It is time to demand more from your brain.
I believe that most people in my LinkedIn network are fairly intelligent.
Yet far too many are led down the garden path by news media organizations, politicians, and other influential officials.
For example, many believe that they are well informed because they are followers of such popular news sources as the New York Times, the Economist, the Globe & Mail, the Times of London, and the Telegraph.
As soon as someone tells me that they follow any of those organizations, my internal response is always: “Oh boy, this is not going to go well … but I will still give it a shot.”
I try to delicately point out that followers of such media outlets are almost always ill-informed on the big issues, and that they would be better served subscribing to an accurate news source such as BIG Media Ltd.
Here is how the conversation goes typically:
Mainstream Media Fan (MSMF): “So are you saying that you believe your little start-up has more accurate news coverage than the New York Times?!”
Me: “Yes – and it is not even close.”
MSMF: “That is preposterous. Have you considered seeking professional help?”
Me: “Yes, in fact I sought the help of many accomplished professionals to help me introduce an elevated form of journalism.” (An editorial team worth celebrating)
MSMF: “The Times has a long list of award-winning journalists who are leaders in their industry.”
Me: “Yes, but unfortunately they are part of a deeply flawed system.”
MSMF: “How so?”
Me: “The journalists at the leading news sites are typically excellent writers who cannot help but get sucked into the sensationalism vortex. The mainstream news organizations – and nearly all alternative news media outlets – are focused on the SIZE of their audience, rather than the INTELLIGENCE of their audience. They need to maximize eyeballs to keep advertisers, sponsors, and management happy. The journalists focus on producing material that will shock or scare you so that you keep coming back every day.
“And with the 24-hour news cycle, they also produce far more content than anyone would ever need. The journalists are under great pressure to come up with a lot of shocking material, and that pressure is inversely correlated with journalistic integrity.”
MSMF: “I still call BS.”
Me: “Speaking of BS, have you noticed how terribly inaccurate your favourite news site has been in covering such things as COVID-19 and climate change?”
MSMF: “Oh, now I get it; you are just another crazy conspiracy theorist.”
Me: “Well, it is true that I am crazy – crazy about journalistic integrity. I believe it is better to have an editorial team consisting of high-integrity, accomplished scientists who can write well, as opposed to good writers who in order to cover complicated issues must rely on testimony from experts … who, of course, have their own agendas, which are often not aligned with the common good. Do you mind if I send you some links to articles from BIG-Media.ca and your top news source so you can compare the respective accuracy and educational value?”
MSMF: “Actually, I need to go dry my hair.”
Me: “But on your LinkedIn profile, you appear to be completely bald …”
MSMF: (crickets)
Don’t be like MSMF. Have some faith in your brain’s ability to think critically and better understand the bald-faced lies that you are being fed.
