The News
I have a friend who periodically sends me wacky conspiracy theory “news” stories. She doesn’t go looking for them. They are fed to her by social media algorithms. Over time, those social media sites shape her worldview.
She is not alone.
We are living in an era where many people don’t choose their news. Their news chooses them. The media we consume shapes our perceptions and beliefs about how the world operates. If you are a passive news “receiver,” you are not just uninformed; you are programmable. The algorithm decides what you see, what you fear, and what you believe.
The alternative is to be a “news seeker” and proactively select your sources. A news seeker deliberately chooses inputs, seeking out credible sources, competing viewpoints, and facts that challenge their assumptions and force them to think for themselves. Ideas should not pass from your ears to your mouth without stopping in your brain.
I consume more media than most, but you don’t have to spend hours to keep up with what’s going on. The approach is simple: start with a neutral summary, then compare how different outlets cover the same story. I begin each day with the “Up First” podcast from NPR. They cover the top three news stories in about as long as it takes to make coffee, and it is as straight-up-the-middle of a news source as you will find.
After that, I check the headlines in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post (where I pay $1.06 a month just to read George Will). The Journal has really stepped up its news coverage, and I love comparing how each outlet frames the same story. I also have a subscription to the Austin American-Statesman, but I consider that more of a charitable contribution than a real news source.
Speaking of charitable contributions, I also donate or subscribe to the Texas Tribune, The 19th, NPR, and PBS. If you pay for streaming services, you could do much worse than PBS Passport. I signed up to watch Ken Burns documentaries and found a treasure trove of content that is so much better than the brain-dead nonsense on the big platforms.
As a news seeker, you can support independent media outlets by subscribing to Substack newsletters and your favorite podcasts. Much of this is free, but for a few dollars, you can get high-quality commentary without ads. I read “Letters to an American” every morning.
Take a moment to consider how you stay informed. Studies show that people who rely on social media for news are significantly more likely to believe false or misleading information. If your primary source of news is Instagram or TikTok, there is a better way.
Choose your inputs. Seek out credible sources. Compare perspectives.
Stop being a news receiver. Start being a news seeker.
And stop sending me stupid shit.
