First Looks category archive

The AP takes a look at how mis- and disinformation is flooding “social” media and what various platforms are doing to combat it.

My reading is that, of all the platforms mentioned, Facebook’s efforts to ferret out falsehoods are by far the most feeble. Follow the link and decide whether you agree.

Of course, the article does not address “social” media platforms created to foment falsehoods, such as Parler and Truth (sic) Social.

For what it’s worth, I think that Casablanca is the finest movie Amerca has ever produced.

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At the Idoaho State Journal, Michael Corrigan argues that

Being “woke,” however, if it means becoming aware of injustice and the need to correct it, is a virtue.

Follow the link for his reasonsing.

Aside:

As I’ve mentioned before, “woke” means “aware.” Draw your own conclusions about those who don’t want us to be aware.

I’ve drawn mine.

Michael in Norfolk argues that Herschel Walker is a fitting standard bearer for today’s Republican Party. A snippet:

Frighteningly, in today’s Republican Party where the truth and morality no longer matter, no conspiracy theory is too insane, and holding power is all that matters, Walker is the embodiment of the Republican Party.

Florida Man.

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With apologies to W. Somerset Maugham, one the great writers of English fiction and long one of my favorite authors.

At the Portland Oregonian, Steve Duin wonders why anyone would support keeping Democrats in power in state and local elections, given what he sees as a poor track record*. He comes to a disturbing conclusion.

Why reward the party in power by passing the torch to Democrat (candidate for governor–ed.) Tina Kotek, the long-time speaker of the Oregon House?

Perhaps because Republicans, nationally, are a menace.

Follow the link for his reasoning.

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*I don’t know enough about local Oregon politics to have an informed opinion.

My uninformed opinion is that, however poor the Democrats’ track record might be, the Republicans’ would certainly be worse.

Rex Stout:

One of the brain’s most efficient departments is the one that turns possibilities into probabilities and probabilities into facts.

Stout, Rex, Too Many Clients, (New York: Bantam, 1971), p. 123

At AL.com, Dana Hall McCain reflects on the Alex Jones damages award. A snippet:

The modern digital media culture has given rise to figures like Jones, who have become wealthy by saying whatever outrageous thing generates clicks and views that translate to cash. That money is a strong drug, incentivizing media figures to go further and further with little regard for the truth and how the lies they promulgate damage innocent people.

Methinks she is onto something. Follow the link for the rest.

Off to drink liberally.

At Above the Law, Liz Dye reviews the latest attempts by Alex Jones to hold himself–well–above the law.

Aside:

We passed a service station the other day that had a sandwich board out front reading, “Pumpkin spice oil changes now available.” If I hadn’t just gotten an oil change . . . .

Michelle Goldberg admits that she can’t quit Twitter, if for no other reason that it’s a source of breaking news. She also recognizes that, too often, “social” media isn’t.

So she clutches at a straw:

I have a shred of hope, however, that if Musk makes Twitter awful enough, users will flee, and it will become less relevant. I’m usually wary of arguments that declining conditions are a catalyst to progress — contrary to the formulation often attributed to Vladimir Lenin, “the worse, the better,” worse is usually just worse. I’m going to make an exception for Twitter, though. The best thing it could do for society would be to implode.

Follow the link for the rest of the broom.

Via All Things Amazing, an image site (some images NSFW).

The opening sequence for the first season of the British television show, Boon:

I can’t help but marvel at how successfully Hollywood sold its mythological vision of the old west.

By the way, the show is quirky, off-beat, and quite entertaining.

The Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas.

The reader of this this novel does a superb job with a superb story. It’s one of the best Librivox readings I’ve heard!

Though, for some fool reason, he seems to have trouble remembering Alexandre Dumas’s first name.

It’s happened again.

Yet another oxymoron responsible gun owner discharged his responsibility, this time in a shopping mall.

We are a broken society.

At Above the Law, psychology professor Christian Hart looks at what motivates pathological liars.

I urge you to read his article and see if it casts some light on the behavior of anyone you know (of).