Taibbi writes “This book is intended to help start a conversation about how much of our disdain for each other is real and how much of it is a product of the media machine.” Taibbi takes a very critical look at the current political media atmosphere in this book.
The book samples several ways that the media divides us. The book outlines the 10 rules of hate. For example rule number three is “Hate people not institutions.” The book also argues that political media has been set up to mimic a sporting event where you must always root for your team.
Taibbi notes “People need to start understanding the news not as the news but as just such an individualized consumer experience. Anger just for you. This is not reporting it is a marketing process designed to create rhetorical addictions and shut any non consumerist doors in your mind.”
The book contains information regarding sources, polling, Russia gate, Donald Trump and much more. He notes how the media typically distracts us from the important stories and notes “as people the more separate we are the more politically impotent we become.”
The book contains several entertaining stories. It also contains profanity throughout. Taibbi warns us “Today pockets of media consumers demonize each other calling for dueling crackdowns. We have become our worst enemies and the longer the cycles play out the more authoritarian our future will look.”
At times the book seemed long and some of the chapters could have been shorter but overall an interesting read. I rate this book 3.5 out of 5 stars.
“What about Roxane?” Alexander asked.
“Your prisoner bride?”
“Such disrespect is worthy of death!”
“There is no possible way that you could love her or that she could truly love you.”
“What gives you the insight to speak so assertively about matters you know nothing about?”
“Daughter of Oxyarthes, the man who surrendered the Iron Gates to you, makes for a very political marriage.”
“Continue,” said Alexander.
“At a feast celebrating your latest victory a number of young women were brought in for entertainment. You spotted one of them whose beauty far surpassed the others and you decided on the spot to marry her once you learned she was the daughter of Oxyarthes. You needed to cement a strong relationship with the local leaders. What better way to do this than through marriage? You didn’t share a common language and never even spoke to each other beforehand. She never was given a choice. So she is your prisoner bride.”
“You have a vague outline of the past. I suppose it is remarkable that you have as much ...
