Great article, especially from the view here in Western NY. From here, it looks like American news media has completely collapsed. Of course, I said the same thing about the health care system, and it's still holding on by a thread somehow. Both industries have a lot in common, most especially depending on underpaid labor to keep working because of their "principles." But we do a lot of things in America by taking advantage of good people (eg, see teachers). I digress. Journalists are underpaid and liable to lose jobs at a moment's notice, so they have to hustle, hustle, hustle to eat. That means coming up with derivatives. How else can NFL network keep making money all year long? You gotta stretch it out. Gotta get your byline in creatively, stand out somehow. How about "Josh Allen wants off the Bills"? That'll grab people's attention! It's not true, but that didn't stop me from seeing about 3 articles on it yesterday. It's all a money hustle. Pay journalists and they'll be able to write about real issues. In the meantime, gossip is the only way to make a buck in the off season. That also applies to political campaigns.
“The lesson I myself learned over and over again when teaching...was the uselessness of information to most people, except as entertainment. If facts weren't funny or scary, or couldn't make you rich, the heck with them.”
--Kurt Vonnegut, foreseeing TikTok and Instagram in his book "Hocus Pocus" 30 years ago.
Excellent point. Don’t get me wrong, I like the games - NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and NCAA. But we need to start treating them less seriously than politics, economics, science, sociology, etc.
Our focus is too much on games and not enough on the serious aspects of life.
Great article, especially from the view here in Western NY. From here, it looks like American news media has completely collapsed. Of course, I said the same thing about the health care system, and it's still holding on by a thread somehow. Both industries have a lot in common, most especially depending on underpaid labor to keep working because of their "principles." But we do a lot of things in America by taking advantage of good people (eg, see teachers). I digress. Journalists are underpaid and liable to lose jobs at a moment's notice, so they have to hustle, hustle, hustle to eat. That means coming up with derivatives. How else can NFL network keep making money all year long? You gotta stretch it out. Gotta get your byline in creatively, stand out somehow. How about "Josh Allen wants off the Bills"? That'll grab people's attention! It's not true, but that didn't stop me from seeing about 3 articles on it yesterday. It's all a money hustle. Pay journalists and they'll be able to write about real issues. In the meantime, gossip is the only way to make a buck in the off season. That also applies to political campaigns.
“The lesson I myself learned over and over again when teaching...was the uselessness of information to most people, except as entertainment. If facts weren't funny or scary, or couldn't make you rich, the heck with them.”
--Kurt Vonnegut, foreseeing TikTok and Instagram in his book "Hocus Pocus" 30 years ago.
Exactly. ^^^^
Sorry to hear about the Bills. Hang in there-- your time is coming.
The NFL is itself a derivative distraction, to take our focus away from the greater threats to our overall wellbeing.
Panem et Circus. The Romans had this figured out a long time ago.
Perhaps, but as a society it's also better to have male aggression sublimated and released in ways other than what would likely be the alternative.
Excellent point. Don’t get me wrong, I like the games - NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and NCAA. But we need to start treating them less seriously than politics, economics, science, sociology, etc.
Our focus is too much on games and not enough on the serious aspects of life.
Agreed.