what do you read? (Full Version)

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sravaka -> what do you read? (3/5/2010 5:47:58 AM)

Hi, Politics & Religion People.....

I lurk here a lot, but am far too chicken to engage with y'all more closely, as a rule.  I'm very curious, though, to know where you all get your information from.  So many of you on both sides of various issues seem frightfully well informed?  (though there are also many who seem to be flailing cluelessly.  I'll leave you to decide who is who)

I'll be honest with you--  I get most of my information from the NYT, simply because of habit.  I read Paul Krugman's column today and thought, "Wow!  He's makes so much sense, as always!"  But I have neither access to his data, nor his qualifications for crunching that data, and I readily admit both parts of that.  Then I read David Brooks and think for the billionth time, "Jesus, this guy could not distinguish between correlation and cause if his life depended on it."  Wherefore, I don't particularly care if I have access to his data-- he's being an idiot irrespective of what raw material he works with.  And so on.  (you are welcome to differ with me on either of these characterizations-- I just throw them out as examples)

So, my question is:  where do *you* (lefties, righties, middlies... Democrats, Republicans, Independents, whoever you may be)  get the information you deem most reliable, and on what do you base your assessment of it?

Part of this is because I wonder where all of you are coming from.... but part is just because I'm looking for good, new stuff to read.  Help me out?

(edited for typos)



Moonhead -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 6:22:14 AM)

Can't really help you with that, as I don't think you get the UK papers in the 'States.



MichiganHeadmast -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 6:29:09 AM)

I try NOT to read just right wing stuff. I check out multiple news sources, and columnists who I agree with and those I disagree with. And I don't pick out some who "makes so much sense, as always" like I'm some kind of cult follower. Even the ones I agree with, I challenge in my own mind.

Answer your question?



sravaka -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 6:37:09 AM)

They might be online, no?  (I'm all the more curious about non-american sources)



kittinSol -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 6:38:27 AM)

BBC online, the NYT on sundays, liberation.fr, The Guardian, The Economist (my token right-wing publication), and a multitude of others.

What do you mean, you're "too chicken to engage [us], as a rule"?!!!



sravaka -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 6:42:54 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MichiganHeadmast

I try NOT to read just right wing stuff. I check out multiple news sources, and columnists who I agree with and those I disagree with. And I don't pick out some who "makes so much sense, as always" like I'm some kind of cult follower. Even the ones I agree with, I challenge in my own mind.


Thanks, MichiganHeadmaster!
But....  would you be willing to be more specific?  Who on the right, who on the left, who in the middle?  What news sources?

I didn't mean to suggest a cult following with PK--  only that I think he is a sharp thinker, and a very able writer.  Therefore, what he writes makes sense....  but I know I cannot judge it fully without digging more deeply. On the other hand, I do know I can judge others who do not have his thinking/writing skills as being somehow lacking, even if their conclusions might have some merit.  Does that make more sense?




sravaka -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 6:45:23 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kittinSol

BBC online, the NYT on sundays, liberation.fr, The Guardian, The Economist (my token right-wing publication), and a multitude of others.

What do you mean, you're "too chicken to engage [us], as a rule"?!!!


Thanks Kittin!
You above all others terrify me!  so there!  lol



MichiganHeadmast -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 6:50:57 AM)

I might suggests columnists like economist Walter Williams or sociologist Thomas Sowell for a view from a conservative to libertarian perspective on economics and social issues such as gun rights and free speech.

I'll read The Nation and Alternet for a different perspective. I'm rarely persuaded but I try to give them a chance. [:)]

Also our local Metro Times here in Detroit features local columnists from a mostly left-of-center viewpoint (do these papers EVER hire a conservative? lol). Notwithstanding that I don't see eye to eye, their analysis is often in-depth and enlightening as to what is happening in the community.



Moonhead -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 6:57:35 AM)

The Gaurdian and the Independent both have pretty decent websites. So does New Statesman, but I wouldn't bother with the Mail, The Telegraph or the other UK papers that people on here tend to post links to.



Musicmystery -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 7:22:50 AM)

Hello girl,

I mostly read the New York Times. It's quite balanced (most people here get links, not read the paper, and so don't see that) and more importantly, quite comprehensively comparably in its international coverage.

As I drive a lot and work online a lot, I hear a lot of National Public Radio. The coverage here is also quite balanced, and comprehensive on features, if not everything (time being more limiting than space). I particularly like the analysis that is, in fact, analysis, not commentary or partisan spin. I like to hear what all sides have to say--and to each other's points in a calm environment.

