At times I've blurted out that the
most serious problem facing Western Civilization
now is the news media, journalism, that
fails to provide the information
needed by well informed citizens.
My hope is that the Internet will make
the needed information available and that
enough citizens will get and use the
information to get the government
we need to meet the challenges of
our current world.
E.g., the OP points out some of Obama's
superficial nonsense, and we discuss it
here. Much more such activity, and Obama
will have to think twice and talk once,
and we might be on the way to better
government.
With great strain I omitted
my usual rants about the role of formula
fiction -- e.g., a good guy, white hat,
with a problem,
and a bad guy, black hat --
and morality plays -- evil, sinful
humans transgressing against the
pure, pristine, precious, sensitive,
delicate, snow white, 100% all-natural
environment by wasteful, selfish
use of filthy carbon, with retribution
the destruction of the planet,
and redemption through sacrifice
of getting rid of cars and returning
to bicycles and horses --
in journalism.
Journalism usually fails standard
high school term paper writing
standards, e.g., the role of
primary references.
For nearly all important work
in our society, original research
in mathematics or physical science,
professional engineering,
medicine, finance, law, the
standards of quality in journalism
are laughable. An airplane designed
with the techniques of journalism
would never get off the ground, which
would be a very good thing.
We could go on and on.
The book mentioned TV: My ISP gave
me a cable TV set top box with their
special deal for lower cost than
service without TV, but I've never
connected a TV to the box! I haven't
watched TV in months and not much for
years. The set top box has a good
clock!
My hope is that the Internet will make the needed information available and that enough citizens will get and use the information to get the government we need to meet the challenges of our current world.
E.g., the OP points out some of Obama's superficial nonsense, and we discuss it here. Much more such activity, and Obama will have to think twice and talk once, and we might be on the way to better government.