There has by no means been a extra essential time for culturally accessible and intellectually stimulating data. We’re at the moment experiencing a media and cultural revolution, not solely in expertise however the programming itself. Traditionalists and people missing willpower can be defeated by new visions as they start to emerge.
Know-how, whether or not it’s AI, new platforms, or past, it’s what comes out of the display that counts. That is about what viewers expertise extra so than tech which makes programming extra accessible however doesn’t assault the significance of modernizing programming to see over the horizon and ship subsequent…now
The state of stories and data is much extra complicated than the state of the music business. Whereas there may be undoubtedly a revolution taking place in music, it’s disheartening to witness the dumbing down of media and data in the USA, particularly when the remainder of the world is turning into smarter. There’s a blurring between information, opinion, and popular culture, and an assumption that intelligence can’t attain Center America. Because of this, information media typically turns into irrelevant and isolating for some, whereas serving as unhealthy addictive thoughts sweet for others.
Social media, though wealthy in content material, has change into a goldmine for misinformation, contributing to the celebration of the improper issues.
Options exist, however they won’t come from old-school journalists residing within the period of TV dominance or from popular culture pundits. There’s a new method to information and data that has but to be offered. This method seems to be, sounds, and feels fully totally different from the previous methods.
An identical phenomenon occurred within the music business in 1968. AM Prime 40 was shedding relevance, whereas underground FM was too unique for mass consumption. Nonetheless, some ideas completely aligned with the period and tradition, and so they succeeded. I see the same alternative for information and data in 2024 and it’ll not resemble something we now have seen earlier than. I’m speaking a couple of full change, not simply new graphics or a digital presence.
We will’t solely blame the large information organizations, whether or not it’s Fox, CNN, BBC, or others. They’re companies, and most of them are doing nicely. I think about lots of their workers additionally really feel dismayed by the state of mediocrity. The issue lies within the total system of pondering, which requires an entire overhaul. Fox or every other single group can’t result in this transformation. It’s a disaster a lot bigger than any particular person entity. It’s a deeper illness. Nonetheless, I consider that any illness is curable, and the individuals who uncover the remedy will make a major cultural impression and be financially profitable.
Whereas some folks take pleasure in a McDonald’s meal occasionally, social information media is perpetuating a world of junk tradition. It’s not about being elitist; a number of surveys have proven that over 85% of persons are saying “Sufficient already!” Nonetheless, the parade continues. Simply as junk tradition is suitable in its personal realm, it must be left to its purveyors. The obsession with junk tradition is a elementary drawback that has invaded credible data.
It’s not about “critical information” versus “junk tradition information.” It’s about discovering a brand new means to consider and ship data. These new concepts will possible come from people who should not a part of the information and data enterprise. It should take somebody with out the bags of conventional information to alter the paradigm. Finally, it’s about embracing new, radical, and extremely totally different codecs that may successfully ship data on this new period.
We’re at the moment in a strong period of historical past, with great alternatives to tell and enlighten. Nonetheless, these alternatives are being squandered by low-cost junk tradition. Mainstream information media and popular culture information, together with YouTube stars (with a couple of exceptions), are delivering content material that’s directionless and, in some instances, widespread however missing substance.
Why does the ten pm native information look the identical because it did years in the past? Why does a newspaper nonetheless resemble an old-school newspaper? We have to put aside short-term financial concerns and deal with reimagining America’s want for data. This requires radical rethinking and aligning with the brand new mainstream.
It received’t be simple, however I consider it’s potential. Nonetheless, it received’t occur if we proceed to obsess over the short satisfaction of a narrative that’s nothing greater than junk tradition, opinion, or drama.
The revolution is certainly taking place, and it’s being televised or streamed. It’s an thrilling time to be on the forefront of this transformation. Whereas music is timeless and fantastic, data is the brand new driving power behind tradition. It’s all about your cellphone and display, participating your eyes, ears, and mind.