It is whispered by some that only by abandoning our freedom, our ideals, our way of life, can we build our defenses adequately, can we match the strength of the aggressors. … I do not share these fears.

Pres. Roosevelt
–  Fireside Chat – May 26, 1940

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Roosevelt was, I think, one of the very first people to use mass media to consistently address concerns of Americans.  He lived in a time of recession and America was fighting World War II.   Banks were closing.  Everyone was a Nazi in disguise.  Loved ones where dying over a thousand miles away.

People where scared and didn’t have cell phones, Facebook, or streaming movies for a distraction.  The most they had then was a radio and, maybe, a television.  Back in this time, there wasn’t fake news.  All news was true because it couldn’t be verified.  People trusted the media to keep the dark corner creepy crawlies away.  Anyway, why should the media lie?   There wasn’t anyway to verify the facts.  But, that was back when the news didn’t rely on advertising as much either.

President Roosevelt’s voice came though, calming, thoughtfully explained what the government was doing, what he wanted to do, and what was happening.  The chats may not have elevated fears, but at least they gave insight, something to hold as truth, a candle in the darkness.

It removed the president from his White House pedestal and connected to Americans.  It reminded everyone that he was an American, just like his listeners.   There will be mistakes, but he would do his best and inspired others to do so.

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Fast forward 2016/2017

The use of media is to be fairly expected.  Every now and again, a president might make a State of the Union or provide some sort of lecture here and there.   It’s broadcasted – or not – on television.  Rarely does it make it to radio.  The president’s words can be streamed, filmed, recorded, and altered the world over.  It’s mass marketed,  globalized, and translated into untold languages.

Who are we kidding?  What’s said isn’t “just” for Americans.   We’re a minority in the universal equation.   The shadow audience, the who might be listening, has become more important than the real audience.

The personalized Roosevelt touch is gone.   The politicians don’t just speak to Americans, but to the world.  The world doesn’t want to wait.   Americans want it and we want it now.  Everything, no matter what it is.

And so…. income the tweets and Facebook and Reddit and… whatever the poison of the week is.

Unlike Roosevelt’s thoughtfully crafted chats – each word chosen for purpose and clarity – videos are put up for flair.  There’s usually a typing limit and surrounded by advertisements.  Since these outlets are not traditional news dispensers, first reactions are mostly emotional and personalized.  After all, the purpose of these types of mass media is find out who is sleeping with who, keeping in contact with grandma, and for soccer moms to exchange snipes.

Sure, these places post news, but it’s personalized news.  When something floats across that’s official, the first trained response is to personalize it.   After all, mass social media is all about the mass society.

To bastardize – “All for me.  Me for all.”

When a tweet from Trump or someone comes across people are going to take it personally and probably completely misinterpret the message.

Okay, I’m not defending Trump, but recognize the facts.
–   Americans aren’t used to a president sending out tweets multiple times a day.  We’re not used to presidents using slang, malformed sentences, or emojis.  We have a dictionary just for slang terms and more words from other cultures are being incorporated in a greater rate now than every before.  “Too long, didn’t read” is the norm reaction in a busy lifestyle, no matter how important the information.

And, you have to admit, the verbal eloquence Roosevelt enjoyed has become increasingly rare as we become more digital – as have or interest.   If the media isn’t funny or emotionally moving in someway, we don’t care.  That’s why no one watches NASA.  People only watch presidential debates because we’re hoping for some sort of fight.  Super Bowl commercials are usually more anticipated than the actual Super Bowl.

Okay, sure I’m generalizing a lot here and probably going off on a bit of a tangent, but I guess the bottom line is people are still scared, just like during World War II.  The world is in conflict and, who knows, WWIII could be any day… hopefully not… but everyone seems to be posturing for it.

That’s a tangent.  Anyway, at least Trump, like Roosevelt, is trying to keep touch like Roosevelt did – although in a less graceful, eloquent, and clear way.  He’s continually giving tweets for people to talk about and new outlets to analyze.

Important:  People are talking about what’s going on…  which is a good thing.  Hopefully, Americans are slowly becoming more aware of the world.  It’s easier to share and address a common fear than one hidden in the shadows.  People can rely on each other for thoughts and opinions.  The fears is something that we can all share.  Although it can rip America apart, I would prefer to think it could draw us together.

If there really is nothing to fear but fear itself, there is no fear here.
We know everything, even if the message is malformed by 140 characters.
Knowledge can vanquish fear.

There’s just a lot of obstacles to overcome.

I’m definitely not one for rose coloured glasses, but I hope that once some self-colonoscopies are completed, Americans will be stronger and we’ll carry on… just like we always have…  until the next drama.