Comments on: A FEW RANDOM THOUGHTS ON BLOGGING, THE MEDIA, AND HOW WE GOT OURSELVES INTO THIS MESS http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/ Politics served up with a smile... And a stilletto. Fri, 17 Apr 2026 13:48:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: Andrew http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/comment-page-1/#comment-167369 Andrew Tue, 04 Apr 2006 02:54:49 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/#comment-167369 One point you and most others miss is that the MSM and blogs are driven by those who read and watch them. We live in an age where people crave controversy, conspiracy, and views that reflect their own. Unfortunately, America is more polarized than ever and most bloggers and the MSM are giving them what they want. That is why blogs are not self-correcting and probably won't ever be. The mass of people reading blogs aren't interested in the truth or accuracy of what they read. They aren't interested in debate unless it's like Crossfire or Hannity and Colmes. Notice that H&C and similar shows very rarely have so-called moderate guests. They find the most controversial guests they can find. What are the highest-rated shows on Fox? None are anchored by journalists. I almost hate to say it, but the only real journalists left are on the News Hour on PBS, and a few in print and radio here and there. It's really sad, because today Americans need accurate news more than ever, but they're too busy getting the latest from Aruba on Fox "News" or watching Larry King interview some has-been celebrity on the Cable "News" Network. I bet most Americans think the O'reilly factor and Hannity and Colmes are news shows. That would be an interesting and revealing poll I think. One point you and most others miss is that the MSM and blogs are driven by those who read and watch them. We live in an age where people crave controversy, conspiracy, and views that reflect their own. Unfortunately, America is more polarized than ever and most bloggers and the MSM are giving them what they want. That is why blogs are not self-correcting and probably won’t ever be. The mass of people reading blogs aren’t interested in the truth or accuracy of what they read. They aren’t interested in debate unless it’s like Crossfire or Hannity and Colmes. Notice that H&C and similar shows very rarely have so-called moderate guests. They find the most controversial guests they can find. What are the highest-rated shows on Fox? None are anchored by journalists.

I almost hate to say it, but the only real journalists left are on the News Hour on PBS, and a few in print and radio here and there. It’s really sad, because today Americans need accurate news more than ever, but they’re too busy getting the latest from Aruba on Fox “News” or watching Larry King interview some has-been celebrity on the Cable “News” Network. I bet most Americans think the O’reilly factor and Hannity and Colmes are news shows. That would be an interesting and revealing poll I think.

]]> By: Raven http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/comment-page-1/#comment-167279 Raven Mon, 03 Apr 2006 20:49:16 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/#comment-167279 I have learned, for the most part LOL, to withold judgement on most news events for a few days. I was guilty of joining the bandwagon and then being proven wrong a few days after. Not anymore. It pays to really think, consider, get different views, before writing about things. (Actually Rick, you were a role model for me. ) I have learned, for the most part LOL, to withold judgement on most news events for a few days. I was guilty of joining the bandwagon and then being proven wrong a few days after. Not anymore. It pays to really think, consider, get different views, before writing about things. (Actually Rick, you were a role model for me. )

]]> By: Hawkeye http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/comment-page-1/#comment-167275 Hawkeye Mon, 03 Apr 2006 19:27:29 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/#comment-167275 Rick, I largely agree with all this, but I think you wrote a great deal here to make a very simple and not original point. That we humans are flawed creations has been known for a long time and neither MSM reporters and editors, nor bloggers are an exception. The difference between the MSM and the blogosphere that matters isn't that the people are better (obviously not), but the openness of blogs. Yes, that allows fools and cranks to have their say, but it also avoids the groupthink that pervades the MSM. Nothing is free or without drawbacks. The blogosphere enables the whole village to have their say, not just the privileged few. The cost of that, the downside, is that the village idiot also gets a turn. Rick,

I largely agree with all this, but I think you wrote a great deal here to make a very simple and not original point. That we humans are flawed creations has been known for a long time and neither MSM reporters and editors, nor bloggers are an exception.

The difference between the MSM and the blogosphere that matters isn’t that the people are better (obviously not), but the openness of blogs. Yes, that allows fools and cranks to have their say, but it also avoids the groupthink that pervades the MSM.

Nothing is free or without drawbacks. The blogosphere enables the whole village to have their say, not just the privileged few. The cost of that, the downside, is that the village idiot also gets a turn.

]]> By: Walter E. Wallis http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/comment-page-1/#comment-167272 Walter E. Wallis Mon, 03 Apr 2006 18:36:03 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/#comment-167272 See my comment above on the Carroll thing. I retract nothing. I evaluated Carroll from her actions rather than from her words. Words can be edited to suit the requirement of the moment, acts are engraved in time. No apologies from me. Throw Carroll back. See my comment above on the Carroll thing. I retract nothing. I evaluated Carroll from her actions rather than from her words. Words can be edited to suit the requirement of the moment, acts are engraved in time. No apologies from me. Throw Carroll back.

]]> By: Dave http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/comment-page-1/#comment-167269 Dave Mon, 03 Apr 2006 18:08:12 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/#comment-167269 You make a number of interesting and important posts. I'm glad to see a blogger who has a realistic view of the blogosphere. The overly enthusiastic assessment of the importance of the blogosphere and its threat to the msm which some bloggers make reminds me of the way Linux fans make wild claims about its superiority to Windows. It's just not grounded in reality. You make a number of interesting and important posts. I’m glad to see a blogger who has a realistic view of the blogosphere. The overly enthusiastic assessment of the importance of the blogosphere and its threat to the msm which some bloggers make reminds me of the way Linux fans make wild claims about its superiority to Windows. It’s just not grounded in reality.

]]> By: tyk http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/comment-page-1/#comment-167262 tyk Mon, 03 Apr 2006 17:17:17 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/#comment-167262 Perhaps a superblog, devoted to listing errors and foundationless assertions, could post falsehood rates (x falsehoods per thousand words), in blogs and MSM outlets. Most people only ever read things agreeing with their exisiting notions, of course, but for those (of any political stripe) who are interested in facts, this might be a service. It would quite an undertaking. Perhaps a superblog, devoted to listing errors and foundationless assertions, could post falsehood rates (x falsehoods per thousand words), in blogs and MSM outlets. Most people only ever read things agreeing with their exisiting notions, of course, but for those (of any political stripe) who are interested in facts, this might be a service. It would quite an undertaking.

]]> By: David http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/comment-page-1/#comment-167257 David Mon, 03 Apr 2006 16:04:06 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/#comment-167257 Rick, Well said. I have enjoyed the contracting perspective found on Blogs. Unfortunately the lack of training and accountability leaves many statements or arguments suspect. The very fact that KOS and the like are around is evidence enough. With that though, the conservative groups are not without stain. Nevertheless, the benefit of a contrasting voice to the MSM is without measure. Rick,

Well said. I have enjoyed the contracting perspective found on Blogs. Unfortunately the lack of training and accountability leaves many statements or arguments suspect. The very fact that KOS and the like are around is evidence enough. With that though, the conservative groups are not without stain. Nevertheless, the benefit of a contrasting voice to the MSM is without measure.

]]> By: Ogre http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/comment-page-1/#comment-167256 Ogre Mon, 03 Apr 2006 16:00:01 +0000 http://rightwingnuthouse.com/archives/2006/04/03/a-few-random-thoughts-on-blogging-the-media-and-how-we-got-ourselves-into-this-mess/#comment-167256 Nope. No bets to be placed here! Nope. No bets to be placed here!

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