Sat Morn Chat n Eat: Is Victimhood Increasingly Being Used as a Marketing Ploy?

The reserved room is a little chilly. Bring an extra sweater. Or two!!

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Are “causes”, interest groups, and individuals in a struggle to "own" and exploit “victimhood”?

Does the media employ emotionally-charged victim stories to influence public opinion and to gain higher ratings?

Have the "real" victims somehow been marginalized while others profit either in dollars or through their popularity or exposure?

And who ARE the "real" victims anyway?

Does the National Football League have a sincere interest in the victims of breast cancer (or in encouraging 'awareness') or are they only about adding women viewers to their broadcasts as some contend?

Finally, who benefits most from the increasing collection of "tell all" books, plays, docu-dramas, films, conferences, and public speakers addressing bad parents, bad children, bad bosses, bad clergymen, bad sports coaches, and bad everyone else who have somehow wronged them?

Here are a few links to generate initial discussion. Feel free to post your own links in the comments section.

http://www.philosophersbeard.org/2011/11/cult-of-victimhood.html

http://drsanity.blogspot.com/2005/12/idiots-guide-to-victimhood-getting-it.html (http://www.philosophersbeard.org/2011/11/cult-of-victimhood.html)

http://www.ratlands.com/?page_id=14 (http://www.philosophersbeard.org/2011/11/cult-of-victimhood.html)

CAVEAT: It is very easy for our discussion to degenerate into a liberal v conservative argument. With this said, let's try our best to avoid this line of discussion.

With this said, the following sub-issues ARE fair game: race, sex, sexual preference, religion, ethnicity.

No-Show policy: people who RSVP yes and don't show will be banned from future events. If you've actually shown up to at least one event, much leeway will be given. "No show" includes canceling the day of.

We're an eclectic group that meets to respectfully exchange ideas about controversial topics.

Our group is more focused on learning and hearing different view points than winning a debate. We try to keep the discussion respectful and encourage devil's advocates. It's a chance to talk with and learn from people you would never meet in your existing circles. The conversations are moderated to keep things friendly.

The rules are pretty simple: be nice, keep it short and sweet (no lectures), and stay on topic.

We'll start around 10:45 and go until 12:30.

We'll have a local author in attendance who is very close to the topic.

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