in the exact same position you described. Most of us know the evil facts about Fox. Pointing out the facts to those in the bubble doesn't help. It only raises their defenses. I would love for you to devote an entire article on ways of resolving the family divisions created by Fox. Speak more on the pain it causes, share ways people were able to help family members to escape the lies and delusions or how one can cope with the separation from loved ones. As much as I've tried, I have no answers. The only glimmer of hope I've had is asking them questions about some of the dogma and propaganda they believe and staying calm and nonjudgemental. I recently was in a discussion with my sister about abortion, defunding Planned Parenthood, etc. I used small steps of questions (though I knew the answers). "How do you think the laws should be? What about medical emergencies or situations of rape?" Again not confronting her answers. Then I asked her if she remembered when we were children and our mom was in the hospital at Christmas. They had let her come home for a few hours on Christmas day but she had to go back. I reminded her that Mom had been having trouble with a pregnancy. The baby had died and she was unable to miscarry. She became very I'll and labor was induced. I asked my sister, "What do you think would have happened to Mom if those abortion laws were in place at that time?" I only got a hint of understanding from her. But at least there was a crack in the bubble and she was thinking for that moment. So I'd love to hear more about this area of repairing the damage and/or dealing with the loss of family to the Fox black hole of delusion. Thanks for letting me ramble. This is close to my heart.
I love this comment so much, and especially appreciate the suggestion for a future piece.
I give you so much credit for having calm conversations with your family members.
You can “ramble” any time in the comment section here! Although it’s really sad to read that other people are experiencing the same heartbreak, it helps me feel less alone. Hoping to hear from you again in the future!
And this has greatly contributed to where we are today. I very much want to email this to my strongly opinionated 90 yr old Fox News watching Dad. He is not well, and my need to maintain our bond outweighs my ego and I doubt it would change anything. Facts do not seem to matter anymore.
I’m in the same spot as you, Laura. And I couldn’t agree more that this is a major reason we are at this turning point in the US. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
I think this has almost everything to do with where we are today. It would be interesting to know the percentage of Trump supporters that watch Fox exclusively. I’m betting 85 percent. And that nearly 100 percent of them cannot be moved by facts that contradict Fox News. A source that constantly falls back on an assertion that they are an entertainment network and has, as the writer points out, paid out nearly $1B for lying about 2020 election fraud. And they’re not done paying her as there are other suits pending and of course they are paying huge fees to attorneys to defend them.
I am 100 percent in favor of free speech and perhaps the lawsuit route helps cure this malady. But when we have had evident violence in the streets and a misinformed public that seeks to overthrow our form of government, I’m not sure free speech should get to trump all other aspects of our constitution. You can bet that if these anarchists get their way, free speech will be one of the first freedoms sacrificed. Hell, they’re already banning books!
I agree, Pat. If we had news sources that just reported straight facts without spin or trying to stay in favor with a politician, we wouldn’t be here.
I would love to pst this o Xitter and Blue Sky, John Michael. Please let me know if that would be OK.
Hi Kevin! I’d be honored if you shared this!
If it seems the people close to you have lost the ability to think for themselves, it is likely they are under the influence of Fox. I truly wonder how the talking heads on that network — who nightly pretend to “inform” people — live with themselves. Yes, I realize they do it “for the money.” But they must be some of the most miserable souls on the planet.
The Last time I watched Fox News was November 5,2008. I haven’t even tuned in to them for almost 17 years.
My relationship with my mother and father has steadily been deteriorating over the past decade. When pressed, I finally got them to admit that they think they are mutilating teens genitals, and aborting children at the end of the third trimester. I lost it. Those things aren’t only untrue, they are actively dangerous. Anytime I talk about anything that conflicts with their crazy worldview they punish me, their only son, by not talking to me for as long as they can. I’m losing them and it’s killing me. I want my mother and father back, like they were when they were raising me. I admired those people.
I told my mother that if she walked into a psychologist’s office and said the things she believes, they would try to lock her up. I don’t know how to reach them to pull them out of this. I wish I had some help.
I’m so sorry, Brandon. Truly. My parents’ beliefs are very similar, and I empathize with your pain.
I hope you’ll stay in this community and keep commenting.