Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Cutter · 06-21-2003, 10:32 PM

Does FARK count as a news source?

Sharif · 06-21-2003, 11:07 PM

Google News (First) http://news.google.com/

It provides many headlines with links to different sites/papers and what they have to say about the corresponding story.

Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/

Provides news that, to me, seems more in-depth than your average news source.

www.Spinsanity.Org

Exposes lies/mistruths being perpetrated throughout the newsmedia. Targets liberals and conservatives equally. Obviously not for breaking news.

http://slate.msn.com/

Provides some interesting, even-handed perspectives.

My favorite site is http://aldaily.com/

It contains essays, book reviews, opinions, and "articles of note".

Straight Hate · 06-22-2003, 09:05 AM

"Sure, just like those who are disinterested in the Buffyverse are the first to take pride in their ignorance of it. "

I am ashamed to admit it, but it's true - my anti-buffy pride has been impacting many lives lately. In fact, I even went so far as to thinking about the show a few days ago.

"Here's where I disagree with you. I think that 90% of the news and 99% of the discussions they spark have no more value or global impact than a debate over which a Buffy episode is the best."

I'm not an overly picky person, but I doubt those percentages would hold up in any 'real' (objective) discussion. If you think being aware of world events is overrated, fine - to me this isn't a 'right or wrong' issue, and I hope I haven't given the impression otherwise. I don't think, however, that a pet peeve (the assumption that those who do not watch the news are ignorant) can be resolved by criticizing the interests and actions of those with a different personality than you (news hounds that like to stay on top of everything going on in the world).

...for what it's worth.

mike_decock · 06-22-2003, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Straight Hate
I doubt those percentages would hold up in any 'real' (objective) discussion.

Who decides what's objectively important?

Quote:

I don't think, however, that a pet peeve (the assumption that those who do not watch the news are ignorant) can be resolved by criticizing the interests and actions of those with a different personality than you (news hounds that like to stay on top of everything going on in the world).

I guess the news hounds baffle me just as much as the sports fanatics or the Star Trek geeks. On the other hand, as a Buffy fan, I can understand being "into" something that doesn't seem particularly interesting to an outsider.

I'm just taking issue with the fact that newshounds look at the rest of us like we're some kind of troglodyte.

-Mike...

auto-da-fe · 06-23-2003, 11:16 AM

Quote:

If something is major or important, I'll hear about it. Somebody will bring it up in conversation or in a Forum Discussion. If I'm interested, I'll do further research. I don't need to dig through news sources to find news that matters to me, it will find me.

I'm sorry, I just have to comment on this. That is a very dangerous position to take. First, if the way you rely on to get your news is via word of mouth, then you are missing on VASTS amounts of news, and for you to discredit all of it as not pertaining to you is a very dangerous gamble.

For instance, do you know what the AMT tax is? For people earning 100,000 - 500,000 /year in the US, they may have to pay taxes under the AMT tax (Alternate Minimum Tax). I bring this up because, I am sure, even with getting your news only via word of mouth, you have heard of the recent tax cuts by the Bush admin. If you were hovering near the AMT tax, then it is possible that the recent tax cut will push you into the AMT. The IRS will not notify you that you have to do it, it is your responsibility to find out for yourself.

So, if you did not get any news from any source, this is one perfect example of how you could be hurting yourself.

There are lots of examples where you cannot rely on the news you need to know to "come to you". Sometimes, to stay informed, it is neccassary for you to actively participate in your education (which is one use of news IMO).

mike_decock · 06-23-2003, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by MegaDave
For instance, do you know what the AMT tax is?

I do my own taxes with TurboTax so I checked their website to see if they calculate for AMT:

Quote:

Does the alternative minimum tax (AMT) apply?: Most taxpayers don't know if the AMT applies to them. TurboTax products automatically check whether AMT applies based on the information the customer enters. TurboTax products add the amount of AMT due, if any, to the regular taxes to ensure the correct amount is paid.

No problem there. I won't find out until I do my taxes whether or not AMT will apply to me so knowing about it 6 months ahead of time won't make a difference. If I end up owing a lot of money like I did last year, I'll take it out of the funds I set aside for savings, investments and taxes.

I understand your point but there has been no single incident where I was "in danger" or caught with my pants down because I didn't watch the news.

-Mike...

Defiant Heretic · 06-23-2003, 07:40 PM

I chose online, because that's where I read the Guardian and the BBC. I have to disagree with your examples, though. Fox should be placed under "I...have no idea what is going on in the world."

Godless Dave · 06-24-2003, 07:34 AM

PBS's "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer" for news and current events; "Frontline" and "Now" for in-depth coverage.

Secondary source is NPR, third is BBC online (www.bbc.co.uk - pretend you live in the UK to get the full news).

View Poll Results: Where do you get your news from.
Online (i.e., FoxNews.com, MSNBC.com, etc.)	15	41.67%
Cable News (Fox, CNN, MSNBC, etc.)	5	13.89%
Local News broadcasts.	3	8.33%
Newspaper	8	22.22%
I live under a rock and have no idea what is going on in the world.	5	13.89%
Voters: 36. You may not vote on this poll

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06-21-2003, 10:32 PM	#41
Cutter Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 1,805	Does FARK count as a news source?

06-21-2003, 11:07 PM	#42
Sharif Regular Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Portland Posts: 224	Google News (First) http://news.google.com/ It provides many headlines with links to different sites/papers and what they have to say about the corresponding story. Washington Post http://www.washingtonpost.com/ Provides news that, to me, seems more in-depth than your average news source. www.Spinsanity.Org Exposes lies/mistruths being perpetrated throughout the newsmedia. Targets liberals and conservatives equally. Obviously not for breaking news. http://slate.msn.com/ Provides some interesting, even-handed perspectives. My favorite site is http://aldaily.com/ It contains essays, book reviews, opinions, and "articles of note".

06-22-2003, 09:05 AM	#43
Straight Hate Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Winnipeg, Canada Posts: 4,171	"Sure, just like those who are disinterested in the Buffyverse are the first to take pride in their ignorance of it. " I am ashamed to admit it, but it's true - my anti-buffy pride has been impacting many lives lately. In fact, I even went so far as to thinking about the show a few days ago. "Here's where I disagree with you. I think that 90% of the news and 99% of the discussions they spark have no more value or global impact than a debate over which a Buffy episode is the best." I'm not an overly picky person, but I doubt those percentages would hold up in any 'real' (objective) discussion. If you think being aware of world events is overrated, fine - to me this isn't a 'right or wrong' issue, and I hope I haven't given the impression otherwise. I don't think, however, that a pet peeve (the assumption that those who do not watch the news are ignorant) can be resolved by criticizing the interests and actions of those with a different personality than you (news hounds that like to stay on top of everything going on in the world). ...for what it's worth.

06-23-2003, 07:40 PM	#47
Defiant Heretic Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 1,288	I chose online, because that's where I read the Guardian and the BBC. I have to disagree with your examples, though. Fox should be placed under "I...have no idea what is going on in the world."

06-24-2003, 07:34 AM	#48
Godless Dave Contributor Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: With 10,000 lakes who needs a coast? Posts: 10,762	PBS's "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer" for news and current events; "Frontline" and "Now" for in-depth coverage. Secondary source is NPR, third is BBC online (www.bbc.co.uk - pretend you live in the UK to get the full news).

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