Thanks for another wide-ranging and informative article.
I was reminded of an old joke: During the Cold War, Americans intercepted a shipment of condoms bound for the Soviet Union. Discussions took place about what to do. Some ideas involved itching powder, undetectable holes etc. Someone asked what size they were and was told "extra large.''
It was decided to relabel them all as "small" and deliver them to their destination.
I know sometimes people sniff at this "gatekeepers of the truth" thing — but it's not bragging. It was just true! Someone had to make a call of what went on TV or in the newspapers, and that fell to us. Now it doesn't. So we need to convince people that the thing we're putting out is more honest, efficient, thoughtful, and context-driven than the firehouse of information on social media, or than the speeches of our leaders. It's tough work and we are, generally, fucking it up.
But bad actors are taking advantage of our fuck ups.
"fuck up" implies unintentional, but if the firehose gave us glimpses of other "facts", we have to question whether there was intention or not.
Just last night, I was watching the news (sorry, I can't remember the story) and the spoken words presented "facts", but at the same time, pictures were flashed on the screen which represented a biased interpretation of the facts. A less discerning viewer might have had an opinion inculcated into their mind.
A few months ago, I saw a clip of the newsdesk of MSNBC or CNN or Fox in which a person was lamenting the influence of social media. I can't remember the exact words, but it was like, "They're telling people what to think, and that's our job!"
Thanks for another wide-ranging and informative article.
I was reminded of an old joke: During the Cold War, Americans intercepted a shipment of condoms bound for the Soviet Union. Discussions took place about what to do. Some ideas involved itching powder, undetectable holes etc. Someone asked what size they were and was told "extra large.''
It was decided to relabel them all as "small" and deliver them to their destination.
Fantastic.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1748366347036176592
I think her comments are bang-on!
I know sometimes people sniff at this "gatekeepers of the truth" thing — but it's not bragging. It was just true! Someone had to make a call of what went on TV or in the newspapers, and that fell to us. Now it doesn't. So we need to convince people that the thing we're putting out is more honest, efficient, thoughtful, and context-driven than the firehouse of information on social media, or than the speeches of our leaders. It's tough work and we are, generally, fucking it up.
But bad actors are taking advantage of our fuck ups.
"fuck up" implies unintentional, but if the firehose gave us glimpses of other "facts", we have to question whether there was intention or not.
Just last night, I was watching the news (sorry, I can't remember the story) and the spoken words presented "facts", but at the same time, pictures were flashed on the screen which represented a biased interpretation of the facts. A less discerning viewer might have had an opinion inculcated into their mind.
A few months ago, I saw a clip of the newsdesk of MSNBC or CNN or Fox in which a person was lamenting the influence of social media. I can't remember the exact words, but it was like, "They're telling people what to think, and that's our job!"