Hashtag Mentality and Today’s College Students

americanthinker.com ^ | 2/5/2017 | Sean Mathews

[rktman]

We are at a point in America where much of the populace has become no more than a reactionary mob. While assorted protests may appear to be an exercise in our liberties such as freedom of speech as well as a natural desire to rebel, the reasons are more prosaic: the ignorance of our citizens, primarily the college-aged. It’s compounded by a lack of real-world experience and by social media, a dangerous combination. While a lack of understanding of the world isn’t necessarily the fault of any college-aged citizen, social media is another matter, with its use playing a special role in the creation of reactionary mobs.

Take the highly charged executive order halting Middle Eastern refugees signed by President Trump. As is the case of most executive orders, few individuals took the time to read it. Instead, the masses reacted based on what they saw on social media. Some enterprising individual created the deceptive hashtag “MuslimBan”, and the outrage began. Obviously #MuslimBan is total fallacy, because it is in fact not a Muslim ban. But social media isn’t about facts, it’s about clicks, it’s about drawing attention, regardless of one’s political affiliation. It is also the primary means of news and conversation for this generation of college-aged citizens.

[rktman]

As usual, the first lie out of the gate gains the day. Another example would be the phone call (contentious?) with Australia. From somewhat contentious(?) to "Trump called the Australian PM an asshole and hung up on him." Or, Sean Spicer's response about hiss-panics NOT on Trump's cabinet to, "President Trump only wants the best and brightest on his cabinet so he's not picking any Hispanics." I even saw on a post somewhere with this questionable comment from the libs: "Did he(Sean Spicer) say Ben Carson is one of the best and brightest?" WHAT? Really mr. or mrs. or mx "urinalist"? Probably one of the best pediatric neuro-surgeons in the world and you doubt his ability? Who came from Section 8 housing and a single parent home? Sad damn state of affairs. #youguyssuck

[Tax-chick]

I know that bashing college students is a popular pastime, but this author doesn’t really make a case. He uses “reactionary” when he should use “reactive.” He seems to believe that Sudan and Somalia (countries affected by the recent Trump order) are in the Middle East. He seems to believe that network television once carried “objective,” “real news.”

I could go on, but since he’s unlikely to read my comments and submit a rewrite, I won’t bother. I give it a B-, rather than a C+, simply because I did not observe any homophone howlers.

Our Laz is a much better analyst and writer than this guy.

[Lazamataz]

Our Laz is a much better analyst and writer than this guy.

You make me blush.

[Tax-chick]

I’m just being honest.

[rktman]

We don’t want to see it. LOL!