Celebrity Advocacy

 

Challenges and Complexities of Celebrity Activism in Global Warming Advocacy

Celebrities have become key figures in advocating for global warming and other environmental causes, but their involvement is fraught with complexities. Modern environmental campaigns often use celebrities to promote "green" consumer practices, which, while well-intentioned, still operate within the framework of capitalism, leading to criticism from more radical voices. These critics argue that such campaigns reinforce the moral authority of market-led governance of sustainability, which can be seen as hypocritical or even colonial, especially when white celebrities advocate for causes in the Global South. This dynamic evokes historical narratives where Europeans were seen as saviors to "backward" cultures, a notion that is problematic when applied to modern-day celebrity activism.

Celebrities are also heavily managed to maintain their appeal and market value, making them effective yet vulnerable spokespersons. Their influence relies not just on their personal qualities, but on a well-orchestrated support system that includes public relations, stylists, and other professionals. However, this same reliance on image makes them susceptible to backlash if they appear hypocritical or if they fail to maintain their celebrity status. For instance, Marlon Brando's activism suffered when he lost his physical appeal, and Leonardo DiCaprio faced criticism for his high carbon footprint despite his environmental advocacy.

Moreover, the use of celebrities in climate change campaigns has its limitations. While they can draw attention to issues, they are often not trusted as credible sources on scientific matters. Research has shown that celebrities might undermine the seriousness of climate change arguments, particularly when they lack a scientific background. Furthermore, the dramatic messaging required to engage younger audiences can backfire by creating a sense of hopelessness, leading to inaction rather than activism.

The effectiveness of celebrity-led campaigns is also questioned when their impact is primarily on other elites or those already inclined to support their causes. For example, despite the widespread attention garnered by Bob Geldof's Live Aid concert, it also perpetuated a patronizing narrative about Africa, leading to criticism from African voices. Similarly, while celebrity documentaries like DiCaprio's "Before the Flood" reach large audiences, they may only reinforce the views of those already concerned about climate change, rather than converting skeptics or spurring widespread action.

Finally, the very nature of celebrity fame is double-edged. While it can generate trust and interest, it also creates resentment and highlights the disparity between celebrities and ordinary people. This dynamic can lead to a phenomenon known as "virtue signaling," where celebrities advocate for popular causes not necessarily out of genuine concern, but because it is expected within certain social circles. As a result, while celebrities can play a role in raising awareness and shaping public opinion, their involvement in global warming advocacy is complex and often comes with significant challenges.

Source: Schweikart, L. (2024). A Patriot's History of Globalism: Its Rise and Decline [Kindle iOS version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com

How Journalism Works

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What Americans Know, and Don’t, About How Journalism Works

The Media Insight Project's 2018 study, "What Americans Know, and Don’t, About How Journalism Works," reveals a significant gap between the public's understanding of journalistic terms and processes and what journalists expect the public to know. This disconnect highlights the need for greater clarity and transparency in journalism.

One of the key findings is the public's unfamiliarity with basic journalistic terms. For instance, 50% of Americans are only slightly familiar with the term "op-ed," which refers to opinion pieces written by guest writers or columnists. Similarly, 43% of adults do not understand the meaning of "attribution," a fundamental concept in journalism where the source of information is identified. Additionally, 57% of the public is unfamiliar with "native advertising," which is paid content designed to resemble editorial content.

Journalists, on the other hand, generally believe that the public's understanding of these terms is even lower than it actually is. For example, while 50% of the public knows about op-eds, only 33% of journalists expect the public to be familiar with the term. This discrepancy extends to other concepts as well, such as the difference between an editorial and a news story, and the role of anonymous sources in reporting.

Anonymous sources, a common but controversial aspect of journalism, are somewhat understood by the public. About 58% of people correctly believe that when journalists use anonymous sources, they know the source's identity but choose not to reveal it in their reports. However, 42% of the public is either unsure or believes that journalists do not know the source's identity. This confusion suggests that news organizations need to better explain their use of anonymous sources to build trust with their audience.

