Behind the Curtain: America’s reality distortion machine
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Behind the Curtain: America’s reality distortion machine headshot headshot
Jim VandeHei
Here’s a wild thought experiment: What if we’ve been deceived into thinking we’re more divided, more dysfunctional and more defeated than we actually are? Why it matters: Well, there’s compelling evidence we’ve been trapped in a reality distortion bubble — social media, cable TV and tribal political wars — long enough to warp our view of the reality around us. The big picture: Yes, deep divisions exist on some topics. But on almost every topic of monthly outrage, it’s a fringe view — or example — amplified by the loudest voices on social media and politicians driving it. No, most Christians aren’t white Christian nationalists who see Donald Trump as a God-like figure.
Most are ignoring politics and wrestling with their faith. No, most college professors aren’t trying to silence conservatives or turn kids into liberal activists. Most are teaching math, or physics, or biology. No, most kids don’t hate Israel and run around chanting, “From the river to the sea.” On most campuses, most of the time, students are doing what students have always done. No, most Republicans don’t want to ban all abortions starting at conception. No, most Democrats don’t want to allow them until birth. No, immigrants who are here illegally aren’t rushing to vote and commit crimes. Actual data show both rarely happen — even amid a genuine crisis at the border. No, most people aren’t fighting on X. Turns out, the vast majority of Americans never tweet at all.
No, most people aren’t cheering insults on Fox News and MSNBC in the evening. Turns out, less than 2 percent of Americans are even watching. Reality check: But our politics are hopelessly divided,
Jim and Mike! You’re naive!
Yes, current politics, and particularly the House, seem hopelessly dysfunctional. But this flows in part from majorities so narrow that fringe figures can hijack institutions, again particularly the House, and render them dysfunctional. The actual dysfunction runs much deeper for structural reasons, such as redistricting, low voter turnout in off-year elections and geographic sorting (Democrats in cities, Republicans in rural areas). What has changed is political activism invading everything, from football to beer to Target. Here, too, most normal people just drink, watch football, and shop —without giving a damn about the politics of it all. This fringe nonsense plays out in the social media bubble before oozing into our lives.
Share of U.S. adults who say the following rights and freedoms are important to the country’s identity
Survey of 1,282 U.S. adults conducted March 21–25, 2024
Stacked bar chart showing share of U.S. adults who say certain rights and freedoms are important to the country’s identity, from a survey conducted March 21–25, 2024 of over 1,200 U.S. adults. The vast majority of adults agreed that rights such as the right to equal protection, right to vote, freedom of speech, freedom of religion and freedom of the press were at least somewhat important. In particular, over 90% of adults felt the right of everyone to equal protection under the law, the right to vote and freedom of speech were extremely or very important. Extremely or very importantSomewhat importantNot too or not at all important
Right of everyone to equal protection under the law
91%
7
Right to vote
91
7
Freedom of speech
90
7
Right to privacy
88
10
Freedom of religion
84
11
5
Right of people to assemble peacefully
83
13
Freedom of the press
77
17
5
Right to keep and bear arms
54
24
22
Data: AP-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. (Margin of error: ±3.8 points.) Chart: Alice Feng/Axios
This new poll by the AP and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research shows a striking amount of agreement on some very big topics. Roughly 90% or more of Americans — Republicans and Democrats — agree the following rights and freedoms are extremely or very important to a functioning America: Right to vote.
Right to equal protection under the law.
Right to freedom of religion.
Right to freedom of speech.
Right to privacy.
Hell, almost 80% think the right to own a gun is important to protect.
“If you get a bunch of normal people at random and put them in a room together and chat about issues, there’s a lot more convergence than you might imagine,” Michael Albertus, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, told AP. That’s been our experience as we travel the country and dig deeper into how people are getting and sharing “news.”
