When I make a claim such as “Fifteen months after the launch of BIG Media , we have established an industry-leading level of accuracy and integrity in news reporting,” a typical response might be “Yeah, right – who the #$%! does this guy think he is?”
But hear me out.
Two years ago, disillusioned with almost universally irresponsible media coverage and a related increase in societal division and vitriol, I set out to create a trustworthy source of accurate news on the biggest issues.
I don’t believe that I am super intelligent or a person of the highest integrity. However, I am just smart enough to recognize that I was not intelligent enough to write thorough news stories on the most critical matters facing our society.
I am pretty good with numbers, and I can put a few sentences together, but I do not have the expertise required to compile and interpret the most important data, and to present it objectively and logically.
After assembling a business plan for ironically named BIG Media Ltd., I went to work recruiting excellent writers who also happen to be extremely intelligent and highly skilled in data interpretation and presentation. Oh, and they had to be high-calibre humans.
It started with Laurie Weston. She is a renowned data scientist and entrepreneur who created geophysical software that helps energy companies find high-quality oil and gas deposits. She is a great writer who cares about the future of this planet. Laurie’s article on excess deaths is a must-read: Analysis of excess deaths in 2020 reveals surprising deviations
Then I recruited Brad Hayes, another successful entrepreneur who is a doctor of geology, and an adjunct professor at the University of Alberta with expertise in water resource management, helium exploration, geothermal energy, and carbon sequestration. He is a great writer who cares about the future of the planet. Read Is it really ‘now or never’ to stave off climate disaster? for a sample of his high-level journalism.
Next was Lee Hunt, another brilliant data scientist who just happens to be a novelist, ironman triathlete, and mountain climber. Suffice to say, the guy does not mind putting in the work to get results. Lee has undertaken many deep dives to bring context to important matters. He is a great writer who cares about the future of the planet. His article on biomedical ethics was praised by readers on all sides of the fence: Mounting COVID frustration is no reason to abandon fundamental principles
Then I convinced Kevin Burron to join the team. Kevin worked as a structural engineer before building a bridge to a career in law. He was recruited to be a partner at the largest law firm in the world and then established Burron Law, which provides a wide range of work in commercial litigation. You guessed it – he is a great writer who cares about the future of the planet. When the Trudeau government invoked the Emergencies Act in February, Kevin supplied unmatched analysis and context: The Canadian prime minister’s emergency act
Other key members of the team include accomplished scientists Brian Russell (Music, mathematics, and physics) and Oliver Kuhn (Examining the great Spokane Flood yields many lessons), and epidemiologist Dr. David Vickers (What we forgot about the Spanish flu).
These people are all extremely busy, but they take the time to do the deep dives and write articles for BIG Media because they want to help make a difference. They want to empower people of all stripes with critical information on the big issues. Education is a powerful way to reduce vitriol and increase harmony.
You will be hard pressed to find another media outlet that provides more accurate coverage of COVID-19, since all BIG Media articles on the subject are reviewed carefully by a four-person COVID committee that includes three data scientists, including an epidemiologist.
So, when I say we have very accurate news coverage, I am not just blowing smoke.
Many will still take the “Who the $#%! does he think he is?” approach.
Others will sign up (or have signed up) at BIG Media to be part of the change.
