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August 27, 2011
"The news must always sound important"
Those hoping to retain authority must avoid contradicting themselves. Once you have said something is so, it must continue to be so, despite evidence to the contrary. You must stick with what you have already reported, for as long as you can, to avoid the naked emperor problem. -- RealClearPolitics - Libyan Good Guys and Bad GuysPosted by Vanderleun at August 27, 2011 2:04 PM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
The fact gathering of "news" has been outsourced to whomever happens to be in the reporter or editor's phone book. To fill out the rest of the content-free news report cliches and conventional wisdom are pressed into service.
For about 10 years I've been getting my news and info from week-delayed podcasts. This gives me instant perspective and time to let the hysteria mature before I'm subjected to it. You quickly learn speed is the enemy of understanding. You'd be better informed by reading books on random subjects and ignoring the news. When the subjects of those books pop up in the news you will have a depth of knowledge and you won't confuse volume for importance.
Tune out for the calm and tune in to deeper sources for the understanding. Nobody on network news can possibly be well-versed in every subject so they make up for their ignorance by amplifying the emotion and cliches.
Posted by: Scott M at August 27, 2011 2:59 PM
"Nobody on network news can possibly be well-versed in every subject so they make up for their ignorance by amplifying the emotion and cliches." Just like their favorite folks, Congresscritters and Presidents.
Posted by: St. Thor at August 28, 2011 10:02 AM