Why Do Most People Who Work In The Media Seem To Be Left Wing Labour Supporters?

[dave50]

I am talking here about those who work in television, film and the arts in general and always bragging about it as though it is some kind of badge of honour. Why is this?

[joggerjayne]

Is it because its considered fashionable to support a party who (in principle, but never, ever in practice) think that everyone should be equal.

Actually, if there was a chance of becoming "equal" with Tony "£80m" Blair, I might become a Leftie, too. I already read The Guardian, so I'm half way there. I'm just waiting for my cheque to arrive.

[Gavmacp]

I had to smile when one of Tony Blairs family got married and the newspaper said that they held the reception at Tony Blair's 10 million pound house. If that's socialism I want some of it!

[Baldric]

They're called 'Luvvies' here, and it goes with the territory!

[Gavmacp]

I did economics and a lot of them were lefties.

[Booldawg]

Because they've all been to art school.

Its about fitting in. In you want to be in with the 'in crowd' then you have to follow the fashion which creates a false image of individualism. Clothes, music, even politics.

As socialism is nothing more than a whimsical ideology it fits in perfectly with a naïve student mindset, protected from the real world in its own little bubble. I guess they never grow out of it for fear of being accused as 'non intellectual' and a 'dissident'.

Was having this conversation the other day, whereby most builders etc I know vote Tory. This is because they know money flows down in a Capitalist society. If the rich are kept rich they will have a new kitchen fitted or an extension built. Even though from an ideological point of view the blue collar man should vote Labour, these people live in the real world and see the bigger picture.

[brionon]

Hear's a thought-maybe they believe in Socialism ! Hadn't thought of that had you ?

[brionon]

I'M waiting ---

[dave50]

Yes brionon but why are there such a high proportion "believing in socialism" as you put it?

[naomi24]

They profess to believe in socialism because it's 'the thing to do', but they don't live their lives as socialists. Lofty idealism is all very well - if it doesn't become reality.

[joggerjayne]

Believing in Socialism ... in what sense?

Not in the sense of fairly and equally distributing wealth ??

That's the underlying basis of Socialism.

For most people working in the media, their idea of redistributing wealth is to get more and more of it for themselves.

I don't remember the bit in the News where the big chiefs at the BBC said they should be paid a bit less so that the BBC tea ladies and telephone operators could have a better wage.

Did I miss that News item?

Or do they not believe in THAT bit of Socialism? The equality bit?

[andy-hughes]

I would love to be able to argue against the concensus of opinions posted thus far - but I am completely unable so to do because they are all absolutely correct!!

[Mosaic]

When I worked in the arts and heritage sector, women who wanted to get on had to act unmarried, and men who wanted to get on had to act camp. This isn't a reflection of my views of gender or sexual politics, but a realistic description of a work environment. If you admitted to having hetersexual commitments you became invisible. In other words, a toxic situation. I suspect something similar has operated in certain areas of the media, with being pink in politics if not elsewhere scoring brownie points.

[ichkeria]

"With being pink in politics if not elsewhere scoring brownie points. "

You have to laugh ...

[joggerjayne]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2856908/The-91-BBC-executives-paid-Prime-Minister-Eleven-including-Director-General-BBC-One-controller-head-radio-earn-100-000-Cameron.html

"When many of the corporation’s staff have seen annual pay rises of little more than 1 per cent, the 91 bosses are taking home a combined £19million a year"

I'm just missing the bit where they actually "believe" in Socialism.

I mean, if "Socialism" means pocketing £19million a year, while giving the staff a 1% pay rise ...

That's the thing with Socialism. You've got to be really wealthy to be able to afford it. If I was one of the bosses sharing £19million a year, I'd happily be a Socialist.

[Mosaic]

Yes indeed JJ, just as the bed-hopping undertaken in the arts posed and poses as some kind of intellectual superiority.

[The Builder]

"As with the Christian religion, the worst advertisement for Socialism is its adherents."

................ George Orwell

[Svejk]

All men are equal but some are more equal than others. ;-)

[Hypognosis]

Superb quote from The Builder, there. Was Orwell referring directly to Russia, there, I wonder?


@Svejk,

the exact quote, I hardly need remind you is "All -animals- are created equal but some are more equal than others".

The age profile of mansions in Russia, relative to 1917 and the final breakup, could make interesting reading. How might they build one during the Communist era without rumours getting out? (grim thought, that)

[mibn2cweus]

Being in the spotlight they might simply be trying to minimise their chances of getting shot at by appeasing the vast majority of on lookers.

[sevenOP]

Conditioned views talking about conditioned views, not realising the irony.