The sun’s out here ...... roadways up to various mountain
snow recreation areas are clogged with traffic ..... more of my various colored
California poppies that self-seeded are blossoming.
* * *
The past couple weeks have been unusual. I suspect a deep conspiracy is rampant among
inanimate objects in my house. Conspiracies are everywhere according to some
people, so why not this? I found
it very troubling that various devices I use every day or so have simultaneously
begun malfunctioning. How to account for that?
Yes, the plumber ultimately resolved one issue so I have a
flushable commode, but then there was the appliance problem requiring a service
person.
Days, then a week became more than two without laundry capability
as I insisted what I observed happening to my machine didn’t jibe with the diagnosis
– especially when the service man’s first treatment failed to solve the
problem. More water all over the utility room floor
when I opened the front-loading door.
My continued emphasis that this was not a second problem but
the same issue I had first reported, ultimately caused him to explore what
actually resulted in a much simpler solution than he had considered. This resolved the problem -- didn’t even
require he install the new replacement part that had delayed service -- plus
saved me the expense of a second service call.
Conspiracy or not, the commode sewer
line reamed out, then the hose from the clothes washer drain adjusted, I finally have clean clothes again.
* * *
Preservation of journalism in the news industry continues to
be a major concern. Given the importance of journalism to a
democracy, being supportive of responsible journalists and organizations is
vital. There has been a decline in the
traditional news sources on which we’ve relied for information though actual media
sources have increased significantly.
The quality of reporting and viability of the facts has been
threatened, compromised in some instances, challenging each of us to be
discriminating. Certainly
differentiating between opinion and fact is imperative.
This Guardian article I read recently by Hossein Derakhshan poses some interesting thoughts
and questions “If news is dying, who will save democracy?” He
differentiates between news and journalism, noting entertainment’s predominance along with propaganda.
“... if buffeted by the twin forces of entertainment and
propaganda, news is dying, how can journalism – and thereby democracy –
survive?”
He suggests thoughtful sources beyond the sound bites, short blurbs we mostly
receive now becoming increasingly prevalent.
He says:
“I see
hope in three narrative formats: audio (including documentary podcasting),
video and non-fiction “literature”.
I haven’t
devoted much time to audio podcasts, do view videos, but my non-fiction reading
remains mostly with books, television and multiple but selective traditional
print web sites, also my city weekly paper, the Claremont Courier for local news.
I don’t
attend to social media sites when I want to know what’s going on, as they have
been so polluted, including the one used and abused by our nation’s
leader. With the run-up to our Primary elections and
the national election in the coming year we have been cautioned to expect more
of the same.
What do
you see as the source(s) of journalism and/or news, especially specifically about your city or community?
