Thats it, I can’t read the news anymore. Its not because its not interesting, not because I don’t want to be updated. Its because of one reason:
The endless and shamless attempts by professional journalists to dictate to us what to think.
And sadly, they are succeeding.
If you look around, you will find that most of the people you see have very strong opinions on a variety of subject. Sadly, 99% of that was force fed to them by the news media they prefer. They are unable to really debate the issues (no understanding and lack of knowlege) but still are very vehement about their view. How is this possible ? Well, the Sophists can tell you.
Here are two different stories presented in two different views. The facts are exactly the same, the results.. you be the judge:
Politics #1:
In yet another unprovoced attack, a team of Israeli soldiers penetrated the border of its neighbour.
Ruthlessly executing one of its leaders. As usual, the reckless action cost Palistinians yet another life as bystanders was targeted by the Israeli bullets.
[Read more..]
Politics #2:
Israel finds itself in despair yet again. The latest of the unprovoked attacks from the Hamas, was a series of rockets targeted at the center of the nearby heavily populated city. Tonight, another attempt was done to capture one of the men directly responsible. A team of Israeli soldiers managed to penetrate into Gaza and kill the Hamas's number three in-command, the man in charge of the attacks. An unfortunate accident caused the target's driver to be injured in the shooting that followed. While being moved to a nearby Israeli hospital, the driver died of his wounds. [Read more..]
Finance #1:
Bonus time ! After being bailed for billions of taxs payer dollars only the year before, the new CEO of a national bank is to get a staggering 10M dollar bonus. Only a year at the failing company and the old lessons all seem to be forgotten. [Read more..]
Finance #2:
Following the brillian recovery of the national bank. With revenue soaring to 12Billion and the success at returning billions of dollars of bail money back to the state. The stocks of the bank have climbed back a whooping 75% from their low just a year ago. In an unprecedented move the banks board has decided to awar the new CEO a 5M dollar bonus. [Read more..]
Initially it seemed that the solution might come from the Blogosphere. Where a myriad of independent writers produced an endless stream of opinions, forcing us to consider, research and think before coming to a conclusion. Sadly, this area is undergoing a heavy movement of consolidation. As the bigger blogs get bigger and the smaller becoming nothing than a nice read for friends.
Will someone ever be able to create an opinion-less stream of information ?
What is an opinion-less stream of information?
Even stock ticker results are biased. The mere choice and ordering of stock quotes, as well as extra screen space depending on the company name.
Michael
10 Mar 10 at 19:41
There’s a lot of data coming out into the open (Britain is leading this, by opening the budget, etc.). This allows for the creation of analysis tools. With these tools you can make up your own mind.
In a lot of cases this will be great. In some, not so much.
A) Not all data is easily quantifiable and formatted.
B) Not all data you understand well enough (financial comes to mind, in my case).
C) I personally don’t have the time to do the analysis myself.
I am left with the question of how to chose a trusted source of information. Usually, I try and strive away from the bigger, commercial blogs. I prefer it when the author does not write for a living. Friend recommendations are still the best way I have to finding things out.
Omer Gertel
10 Mar 10 at 20:24
I am ok with biased media, as long as its bias is open and disclosed. I like Fox News for their unapologetic conservative views – not beacause I am conservative, but because they don’t try to be “neutral” or “objective” – they openly state their discomfort with liberal views.
I am suspicious of anyone claiming objectivity and neutrality. I much prefer a clearly biased source, than one that hides its agenda under a cloak of journalistic impartiality.
Mike
15 Mar 10 at 13:47