1. A deep dive into the media’s descent into negativity
It's no secret that the legacy media's tone has shifted dramatically over the past several decades. But just how deep does this rabbit hole of pessimism go?
A recent study found that the overall tone of American news media headlines has taken a nosedive since the 1950s, with an alarming uptick in headlines projecting attitudes of pessimism. This trend correlates with another unfortunate reality — the media’s blatant dismissal and, at times, censorship of narratives they dislike.
The study was conducted by a great researcher, David Rozado, and found a steady rise in the percentage of pessimistic headlines since the 1950s, with a leveling for a few decades. It looked at 1.7 million headlines from 12 media outlets.
So, is this pessimism a reflection of the world around us, or is it the media's own self-fulfilling prophecy?
Because the world has seen staggering technological advancements since the 1950s. We’ve made great strides in reducing poverty, decreasing child mortality, and increasing disposable income. And yet, we find ourselves neck-deep in a media landscape that appears increasingly negative, favoring despair over hope, controversy over consensus.
Regardless of the reasons, the combination of escalating pessimism in the media and their increasingly dismissive attitude towards alternative narratives paints a grim picture. It also serves as a sobering reminder of the media's role in shaping public opinion and how they may be manipulating it.
The media's descent into pessimism and selective reporting doesn't just affect how we view the world today. It may well shape the world of tomorrow.
2. Former swimmer fights for women's sports at Senate hearing
Riley Gaines, a former collegiate swimmer for the University of Kentucky, testified at a Senatorial hearing against allowing transgender athletes like Lia Thomas to compete in women's sports.
She testified not just about the physical disparities between men and women, but the mental toll the policies have on female athletes. She spoke about young women who were threatened, intimidated, and emotionally blackmailed into silence and submission when they opposed the inclusion of transgender women in women’s divisions.
The reactions from lawmakers were predictably polarized along party lines. Besides a separate transgender category, there really is no middle ground: biological males have a huge advantage over women, and their competing as women will destroy any concept of fairness.
3. Geraldo leaves The Five
I worked with Geraldo for years. Given his politics, many hardcore Fox fans loved to complain about him. Our incoming emails usually ran heavily towards encouraging us to “immediately fire!” our most prominent liberal.
I still believe in balance, and on a personal level, Geraldo is one of the coolest, kindest, and most interesting people in the news business.
I recently had reason to read a Wilmington, NC newspaper section from the 50's. There were so many human interest stories, articles on social and civic club activities The descriptions of the individuals involved was of a generous, kind spirit. The articles about a house fire or politics included the what, when, who and why; fundamentals of reporting a story. At the time, I thought it pollyannish. I realize now I read it through jaundiced eyes because there was an absence of hyperbolic fears, threats and worries.
Been negative since Vietnam War years onward
Or began plunge then
& they want US to trust them?