How the marketplace of ideas went rogue
Opinion ruined journalism and Facebook killed truth—but there's a way to make it right.
- The marketplace of ideas is a better metaphor than it's intended to be, notes Eli Pariser. As any good economist will tell you, the best product doesn't always rise to the top.
- The institutional gatekeepers and experts who once kept checks and balances on the marketplace of ideas have been replaced by social media algorithms that reward emotion and outrage over expertise and truth.
- How can media institutions like Facebook make this right? By reevaluating the business model that serves advertisers instead of readers, and by clearly stating their values—even if that means losing some of those 2 billion users.
The Charles Koch Foundation is committed to understanding what drives intolerance and the best ways to cure it. The foundation supports interdisciplinary research to overcome intolerance, new models for peaceful interactions, and experiments that can heal fractured communities. For more information, visit charleskochfoundation.org/courageous-collaborations. The opinions expressed in this video do not necessarily reflect the views of the Charles Koch Foundation, which encourages the expression of diverse viewpoints within a culture of civil discourse and mutual respect.
What is Titanic II, and will it set sail?
Extravagant plans to build Titanic II, a replica of the original White Star Line ship, are back in circulation.
- Titanic II has reportedly resumed construction.
- The project has been resurrected after its failed attempt to begin construction in 2012.
- If the project leaves the conceptual phase, the new ship is set to follow the same route as the original Titanic as one leg of its voyage.
Retail apocalypse continues as Sears files for bankruptcy
142 more stores to close, but that might be just the tip of the proverbial iceberg.
- Sears to close 142 stores immediately amid bankruptcy filing.
- Dozens of Kmart stores — owned by Sears since 2004 — already scheduled for closing in November.
- Will it affect a store near you?
Doctors in Scotland can now prescribe nature to their patients
Take one long stroll, four times a week.
- Doctors in Shetland, Scotland can now give nature prescriptions to their patients.
- It's believed to be the first program of its kind in the U.K., and it comes with a year-long calendar of outdoor recommendations.
- The evidence for the benefits of nature on mental and physical health are numerous.
FBI director defends "limited scope" of Kavanaugh probe
Wray said the investigation was "limited in scope" and "followed standard procedures," though he seemed to sidestep repeated questions about the involvement of the White House in determining the scope of the investigation.
- Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) pressed Wray on the Kavanaugh probe during a Senate hearing on Tuesday.
- Wray said the White House had corresponded with the agency about the probe but stopped short of addressing whether or to what extent the White House limited the investigation.
- The probe ultimately failed to produce new significant information, a result that expected by Republicans and Democrats, some of whom argued the investigation wasn't designed to produce new evidence.
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