Rethinking News: Tips

Note: this is primarily concerned with advocacy journalism, or what you find in the Op/Ed.

Tip: If you can't do something, find someone who can. I already mentioned this point earlier when talking about being honest with our literacy level, but it deserves repeating. For instance, we're thrown a lot of statistics and numbers and most of us aren't statisticians. Welp, a quick search would reveal something like: The Numbers Guy: Carl Bialik examines the way numbers are used, and abused. Probably a nice blog to have in your RSS feed.

On a related note, please do a cursory review folks of genes and genetics before you cross-fertilize any interesting thing you might find in the news. John Cleese nails it. If you find yourself bored, try listening to one of Yale's lectures on the subject (here). Overtime they'll add up.

Tip: Look out for those who pull the distraction card. IOWs - when some are manipulating the media and public into focusing on something, these folks say "let's not forget what they're trying to make us forget with the carrot." This is VERY important. As a junkie, it's fun to get caught up in something. It's also responsible to keep in mind relevance to the wider context.

Tip: Look out for those who answer how. In this regard, you'll avoid just paying attention to those who make the ever-so brilliant points that you agree with, but actually aren't saying anything worthwhile. It also helps you better evaluate who is worth listening to that you disagree with. Most folks published are just trying to answer why, and do that with an explanation that stems from their viewpoints. Even if that explanation works, you still need to know how they got there for your benefit.

Tip: Find folks who can call bs. Everyone falls into bs, everyone. They unfortunately drag others with them. What these voices do though, is help us avoid groupthink. FYI - comedians are especially good at doing this in a disarming way. Something to do with the metacognitive way their minds work.

Tip: Find that which represents the best of a position at a level accessible to you. So even if you disagree with another's perspective, don't waste time with the idiots who a 5 year-old could take on. Those same leeches attach themselves to yours. Do you want folks who disagree with you only paying attention to them?

In this regard, the Conservatives are taking a well deserved hit here, as all the well-known intellectuals who respectfully represented their take are dead. The juvenile antics undermine their pretense at professionalism. I'm not trying to lodge a cheap shot here, I just think and it seems to me many conservatives agree, that they need to get their act together.

Tip: Get in the habit of cutting out the middleman. If for instance, you care what the President's Approval ratings are, here is an RSS feed. I don't, and don't think it's newsworthy. There's a period that should be emphasized at the end of that sentence. However, some do. The advantages of this are obvious. It's generally quicker, especially if you are browsing properly. Also, you either cut out a layer of potential misconstruing, or you at least have a basis for evaluating the veracity of their use.

Tip: It never hurts to ask "So what", in reflecting on the worthwhileness of the newsworthiness.

Tip: Ignore all the above tips. There's no reason to unnecessarily suck the life out of something that you would otherwise enjoy.