It’s infuriating when we are watching a video of an event—clear, unambiguous, right in front of your eyes—only to be told afterward that what you saw didn’t happen. Right now, nearly everyone carries a camera, and video has become the closest thing we have to a shared reality. Yet even with video, the truth can be contested, reframed, or outright denied. So, what do we do when we know what we saw, but the “official story” insists on something else? This tension isn’t imaginar

When we attempt to rewrite history, the truth often suffers as collateral damage. At its core, this isn’t just about politics—it’s about communication. The way we frame events, the words we choose, and the voices we amplify or silence all shape our collective memory. Today, we see a concerning pattern: narratives being reshaped to serve convenience. Recent debates over how museums and schools present America’s past—such as efforts to remove exhibits acknowledging slavery or r

We are living in a troubling era of media influencers. The problem isn’t that they exist; it’s that too many are treated like journalists when they aren’t. That distinction matters more than ever. Influencers are rewarded for popularity and profit, not verification, allowing misinformation to spread while weakening accountability, public understanding, and trust in evidence-based reporting. Journalists operate—or at least should operate—under standards. They verify facts, pro

Every January, we make the same optimistic promises: exercise more, eat fewer carbs masquerading as joy, and finally unsubscribe from emails we never open. This year, consider a resolution that could genuinely improve your life—and maybe your blood pressure: sharpening your critical thinking across all  your internet use, especially social media. The internet isn’t just a tool; it’s an emotional obstacle course. Social platforms, comment sections, headlines, and even search r

A free press isn’t just about what gets published; it’s also about what doesn’t. When news organizations kill or bury stories to appease powerful politicians, the public’s right to know quietly erodes. The damage isn’t always loud or obvious—but it’s real and dangerous. Recent controversy surrounding CBS News and a reportedly shelved 60 Minutes story has reignited this concern. According to public reporting and commentary, the issue wasn’t a lack of journalistic merit but int

If you’re even a casual fan of the Superman comics, you’ve heard of Bizarro World—a strange, cube-shaped planet where everything runs backward. Its inhabitants are distorted versions of familiar characters who believe that what is wrong is right and imperfection is perfection. It’s a parody of Superman’s world, flipped on its head. Lately, doesn’t it feel like we’re living there now? We live in a 'Bizarro World' where communication, data, and nature get twisted to suit the me

Public schools are the foundational democratic public good. Philosopher and professor Jason Stanley wrote that, and he’s right. Think about what actually happens inside a public school classroom. It’s one of the only places left in American life where kids from every background — every income level, every family structure, every belief system — come together under one roof. They learn math, reading, and science, sure, but they also learn something much more important: how to

I think it’s safe to say we all have friends and family members with whom we don’t see eye to eye about current events. (I know I’m understating things here.) We feel strongly compelled to confront them about the misinformation they share online. It’s one of the most stressful parts of modern communication, especially with those we care about. However, fixing misinformation doesn't have to lead to a confrontation. According to the guide from Checkology, a project of the News