E185. Thomas de Zengotita Explains The Narcissism Loop

Mediated Series - Part 1: 

Published in 2005, Mediated: How the Media Shapes Your World and the Way You Live in It , became Bridget's bible for understanding the changing media landscape and how it is affecting our society and behavior. Now she sits down with author Thomas de Zengotita for a multi-part series discussing the book chapter by chapter. In Part 1 they cover the introduction to the book, how Thomas wound up writing it, his unique JFK assassination story and the insight it gave him into the role public emoting plays in media, the concept of "The Blob", and why the closed loop of being both the celebrity and your own audience in daily life is unprecedented in its power. They also examine the difference between attention and recognition, the realities of QAnon, Princess Diana's funeral, and how fanaticism flourishes in a world of unlimited choices.