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Being smarter

I was in Boston last week, watching a local television newscast, when I realized one way the mainstream media could better serve the public good.

We spend a lot of time covering stupid people doing stupid things. What if we covered more smart people doing smart things?

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Tags: News coverage

Posted by John Robinson on Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 7:21 pm

What do you think?

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DonMoore

October 25, 2009 - 9:38 pm EDT

You know the motto - "If it bleeds, it leads."

You are right - If he/she/they lead, they should lead. Unfortunately, people want to see the wreck; not the thousands who didn't wreck. Even if you tried to Balance "good" and "bad" news, people want to know the bad if only how to avoid it happening to them.

BUT, you can take a positive spin with a little effort. Irving Park Break-ins versus the police trying to inform residents how to better protect their homes. You had both in the story; but had more about the break-ins and less about burglar-proofing your residence.

John Robinson

October 26, 2009 - 12:59 pm EDT

Thanks, Don. I see your point but I distinguish between putting "a positive spin" and "smart people doing smart things." We can put a positive spin on most anything, but it can still be about people doing stupid things.

ascensions

October 26, 2009 - 10:42 am EDT

Smart people? Where is this fictitious land of intelligence you speak of?

Andrew Brod

October 26, 2009 - 12:10 pm EDT

Good one, ascensions: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0387808/

gsostudent

October 26, 2009 - 12:35 pm EDT

No shit Sherlock. I'm glad you admit that's not what you do. Instead the N&R is basically a police report along with the occasional school commentary and some fluff.

John Robinson

October 26, 2009 - 12:41 pm EDT

Interesting observation. Do you read the newspaper or just the Web site?

brian444

October 26, 2009 - 4:09 pm EDT

If you can't just give us the news, please give us the stupidity-based car wrecks! I don't think I could bear much of the N&R's conception of "smart people doing smart things." Invariably, this would devolve into Highlights-style moral (or "intellectual") uplift:

Goofus wastes electricity with obsolete incandescent bulbs. Gallant uses fluorescent.
Goofus purchases dirty Mexican lettuce shipped thousands of miles. Gallant buys fresh local produce.
Goofus thinks sick people should fend for themselves. Gallant supports the public option.
Goofus rages incoherently at Tea Bag riots. Gallant stands up for the rights of the oppressed.

Etc.

Oona

October 26, 2009 - 5:08 pm EDT

you could just watch "worlds worst police chases" or "cops" / heaven forbid we encounter "intellectual uplift"
Goofus misses the point...Gallant rises above...

brian444

October 27, 2009 - 1:21 pm EDT

Yeah, but "Cops" isn't local stupidity. You're missing the whole purpose of the paper.

Oona

October 27, 2009 - 9:27 pm EDT

how about just a more proportionate representation of the local population, would that bore you too much?

John Robinson

October 28, 2009 - 7:36 am EDT

Who is being underrepresented, Oona?

John Robinson

October 26, 2009 - 5:16 pm EDT

I'm optimistic that we could agree 90% of the time on what coverage qualifies as stupid people doing stupid things and smart people doing smart things.

For instance, balloon boy: Smart thing or stupid thing?

How about another: Motorist killed bicyclist and flees. Smart thing or stupid thing?

Hey, here's a good one: City council candidate profiles.

Then again, I could be wrong, particularly if your predominant lense is political.

brian444

October 27, 2009 - 1:39 pm EDT

OK, I'll bite:

Ballon boy: a hoax of Wellsian genius; coverage overblown, but newsworthy if local
Motorist: stupid thing, but definitely newsworthy
Profiles: smart thing, and N&R does OK with the exception that you let candidates say "I support lower taxes and increased services" too much--i.e., you could do a better job pushing candidates to define more precise positions on more contentious issues.

My idea of your idea of smart people doing smart things is nebulous. I'm guessing it would often involve solar panels, since I've seen a half dozen profiles of forward-looking solar panelists (whom I regard as quixotic folk willing to waste money for morally purified energy). I'm guessing it would involve more community activists than entrepreneurs, more meddlesome do-gooders than folks who do smart things for profit or fame. In short, I suspect your 90% figure is too high.