Navigating Chaos: Damage Control in American Discourse

This chapter delves into the tumultuous consequences of a recent election, highlighting Trump's cabinet appointments and the surge of conspiracy thinking. It examines how media outlets are adjusting their strategies amidst this upheaval and outlines three key approaches to managing the discourse in American politics.

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As we ride out the aftershocks of the election and prepare for Trump 2.0, it’s as if nothing is bolted down. Trump’s cabinet appointments signal a disregard for competence or temperament as he seems to prioritize fervent deep state conspiracism and anti-woke aggression in his choices. The chattering classes (both legacy and new media) are on the front lines of having to adapt in real time.

What to do? Double down on anti-fascist resistance, turn the disinformation detection devices up to 11, chart a course for sanguine neutrality, normalize the chaos as the world burns, or maybe give this rag-tag group of billionaire outsiders a chance to move fast and break things—in the hope that some of it was not working anyway?

We look at three different modes of damage control currently ripping through American discourse.

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