The fact that people are surprised is a huge part of the problem. When people say over and over what they will do, and then do it, and then say that they will do it again... at some point it might behoove others to actually listen?
Some, like Jon Stewart, warned people for literally decades that allowing the fourth estate (news media as the external check that balances everything) to be bought out would seal the end. The only surprise there was the speed with which it all happened, and given the external events that helped bring it about, even that should not have been so surprising.
Because it's happened before, see e.g. Brexit, and it's happening again now in most places around the world, even supposed strongholds like Canada and Germany. Although almost universally nearly everything I see across the Threadiverse is the notion that everywhere else is immune - it's like each commentor individually thinks that "yes it's happening everywhere else, but not to ME, where I live". Almost nobody wants to take responsibility to listen, learn, and own up to personal biases that could help to move forward intelligently.
Okay then. Fuck it, we ball I guess.