The populists’ slipperiest lieThere’s a deliberate ambiguity and innuendo that has becom
The populists’ slipperiest lieThere’s a deliberate ambiguity and innuendo that has become a hallmark of modern discourse, especially online and among the populist, Trumpy right. A way of dancing around statements, an incessant ‘not really, but seriously … ’ 'I’m just asking questions.’ 'I’m just joking.’ 'I don’t know, hahaha! But actually …’ It’s frustrating, trollish — intentionally so. And perhaps the most powerful troll of all is the old populist lie: 'A lot of people are asking.’What makes this populist lie truly devious is not only how slippery it is. 'A lot of people are asking’ is self-perpetuating rubbish. Insofar as it convinces, the lie grows. The trouble is the answer doesn’t change per the number of askers. The truth isn’t determined by 'a lot of people.’ -- source link
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