Trump and the ‘Society of the Spectacle”

In this article, the Trump administration is analyzed through its effects on society. The author, Robert Zaretsky, mentions how humans are overwhelmed with the strong influence of pictures and technology. The citizens in America have become immune to the constant pixels pushed in their faces, making it hard to differentiate real and fake news. A quote that really stuck out to me was, “Images have hijacked what we once naively called reality” (Trump and the ‘Society of the Spectacle’). Due to the recent events pertaining to Trump, citizens can’t be sure of what to believe because of the constant lies being told. It has come to the point where the truth is seen as a hypothesis.

            Zaretsky poses a question to the reader which causes much consideration and made me relate this issue to my own life: “whether we love Trump or hate him, is it possible we are all equally addicted consumers to spectacular images he continues to generate?” (Trump and the ‘Society of the Spectacle’). The president’s administration has caused there to be many negative lasting effects on the American people due to the uncertainty of information and pixels broadcasted to the masses. I think it depends on the person, but everyone is somehow affected by these spectacular images on different, personal levels. The relentless media makes it almost impossible not to be affected by the fake news. The article ends with stating how society should focus on more local politics within their community as an option to solving the commotion and lies Trump has promoted.