Michael J. Socolow

Nov 8, 2024 | theconversation.com | Michael J. Socolow

Most people agree that actual facts matter – in such activities as debate, discussion and reporting. Once facts are gathered, verified and distributed, informed decision-making can proceed in such important exercises as voting. But what happens when important, verified facts are published and broadcast widely, yet the resulting impact proves underwhelming – or even meaningless? If vital facts fail to affect the news audiences they intend to inform?

Nov 8, 2024 | caledonianrecord.com | Michael J. Socolow

Most people agree that actual facts matter – in such activities as debate, discussion and reporting. Once facts are gathered, verified and distributed, informed decision-making can proceed in such important exercises as voting. kAmqFE H92E 92AA6?D H96? :>A@CE2?E[ G6C:7:65 724ED 2C6 AF3=:D965 2?5 3C@2542DE H:56=J[ J6E E96 C6DF=E:?8 :>A24E AC@G6D F?56CH96=>:?8 – @C 6G6? >62?:?8=6DDn x7 G:E2= 724ED 72:= E@ 27764E E96 ?6HD 2F5:6?46D E96J :?E6?5 E@ :?7@C>nk^Am kAm%9:D :D E96 4@?F?5CF> 724:?8 p>6C:42?

Nov 8, 2024 | thederrick.com | Michael J. Socolow

Oct 31, 2024 | newsletter.pessimistsarchive.org | Louis Anslow |Jefferson Pooley |Michael J. Socolow

Remembered as history’s most infamous radio broadcast, a 1938 dramatization of H.G. Wells “TheWar of the Worlds” reportedly caused widespread panic when listeners thought a fictional news broadcast of an alien invasion was real… The day after broadcast sensationalist headlines ran from coast to coast: The New York Times placed “Radio Listeners in Panic, Taking War Drama as Fact” front and center, with the report beginning: “A wave of mass hysteria seized thousands of radio listeners...

May 16, 2024 | goskagit.com | Michael J. Socolow