The “shards of glass” phenomenon we wrote about two weeks ago — we’ve shattered into information bubbles based on age, politics, professions and passions — is real. And it makes people fuzzy about what’s really happening and what’s really true inside and outside of their bubbles. Between the lines: The acceptance of former President Trump’s language and tactics by so many Republicans can be partly explained by this reality distortion phenomenon. His base often feasts off edge-case outrages — wacky liberal professors saying wacky things, illegal immigrants committing brutal but isolated crimes, surges in shootings in specific cities.
These edge cases rocket through podcasts, social media and on Fox. It seems like the apocalypse — when, in most cases, the numbers show that in reality, things are next to normal.
Similar edge cases pulse through liberal channels and the word police. This helps explain how “LatinX” went mainstream, then got dumped.
Truth is, there’s little market in the modern media environment for calm analysis of genuine holy-crap developments such as the explosion of green energy progress in red states, or once-in-a-generation job market and rising wages among minorities that started under Trump and has been largely sustained under President Biden.
There’s little talk on left or right about the entrepreneurial dynamism still unfolding in America (look at America’s early AI edge), or fading poverty, or bipartisan consensus on handling a rising China.
And even with all of Washington’s dysfunction, there have been big bipartisan victories we didn’t pay enough attention to
Even those of us in the media, who are paid to marinate in news and trends and reporting, find it hard to determine if something that seems big on X or partisan media is moving the needle with more than a few loudmouths.
A big reason: X, Facebook and other platforms are powered by the people with the biggest followings — which almost always flows from being the most provocative, partisan or pugilistic. The algorithms amplify it. This can make small things or small divisions seem huge.
Here’s a thought experiment to end on (Jim does this during speeches after testing it on his kids and friends):
In a given year, you meet scores or more people you spend enough time with to appraise their character. Think about them: How many do you think are decent, normal people who do volunteer work, help shovel after a storm, look out for family and neighbors?
The answer will help pop your reality distortion bubble.
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This article is the most subtle, and thus perhaps the most insidious, form of both sides ism.
Only because the author ignored all of the unhinged Democrats.
Like calling for Trump to be impeached before he even took office.
Like Democrats calling for people to "get in the faces" of members of the Trump administration.
Or Schumer threatening Supreme Court Justices.
Or Brandon himself threatening to use the US military not once but twice on his opponents. The first time bathed in a blood red light flanked by two US marines in dress uniform.
Or Pelosi's famous tearing up of Trump's State of the Union address.
Or Pelosi defying House rules and not letting two Republicans sit on the Jan 6th committee; while appointing two TDS driven former Republicans. Abuse of power, and vulgarity. We have come to expect nothing less from Democrats.
Not to mention the Democrats weaponizing of the DOJ, FBI, CIA, and IRS against their political opponents. Lawfare is the new way. Not just against Trump; but trying to keep independents off of the ballot. The only way Democrats can guarantee a Brandon win is by making sure he has no one to run against.
Democrats are just pissed because Trump used to be one of them; knows all of their tactics; and can match them vulgarity for vulgarity. Too bad he can't match their abuse of power.
Wonder how the author missed all of that? Could it be because of the FBI being used to silence conservative voices on social media?
Now we bring you the "But Trruuummmmppppp!!!!!!!" rebuttal- which is all Democrats and leftists have.
“If you get a bunch of normal people at random and put them in a room together and chat about issues, there’s a lot more convergence than you might imagine,” Michael Albertus, a political science professor at the University of Chicago, told AP. That’s been our experience as we travel the country and dig deeper into how people are getting and sharing “news.”
Pretty much reflects the reality of everyday life in the USA. But to those who exist on the fringes there is only one side.
The Bothsides Argument Will Kill Us All
I’m seeing a lot of traditional, DC “bothsides” reporting lately, arguing that this is at some level a “normal” election between a center-left Democratic party and a center-right Republican party.I’m seeing a lot of traditional, DC “bothsides” reporting lately, arguing that this is at some level a “normal” election between a center-left Democratic party and a center-right Republican party.
