I’ve become fascinated by the methods that Media Matters for America uses, especially since I’ve seen work that I’ve done on Pigford fall victim to them. This is part one of an occasional series I’ll do pointing out the weird little fallacies and mind tricks they play.

Today’s Method : Heavy Self-Selective Editing

This one defies any sense to the point that it becomes something Obi-Wan would be impressed by. Basically, MMfA posts something that contains information that would make any impartial observer ask a question or two. You don’t hide the information in any way. No editing is involved, no

apparent trickery.

Then — abracadabra! — watch as nearly every comment ignores the information. Ignores, as in acts like it never even existed. This works even if the video is 99% suprising or shocking information. Poof! Huh?

My example is this video.

Watch as J. Christian Adams explains in detail a disturbing trend at DOJ of ignoring FOIA requests from right-leaning groups. He explains this at great length.

Shazzamm! Comment after comment and no mention of this.


“…says a man speaking at TrogloPac… a beacon for the craziest, most hateful bigots and crackpots”

“It’s like watching the most boring play ever. Decent acting, though.”

“I just want to know how any black person can sit thru this racist crap. There were a couple blacks that spoke already to the group. How can they then put on someone that talks like this.They claim to not understand why they are rejected by the community..they know exactly what they are doing!!!

I can’t wait to hear what Rep Allen West says when he speaks!!!I bet he will straighten out these racists.”

Etc etc., just total non sequitur — until finally:

“It would be interesting to see the breakdown of FOIA requests. It’s a complicated law, and your results depend on what you ask for.”

Hey! Somebody paid attention. That’s actually an argument! May be correct or incorrect but it’s at least an argument, sort of. But 80% or so of the comments just totally ignore the material presented in a post that is just a video.

Don’t waste thousands on Final Cut Pro, just post things that run counter to the MMfA narrative and let Heavy Self Selective Editing do the rest!