Foxocracy: Inside the Network's Playbook of Tribal Warfare
Written by Tobin Smith
Narrated by Danny Campbell
3/5
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About this audiobook
From a 14-year Fox News contributor, guest anchor, and two-time New York Times bestselling author comes an unprecedented insider’s account of the Fox News playbook―the production secrets and manipulation strategies Fox uses to influence viewers, divide families, weaponize the daily discourse of news and public opinion, and addict a core audience on right-wing rage and fear.
Fox News did not start America’s culture war―but they have the manipulative and destructive genius to exploit it. For the first time, a Fox News veteran―fourteen years as contributor and guest anchor―exposes and diagrams the pages within the Fox News playbook that the liberal and progressive candidates will be fighting against in 2020. This is the very same playbook that Fox News used to move 12% of Independents to vote Trump in 2016 and win previous the Democrat strongholds of Ohio, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania.
Author Tobin Smith takes readers behind the scenes of the actual production of the “Fair and Balanced” opinion pieces and panel segments that feed a ravenous right-wing audience. How are these productions rigged so that right-wing pundits always win? What techniques does Fox News use in manipulating its viewers’ tribal right-wing instincts: to addict them, to activate a hatred toward partisan enemies; and to hook them on feelings of intellectual and cultural superiority?
Filled with never revealed conversations with Fox News executives and opinion programming producers, breaking down the collateral damage among friends and family caused by the waging of an endless culture war, Foxocracy brings incendiary proof from an insider and on-air talent of audience manipulation psychology and production tactics. And perhaps even more frightening, this book reveals how that the playbook is now being used by Fox News rivals like MSNBC and CNN.
Tobin Smith
Tobin Smith appeared in more than 2,000 opinion panel segments on Fox News during his 14-year tenure as a paid FNC Contributor and Guest Anchor. Contractually obligated to be at Fox News’ New York City studios at least 48 weeks a year to tape the weekend talk show “The Bulls & Bears” on Fridays, he was the only fulltime right-wing panelist always in the NYC studios, constantly asked by segment producers to play to role of the “hitman” or the panel member counted on to make the final right wing argument for the right wing audience at home. He also guest hosted 60+ episodes of Fox News and Fox Business Network programming from 2000-2013. While working with producers inside Fox News NYC and socializing with Fox News staff at favorite watering holes after work, he learned never-before revealed strategies Fox News production staff used to rig the outcomes of FNC opinion debate segments. Smith is also a New York Times bestselling author whose books include ChangeWave Investing 2.0 and Billion Dollar Green.
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Reviews for Foxocracy
5 ratings2 reviews
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Tobin quickly and sharply dissects the propaganda machine that is F*x News. Tobin circles the wagons pleading with a mixture of personal stories and psychology backing how F*x applies the tricks of the trade. I appreciated the moments where he peels back the curtain to show psychological tactics used to create an addictive dopamine high using fear and anger. Sadly, Tobin is so condescending and bitter, which works from a F*x News stance; however, from an opposing side makes him appear like an elitist, playing right into their hands. Additionally, his use of negative name-calling will automatically turn off the audience this book could end up helping. If he would have been able to tone down his former F*x persona I probably would have rated it higher.“F*x News - the oxycontin of tribal identity media or aka tribal identity porn.”“Why does F*x News go after older, white men? Because they are generally more culturally resentful and more prideful than older women, plus they have fewer close friend relationships.”**This was a review copy given for an honest review**
1 person found this helpful
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Foxocracy: Inside the Network's Playbook of Tribal Warfare by Tobin Smith is both an enlightening read and a frustrating experience.The biggest positive this book offers is substantiated proof that the destruction of US democracy was and continues to be a conscious choice of those at Faux News/Entertainment. They lied about what they were doing, they lied about lying about it. Not a big shock there. While those with functioning brain cells knew that Faux News/Entertainment was destroying the country, we were always unsure to what extent those involved, from Ailes all the way down to every technician working the shows, were aware of what they were doing. Now we know.The parts of the book that are essential but less captivating are the sections where Smith mentions the experts in psychology and communications he contacted. He does use those ideas correctly and, unlike a student of psychology mentioned, he does do so correctly. but he explains those concepts directly as they apply to the situations he is addressing, not as an academic abstract, those are for journal articles. But young students get a little uppity with regard to their area of study until they gain a little more experience so it is understandable. This is not a scientific or theory based book, this is a real-life book that uses theory to show how a few warped individuals can destroy a society through intentional and conscious manipulation of the most vulnerable among us.The frustrating part of reading this book is simply Smith's style. He has always been an advocate for bluster and hyperbole, and for using the very strategies he exposes in this book. It gets tiresome when you don't care for the attempts to manipulate, especially when the additional methods aren't necessary. Though, since a part of his target audience seems to be those still addicted to Faux News/Entertainment, perhaps his use of the style of what they like serves a purpose. but for the rest of us, it means we will likely need to read the book in short chunks to avoid getting too frustrated.Definitely worth the read and certainly won't hurt to try to help any addicted people you know by giving them a copy. But the book alone won't, I don't think, be enough. You'll need to be there to hold their hands and help them through the withdrawal pains. It will be worth it if you think compassion and humanity are worth saving.Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
1 person found this helpful