This morning, Axios published a piece by Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei titled “Behind the Curtain: America's reality distortion machine,” which caused a stir in political media circles. This morning, Axios published a piece by Mike Allen and Jim VandeHei titled “Behind the Curtain: America's reality distortion machine,” which caused a stir in political media circles.
It leads out with a question: “Here's a wild thought experiment: What if we've been deceived into thinking we're more divided, more dysfunctional, and more defeated than we actually are?” and proceeds to make some pretty good arguments about why we’re not a dystopian hellscape. I think they missed the big point, and this piece will stand out as a Washington Normalcy Bias exemplar for a long time.It leads out with a question: “Here's a wild thought experiment: What if we've been deceived into thinking we're more divided, more dysfunctional, and more defeated than we actually are?” and proceeds to make some pretty good arguments about why we’re not a dystopian hellscape. I think they missed the big point, and this piece will stand out as a Washington Normalcy Bias exemplar for a long time.
My friend Molly Jong-Fast lit them up on Morning Joe, My friend Molly Jong-Fast lit them up on Morning Joe,
She had precisely the right response: “But you understand that the conventional framing elevates the autocrat.”She had precisely the right response: “But you understand that the conventional framing elevates the autocrat.”
No, not every American — in fact, not even a majority — is locked in the day to day of political struggle. Yes, there are silos. Yes, the algorithmic hypnosis of social media is real. No, not every American — in fact, not even a majority — is locked in the day to day of political struggle. Yes, there are silos. Yes, the algorithmic hypnosis of social media is real.
I cede I cede all all those points. America those points. America is is a nation filled with hundreds of millions of people who aren’t partisan jihadis, left or right. There really a nation filled with hundreds of millions of people who aren’t partisan jihadis, left or right. There really is is a desire for basic decency, decoupled from political rage, induced or not. a desire for basic decency, decoupled from political rage, induced or not.
They’re not wrong to make these points, and the America they describe is one we should crave—not being involved in politics every moment of the day is a luxury only present in stable democracies. They’re not wrong to make these points, and the America they describe is one we should crave—not being involved in politics every moment of the day is a luxury only present in stable democracies.
But they ignore the existential issue underpinning this all.But they ignore the existential issue underpinning this all.
We aren’t in a nation where the sensible center will survive if Donald Trump wins. We aren’t in a nation where the sensible center will survive if Donald Trump wins.
Only one side of the political argument wants their president to govern like a dictator. Only one side believes that the President is above the law — if his name is Donald Trump. Only one side of the political equation mounted an armed attack on the United States Capitol.Only one side of the political argument wants their president to govern like a dictator. Only one side believes that the President is above the law — if his name is Donald Trump. Only one side of the political equation mounted an armed attack on the United States Capitol.
Only one side has welcomed the “no enemies to our right” philosophy, which means their party winks and nods at the alt-reich, the white nationalists, and the rest of the Daily Stormer crowd. Only one side is banning books, diving deeply into the seas of culture war cruelty and persecution.Only one side has welcomed the “no enemies to our right” philosophy, which means their party winks and nods at the alt-reich, the white nationalists, and the rest of the Daily Stormer crowd. Only one side is banning books, diving deeply into the seas of culture war cruelty and persecution.
Only one side backs America’s enemies abroad and promises to hand Europe over to Vladimir Putin on a plate. I could recite the Bill of Condemnation all day, but you understand the point.Only one side backs America’s enemies abroad and promises to hand Europe over to Vladimir Putin on a plate. I could recite the Bill of Condemnation all day, but you understand the point.
The political movement that embraces the aforementioned horrors is MAGA, and its sole leader is Donald Trump. The political movement that embraces the aforementioned horrors is MAGA, and its sole leader is Donald Trump.
Once again, the world is playing chess, and Donald Trump is eating the pieces and crapping on the board, and instead of horror, the reaction is a shrug. Once again, the world is playing chess, and Donald Trump is eating the pieces and crapping on the board, and instead of horror, the reaction is a shrug.
