Conservative Ideas and Media

Originally posted at Progressive DispatchesI want to share a great post from Akkam’s Razor about the perceived negative bias towards conservatives and their ideas.

What is it about conservatives that they perceive bias anytime one of their outstandingly brilliant ideas get challenged? Or better still, that they are crucified for their beliefs socially and economically? From Mashable’s Mark “Rizzn” Hopkins :

“I’m going to come out and say it here, brand me how you like, but I lean libertarian to conservative in my political beliefs, and on my personal blog and podcast, have made no bones about that. It’s given me a unique opportunity to meet other folks in high tech, folks that you know and have heard of from big time reputable companies and Web 2.0 startups, and who’s services you likely use. Many of these same folks have in confidence have told me that as a conservative, they don’t really feel comfortable publicizing their political affiliations for fear of it affecting their business negatively.”

Rzklkng, the author of Akkom’s Razor, offers the following explanation:

In the marketplace of ideas, where anyone can contribute, and anyone can evaluate, conservatives consistently deliver inferior products. Even more importantly, the longer and greater their ability to peddle their wares, the stronger and more extreme the public rejection of them.Historically, the only way conservatives have been able to get a fair hearing is to speak to the choir. I’m looking at you, FOXNEWS, along with the usual cadre of partisan subjects, such as Rush Limbaugh, the Washington Times, and the gaggle of other wingnut welfare recipients. CNN and MSNBC are too liberal? Launch a conservative cable channel. Wikipedia has a liberal bias? Launch Conservapedia. The only place where bad ideas get considered is when there is a monopoly on ideology, a complete lack of balance, and an audience that dare not challenge the party-line.Don’t blame the medium for the public’s rejection of your products. It’s not because they are horribly biased by the liberal press-media-academia-and now internets, it’s that your ideas suck, and that they pander to the lowest common denominators of our society. Conservative media are affirmative action for bad ideas.

I really couldn’t of said it better myself. Thinking about it, conservative media really do provide affirmative action for bad ideas. Just look at the huge well-financed conservative think tanks that produce papers and books and then can invest in major marketing of their ideas.That is why I have been excited about the continued growth of the Center for American Progress which has become a great counterweight to the Heritage Foundations of the world. You should check out their amazing ThinkProgress blog and Campus Progress, the Center’s comprehensive effort to strengthen progressive voices on college and university campuses nationwide and to empower new generations of progressive leaders. I am slightly biased given that I recently started a Campus Progress chapter at the University of Pennsylvania. Join our Facebook group here.