1/ Thread: Is this “nightly news”, as Lester Holt describes it? Or is this deceptively powerful storytelling, meant to shape our perception of reality, towards a particular agenda? Video in next tweet...

2/ Is he reporting the facts of what’s happening? Encouraging us to think for ourselves, make up our own mind? Or is he telling us verbatim what to think, how to feel, and what to say to our friends and neighbors next time we talk with them? Decodes below.

3/ “By now we’ve all stiffened our spines to the shocks and surprises of 2020. The news that the president and First Lady have been infected with covid...”

How to think: Everyone feels similarly
How to feel: Unsurprised

4/ “...is unfortunate and it’s alarming.”

How to think: it’s unfortunate.
How to feel: alarmed.

5/ “But news of their sickness is hardly a wake up call. 7 million Americans who have been infected by this virus certainly don’t need a wake up call.”

How to think: it’s hardly a wake up call
How to feel: apoplectic, at the assertion that I would need to “wake up”

6/ “Nor do the families of the two hundred and ten thousand who have died.”

How to feel, continued: offended by the assertion that anyone would need to “wake up”.

7/ “If this virus has taught us anything, it’s that this is not a hoax.”

How to think: this is not a hoax
How to feel: angry at anyone who might question whether or not it could be a hoax, or even contain elements of a hoax - because common sense, you idiot.

8/ “Privilege and even the special status of the president of the United States, offers no immunity.”

How to think: this just shows that no one is immune
How to feel: terrified, vulnerable, outmatched

9/ “We know what the top experts say are the best defenses against Covid. Avoiding crowds and covering our faces.”

How to think: top experts know the best defenses.

How to feel: smart, because we all know what the experts say, and he’s complimenting my intelligence.

10/ “But “I told you so” only serves to take us right back down the political rabbit hole. That has cost us time and far to many lives.”

How to think: I am above partisan politics, unlike you know who

How to feel: angry that he’s murdered so many people

11/ “If there is a wake up call here, let it be an awakening of common sense.”

How to think: the only thing to take away from the president getting Covid is that he wasn’t using common sense

How to feel: he’s an idiot who has no common sense

12/ “To do what we have to do, to beat this thing.”

How to think: i must be prepared to do whatever it takes to beat Donald Trump, get him out

How to feel: committed to whatever it takes - and whatever I’m told it will take

13/ “That’s nightly news.”

How to think: I’ve just heard the news
How to feel: comfort in my understanding of reality.

14/ “Thank you for watching everyone, I’m Lester Holt. Please continue to take care of yourself, and each other.”

How to think: My attention is appreciated by my trusted friend Lester Holt
How to feel: Recognized for my self care but scared for myself and everyone

/end