This isn’t a regular election with typical outcomes. This isn’t a regular election with typical outcomes.
Ordinary people living ordinary lives who think politics doesn’t matter and that the world will go on as it has can’t grapple with what happens in a post-American Presidency. It seems a lot of Washington reporters can’t either. Ordinary people living ordinary lives who think politics doesn’t matter and that the world will go on as it has can’t grapple with what happens in a post-American Presidency. It seems a lot of Washington reporters can’t either.
Normalcy bias is the best friend of authoritarians. If you think the algo-driven bubble on social media is robust, nothing tops normalcy bias. This cognitive bias can play into the hands of authoritarian regimes or leaders in a few ways:Normalcy bias is the best friend of authoritarians. If you think the algo-driven bubble on social media is robust, nothing tops normalcy bias. This cognitive bias can play into the hands of authoritarian regimes or leaders in a few ways:
It plays to the natural tendency for people to underestimate the possibility of a disaster, dictator, or disruptive event coming to the fore. It lets people assume that things will continue as normal because they’ve always been that way. (Berlin, 1936, anyone?)It plays to the natural tendency for people to underestimate the possibility of a disaster, dictator, or disruptive event coming to the fore. It lets people assume that things will continue as normal because they’ve always been that way. (Berlin, 1936, anyone?)
It lulls people into complacency: they assume things will continue as they always have, and like frogs boiling in a slow pot, they may fail to recognize creeping authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic norms and civil liberties until it’s too late.It lulls people into complacency: they assume things will continue as they always have, and like frogs boiling in a slow pot, they may fail to recognize creeping authoritarianism and the erosion of democratic norms and civil liberties until it’s too late.
It makes people—even people reporting on it professionally—miss clear signals that a movement or regime is becoming more authoritarian, even when its leaders lay out their plans in broad daylight. It makes people—even people reporting on it professionally—miss clear signals that a movement or regime is becoming more authoritarian, even when its leaders lay out their plans in broad daylight.
Once you say, “It can't happen here,” there’s a high likelihood it’s already happening.Once you say, “It can't happen here,” there’s a high likelihood it’s already happening.
The normalcy bias makes people slow to react and resist authoritarian encroachments because they don't perceive the seriousness of the threat until it's too late.The normalcy bias makes people slow to react and resist authoritarian encroachments because they don't perceive the seriousness of the threat until it's too late.
Normalcy bias also rears its ugly head Normalcy bias also rears its ugly head after after the damage is done. Authoritarian actions are the damage is done. Authoritarian actions are emergencies, emergencies, you see. “The Caravan! Antifa! Transing the kids!” you see. “The Caravan! Antifa! Transing the kids!” demand demand temporary measures lulling citizens into acceptance of the worst…and the temporary measures seem to last forever.temporary measures lulling citizens into acceptance of the worst…and the temporary measures seem to last forever.
People convinced that the current system is immutable are less likely to make contingency plans or organize resistance against potential authoritarianism taking root. Trust me, the Never Trump folks screaming into the void for the last decade can tell you all about this one. People convinced that the current system is immutable are less likely to make contingency plans or organize resistance against potential authoritarianism taking root. Trust me, the Never Trump folks screaming into the void for the last decade can tell you all about this one.
It’s tempting to hope that societal inertia in the center will overcome the energy and danger on the MAGA flank. It’s tempting to hope that societal inertia in the center will overcome the energy and danger on the MAGA flank.
It hasn’t, and it won’t. It hasn’t, and it won’t.
Lots of repeated sentences in that screed. Weird!
But the fact remains that Biden is acting very much as an authoritarian dictator right now. It's enough to have rational people worried and concerned. He writes EO's willy nilly, ignores the Supreme Court and Congress when it comes to student loan forgiveness, files lawsuits against border states for trying to enforce existing laws....etc, etc.
Trump wasn't the authoritarian in his first term, and he won't be in his second. This article is just more hysterical leftist propaganda, and doesn't fool anyone.