The study also explores the public's perception of "fake news," a term popularized in recent years, particularly by former President Trump. While the original definition referred to completely false information created for profit, the term has evolved to encompass a broader range of meanings. A significant portion of the public now associates "fake news" with real news organizations making mistakes, spreading conspiracy theories, or even producing content that is biased or sloppy. This expanded definition reflects the growing skepticism towards the media and the blurred lines between fact and opinion in news reporting.

To address these challenges, the study suggests that journalists should focus on increasing transparency in their work. This includes clearly distinguishing between news and opinion pieces, providing more information about sources, and explaining the reporting and editing processes. Such steps are seen as crucial for rebuilding public trust in journalism, especially in an era where misinformation and "fake news" are pervasive concerns.

In summary, the Media Insight Project's study underscores the need for the media to improve public understanding of journalistic practices. By enhancing transparency and clarity, journalists can help bridge the knowledge gap and foster a more informed and trusting audience.

Source: What Americans know, and don't, about how journalism works - American Press Institute

Media Bias and Framing

Image from mxmoritz.com

Journalistic reporting underwent significant changes beginning in the 1960s, marking a departure from traditional practices that had long been the foundation of American journalism. These changes were influenced by broader social, cultural, and political shifts during the decade, which transformed the landscape of media and reporting.

1. Shift in Journalism Education:

   • Before the 1960s, journalism education emphasized objectivity, accuracy, and fairness. Journalists were trained to report the news by double-sourcing facts, avoiding anonymous sources, and presenting all sides of a story fairly. These practices were ingrained in journalism schools and reflected in newsroom standards across the country.
   • In the 1960s, however, journalism education began to shift. This period saw the rise of a more subjective approach to reporting, influenced by the cultural upheavals of the time. Journalism schools started to focus more on storytelling and less on strict adherence to objective reporting. This change laid the groundwork for the more interpretive and opinion-driven journalism that would become increasingly common in later decades.

2. Introduction of Framing Theory:

   • One of the key changes in journalistic reporting was the adoption of "framing theory." Framing involves shaping the presentation of a news story by emphasizing certain aspects while downplaying or omitting others. This could include the use of specific keywords, stock phrases, and images that reinforce a particular narrative or viewpoint.
   • Instead of simply reporting the facts, journalists began to frame stories to align with their perspectives or the expectations of their audience. This approach led to a more subjective form of reporting, where the emphasis was on telling a compelling story rather than providing a balanced account of events.

3. Impact of the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Movement:

   • The Vietnam War and the Civil Rights Movement were pivotal events in the 1960s that influenced journalistic practices. Coverage of these events highlighted the growing divide between the press and government authorities. Journalists began to take on a more adversarial role, questioning official narratives and exposing government misconduct, as seen in the coverage of the Pentagon Papers and the Watergate scandal.
   • This shift towards investigative journalism and advocacy reporting reflected a broader skepticism towards authority and a desire to hold power accountable. However, it also contributed to the erosion of traditional journalistic norms of impartiality and objectivity.

4. Rise of Interpretive Journalism:

   • With the changes in journalism education and the impact of major social movements, there was a rise in interpretive journalism. This style of reporting goes beyond the who, what, when, where, and why to provide analysis and interpretation of events. While this approach can offer deeper insights, it also opened the door to more biased reporting, as journalists' interpretations could be influenced by their personal views or the interests of their employers.
   • The focus on interpretation rather than straightforward reporting meant that news stories became more subjective, with journalists often guiding their audience towards a particular conclusion.

5. Decline in Trust and Objectivity:

   • As journalistic standards shifted, there was a corresponding decline in public trust in the media. The perception that the press was becoming more biased and less reliable grew, particularly as journalists increasingly took sides on contentious issues. This decline in trust was exacerbated by the use of anonymous sources and the selective presentation of facts, which made it harder for the public to distinguish between news and opinion.

