Information Bifurcation
Frankly #57
Today, I’d like to reflect on some growing dichotomies that I’m noticing in our current culture of information consumption and media. We’re increasingly bombarded with news, both from traditional media outlets as well as emerging smaller platforms. Yet interpreting these inputs depends on the individual and societal lenses we use, alongside the presentation of and quality of the information itself.
Further, how are academic and scientific sources of information becoming increasingly gatekept - accessible to only those who can pay? What should individuals keep in mind as we navigate biases and underlying intentions surrounding journalism and educational content? Are we able to set aside our internalized perspectives of the world and listen to what is being said - rather than leaning into what our identities want us to hear?
NB: The ‘bleeps’ in this video were meant as a self-awareness exercise for viewers - to ‘fill in the blank’ of what I might have said that would have caused a response. (the real words stated were pretty bland, even by my standards)
In case you missed it…
This past Wednesday, I was joined by my friend Patrick Knodel to discuss how philanthropy and non-profit work might make positive changes in our world, beyond the superficial level. Impact investing often overlooks the importance of first understanding the values and lived realities of other cultures as a foundation to finding meaningful interventions and support. Through connecting with people across the globe, Patrick is developing a deep sense of how to create projects that span beyond single issues, and support the autonomy of communities while preserving the land they inhabit.
If you appreciate The Great Simplification podcast…
Be sure to leave a review on your preferred podcast platform! Leaving reviews helps the podcast grow, which helps spread awareness of our systemic situation from experts in ecology, energy, policy, economics, technology, and community building so that we can better understand - and respond to - the challenges of the coming decade.
The Great Simplification podcast is produced by The Institute for the Study of Energy and Our Future (ISEOF), a 501(c)(3) organization. We want to keep all content completely free to view globally and without ads. If you’d like to support ISEOF and it’s content via donation, please use the link below.
Don't be discouraged, Nate. The pushback shows that people are listening. You might try to find a social psychologist or cultural/evolutionary anthropologist to discuss why people have more visceral responses to war than to life support system destruction. People also have more visceral reactions to personal violence, such as a shooting or slaughter for meat, than to systemic violence, such as lead in the Flint, MI drinking water or the extermination of wildlife when a field is plowed for crops, even if those crops feed vegans with organic, non-GMO, free-seed ancient grains. The systemic violence causes far more suffering and death, but without a villain and a weapon we have trouble even empathizing with its victims.