Author: Nate Noorlander

Media Literacy Challenge #13: Long-form information

In this latest installment, we look at three rules of thumb I like to follow in my media consumption, and a few quick recommendations for good long-form media: 1) If it came via short-form—video clip, social media post, tweet, etc.—be skeptical, look deeper; 2) If I don’t know much about it, resist the pressure to have an opinion; and 3) If I want to know, default to long-form media sources that provide perspective and context….

Media Literacy Challenge #12: Epistemic humility

In this latest installment, we take a look in the mirror to discuss epistemic humility: a fancy way of saying that someone is not self-righteous, not dogmatic, not dismissive, not rigid, but instead knows they could be wrong, stays open to new evidence and better arguments, and holds their beliefs lightly, because they know there’s a good chance they’re going to be wrong a lot.

Media Literacy Challenge #11: Define “journalism”

“Journalism” is not some universal and unchanging ideal, sometimes reverently called “the 4th estate” because it theoretically sits outside the three branches of government in order to hold them accountable.
But in fact there are many “journalisms,” and “the media” in which they work has come to us through many historically contingent iterations that could be described as byproducts of the technology, business, and politics of their time, and but for a few accidents of timing could look totally different than they do today.

Media Literacy Challenge #10: “Fact-checking the mailman”

If your only move after hearing a claim is to look into the source of that claim, you might be guilty of a version of this absurd scenario: you’re fact-checking the mailman, not the person making the claims the mailman is merely delivering. You’re fact-checking the information distributor, not the information manufacturer.

Media Literacy Challenge #9: Polarization

Polarization in the United States seems obvious—but what explains it, and is it as bad as we think? Perhaps understanding some of the mechanisms behind (1) polarization and (2) the perception of polarization can help us engage with today’s media in an informed and productive way.