In summary, the changes in journalistic reporting beginning in the 1960s marked a move away from the traditional norms of objectivity, fairness, and accuracy. The rise of interpretive journalism, influenced by framing theory and broader social changes, led to a more subjective and sometimes partisan media landscape. These shifts have had lasting impacts on the practice of journalism and the public's perception of the media.

Citation (APA): Schweikart, L. (2024). A Patriot's History of Globalism: Its Rise and Decline [Kindle iOS version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com

Email overload

 Some great ideas for handing EMAIL.

Email serves as our connection to the external world, but the sight of a multitude of unread messages upon opening your inbox can be more overwhelming than beneficial. Achieving and maintaining inbox zero, a concept coined by productivity expert Merlin Mann in 2006, goes beyond mere numbers—it's about minimizing the time your brain spends in your inbox.

Unsubscribe From Unread Emails: Many incoming emails are likely from mailing lists and are promptly deleted without being read. If these emails no longer serve a purpose, unsubscribing from them can declutter your inbox.

Delete Old, Unread Emails: Even after unsubscribing, there may still be a backlog of unread emails from months or years ago. Deleting them liberates your inbox. Using search functions to mass-delete emails from specific senders is an efficient way to declutter.

Delegate Emails at Work: For work-related emails that aren't within your purview, forward them to the relevant person and delete. Don't hesitate to request removal from email chains that don't concern you.

Snooze Non-Urgent Emails: Email platforms like Gmail and Outlook offer a "snooze" feature, allowing you to temporarily remove a conversation from your inbox until a designated time. This can be helpful for delaying attention to non-urgent emails.

Act Quickly: Promptly process each email, whether responding, deleting, or postponing for later. With practice, this becomes intuitive, reducing stress over every message. Most people don't expect immediate responses to emails.

Use Labels and Folders: For emails that require thoughtful responses but can't be addressed immediately, employ dedicated labels or folders. Organizing your inbox with a filing system makes it easier to manage.

Don't Feel Guilty: Recognize the value of your limited time and prioritize accordingly. Whether responding promptly or taking a few days for a thoughtful reply, the goal of inbox zero is to clear both your mind and your inbox. Find an approach that suits your needs without unnecessary guilt.

 See also

15 Clever Tips for Managing Email Overload at Work

Misdirection in social media

 Disinformation - false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth. (Merriam-Webster)

Misinformation -  inaccurate, or misleading information that is communicated regardless of an intention to deceive. Examples of misinformation are false rumors, insults, and pranks. Disinformation is a subset of misinformation that is deliberately deceptive, e.g., malicious hoaxes, spearphishing, and computational propaganda.(Wikipedia)

Misdirection - the action of sending something to the wrong place or aiming something in the wrong direction. (Cambridge Dictionary)

 I recently listened to Dr. Bryan Ardis on a talk show and wanted to look at his webpage. I was told to go to drardis.com. I found on a domain site that this URL is taken, but I could still possibly buy it. So I looked at drartis.com, thinking I might have spelled his named wrongly. 

drartis.com led me to a site where I was given a number of search choices, one of which was Medical Doctors Nearby. I clicked on it to find that it led me to a site where i could be directed to Primary Care or Family Medicine. When I clicked on the link to Website, it took me to a wellness site for traditional medicine.

Someone is making money by using Dr. Ardis's name and MISDIRECTION.  The registration for the website was listed as private. 

The actual website for Dr. Ardis is https://www.thedrardisshow.com/

 

Apple Privacy

 

Apple’s iOS 14.5 is here and with it come a lot of privacy pop-ups. @joannastern offers some advice and spoke exclusively with Apple’s Craig Federighi about the decisions behind the feature. https://www.wsj.com/articles/ios-14-5-a-guide-to-apples-new-app-tracking-controls-11619457425?reflink=desktopwebshare_twitter via @WSJ 

 

 

Distrust of the media

 Trust of the media is much higher among Democrats (73%) than Republicans at 10%. Independents are at 36%. On his podcast, Dave Rubin reported figures from a recent Gallup poll (Episode 569, The Blaze).