My international reading is occasional. When I do, it's generally checking Canadian press and the London Times Online, or particular countries when relevant to the story. Working for a college has its perks, of course, allowing me free access to lots of periodicals, none of which I check on a regular basis, but several from time to time, from the New Yorker to the Economist.

I don't have a television. My husky puppy did it in six years ago, and since I didn't miss it, never replaced it. Television news had long since become fluff and entertainment anyway.

Rarely I'll pick up a political book---mainly because they tend to be vanity pieces that would have made a solid article instead of a book length ramble. History is another story, though.

Live well!




kittinSol -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 7:23:47 AM)


quote:

ORIGINAL: sravaka
You above all others terrify me!  so there!  lol


That's the coolest thing I've heard all year [8D] .



Aneirin -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 8:24:34 AM)

I wander about finding things that interest me and then seek verification from other sources, but for old news stories that have a habit of staying with us, I use this website ;

Medialens.org



domiguy -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 8:26:15 AM)

Only the heaviest and thickest of books. Chicks dig a thick book reader.



sravaka -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 8:48:29 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: domiguy

Only the heaviest and thickest of books. Chicks dig a thick book reader.


Chicks do dig thick/heavy things...  and what chicks dig makes the world go 'round.

Never forget it!



popeye1250 -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 9:59:08 AM)

I'll read anything I can get my hands on. I like to read all viewpoints before comming to a conclusion.
And that goes for politics and most especially business/stockmarket matters.



kittinSol -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 10:13:58 AM)

You took a leaf from Sarah Palin, didn't you [:D].



kdsub -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 10:24:17 AM)

I think you are asking the wrong question…otherwise it is not where we read but why. Most people only read what interests them not to be informed. What is great about forums like this are they produce interest in subjects we normally would not take the time to be informed about.

Rather than world events producing interest, it is the debate we participate in here for fun that stimulates us to become informed. Becoming informed outside of our interests is healthy, enlightening, and easy in the Internet age.

We all then take this information and filter it through our life experiences before we respond. It is great to read the different conclusions from the same facts filtered through the minds of the participants of this forum.

People have changed my mind or view on a subject more than once…I have learned and taught and it is fun.

Butch



sravaka -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 10:26:07 AM)

errr... yeah.  what is so hard about "specific"?

"I'll read cereal boxes if there's nothing else around."
Which is all well and good and in some sense to your credit.
But is not (I hope) the foundation for a Point Of View, if you will....



sravaka -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 10:42:15 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kdsub

I think you are asking the wrong question…otherwise it is not where we read but why. Most people only read what interests them not to be informed. What is great about forums like this are they produce interest in subjects we normally would not take the time to be informed about.

Rather than world events producing interest, it is the debate we participate in here for fun that stimulates us to become informed. Becoming informed outside of our interests is healthy, enlightening, and easy in the Internet age.

We all then take this information and filter it through our life experiences before we respond. It is great to read the different conclusions from the same facts filtered through the minds of the participants of this forum.

People have changed my mind or view on a subject more than once…I have learned and taught and it is fun.

Butch



Hi Butch...

Wow!  Thanks.  If this is true....  I'm all the more infatuated with all of you and your passion for these subjects.

But.... I'm not sure I'm convinced?

My sense is that most come here with firm beliefs backed up by information of various kinds.

I don't know whether the beliefs precede the info, or vice versa in any particular case....   but I think, for purposes of arguing, they work hand in hand.

Whether any particular person will be convinced or not depends on their view 1) of evidence 2) of argument-based-on-evidence.   Or, of whether either of those matter in the first place.

Does any of that make sense?  (I suspect it doesn't, in which case I'm happy to try again)



kdsub -> RE: what do you read? (3/5/2010 11:12:40 AM)

You make perfect sense except perhaps you put too much belief in how informed people are on multiple subjects. I think most have feelings rather then beliefs based on hard facts. These feelings are often wrong and the intelligent among us make no claims without researching the facts. But even then the way you look at a fact can change its very meaning.

Take gun control, abortion, war, economics, religion on and on the facts are out there but tell a story interrupted in different ways depending on life experiences.

Often there is no real right or wrong and feelings are more important than facts. Otherwise you can learn as much if not more of true life understanding feelings rather than just the facts. So I would not put too much weight on the importance of knowledge…no one else does.

Butch



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