Recently, a likely contender in the next presidential race complained about a type of “derangement syndrome.” It was a calculated strategy; he’s hoping to win over people who have a different “derangement syndrome.” Neither involved Trump.
The news has declared similar “syndromes” for everything from Taylor Swift to Harvard. Israeli-American economist Ed Yardeni made waves with warnings about AI Derangement Syndrome.
No one seems to realize what all this says about the media and our society. I explain in the latest episode.
The term predates Trump’s presidency.
In 2003, conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer coined Bush Derangement Syndrome. (He was also a psychiatrist, but this was clearly a non-clinical, tongue-in-cheek declaration.) Over the years, others followed. In this episode, I play you a clip from Rachel Maddow in 2010, diagnosing the Obama kind. Recently, former Republican Gov. Michael Steele assailed Clinton Derangement Syndrome.
The term is everywhere. As California Gov. Gavin Newsom prepares for a likely presidential run, he’s complaining about California Derangement Syndrome—a calculated attempt to frame his critics on the right as irrational. Simultaneously, he’s spreading nonsensical lies about Israel, exacerbating what fellow Democrat Rep. Ritchie Torres calls Israel Derangement Syndrome—a calculated attempt to appeal to the left.
(Full disclosure note - I was invited to be part of the premiere of a documentary by Jennifer Siebel Newsom in Los Angeles, before her husband Gavin was governor.)
Why are these syndromes everywhere? The news is hammering people with so many attacks and angry headlines that people’s minds become overwhelmed with negative associations. They’re unable to hear or accept anything positive about a topic they’ve been trained to hate.
It doesn’t have to be this way. A news agency could start doing a legitimate, three-dimensional job in covering anything—the good and bad. It could prioritize accuracy over anger, including in headlines.
ICYMI: It’s not all bad news. Here’s a reason to celebrate!
100! JOMO v. the News
In the fight for truth, it’s crucial to celebrate moments of triumph. Here’s one.
JL
P.S. Supporters: Share thoughts, questions, and links you want fact checked through this link below:
