Revisionist History
Malcolm Goes to Debate School
Thu Apr 13 2023Description
The episode features a debate on whether to trust the mainstream media or not. Prominent journalists argue against trusting mainstream media, while New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg and Canadian journalist Malcolm Gladwell defend it. The debaters discuss big stories like the Trump presidency, COVID, and the war in Ukraine. Mainstream media is seen as more reliable and closer to the truth compared to alternative sources. The episode explores professional standards of mainstream media, debate strategies, critique of mainstream media, and the importance of listening in debates.
Insights
Mainstream Media vs. Non-Mainstream Media
The debate highlights the professional standards and tradition of searching for the truth in mainstream media, contrasting it with non-mainstream media that operates outside these norms.
Debate Strategies and Impact
Understanding the judge's values, practicing empathy, and avoiding personal attacks are crucial in winning debates. Researching opponents provides valuable insights.
Critique of Mainstream Media
The commercial strategy of news outlets has shifted towards targeting specific demographics, potentially compromising diverse representation. Mainstream media today caters to individual echo chambers instead of diverse audiences.
Importance of Listening in Debates
Listening is the most important skill in debating, allowing debaters to understand opponents' perspectives and respond effectively. Debating teaches focusing on the other person rather than oneself.
Chapters
- Debate on Trusting Mainstream Media
- Professional Standards of Mainstream Media
- Debate Strategies and Impact
- Critique of Mainstream Media
- Debating Skills and Techniques
- Importance of Listening in Debates
Debate on Trusting Mainstream Media
00:06 - 08:08
- The podcast episode is about a debate on whether to trust the mainstream media or not.
- Speaking for the resolution, two prominent journalists argue that you should not trust mainstream media.
- On the other side, defending the mainstream media, were New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg and Canadian journalist Malcolm Gladwell.
- The debaters discussed big stories like the Trump presidency, COVID, and the war in Ukraine.
- The mainstream media was seen as more reliable and closer to the truth compared to alternative sources of information.
- The debaters highlighted how following mainstream media provided accurate information about COVID being airborne and more serious than the flu, as well as the effectiveness of vaccines.
- Critics of mainstream media were accused of downplaying COVID and overhyping Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- The debaters emphasized that mainstream media follows professional standards and has a tradition of searching for the truth.
Professional Standards of Mainstream Media
07:50 - 16:18
- The mainstream media has standards, rules, and a tradition of searching for the truth.
- The non-mainstream media operates outside of these professional norms.
- Trust is about process, not just content.
- The speaker received journalistic training at The Washington Post and learned about respecting the truth.
- Malcolm Gladwell's book on Northern Ireland contains inaccuracies.
- Murray had the audience's attention during the debate.
- Functioning liberal democracies require trust in the media.
- The Hunter Biden story challenges ideological presumptions.
- The resolution of the debate was to not trust the mainstream media.
- After the debate, there was a significant swing in opinion towards trusting the mainstream media.
Debate Strategies and Impact
23:32 - 31:07
- Debate is a contest where the winner is determined by the judge's decision.
- The key to winning a debate is understanding what is important to the judge and presenting arguments that align with their values.
- Empathy plays a crucial role in debate, as it allows debaters to understand and connect with their audience.
- Personal vendettas and emotional reactions hinder effective persuasion in debates.
- Researching opponents can provide valuable insights into their beliefs and perspectives.
- Douglas Murray has expressed controversial views on immigration, which personally affected the speaker due to his mother being an immigrant.
- High school debate often requires students to argue for positions they may not personally agree with, which can be emotionally challenging.
- Debates should focus on respectful dialogue rather than personal attacks or biases.
- Winning a debate requires understanding opponents' feelings and thought processes, rather than solely focusing on one's own authenticity.
- The central question of whether mainstream media can be trusted was framed in a way that made it impossible for either side to win.
Critique of Mainstream Media
30:41 - 38:33
- The way the resolution is defined makes no sense
- In a scenario where non-mainstream and mainstream news sources directly disagree, who should we give the benefit of the doubt to?
- The commercial strategy of news outlets shifted from targeting the whole audience to dominating a specific demographic
- Starting with what pleases the audience and working backward to create a story
- Walter Cronkite was a trusted news anchor in the past, but the media landscape has changed
- Critique of Walter Cronkite's era being less representative of diverse groups
- Mainstream media today caters to individual echo chambers instead of diverse audiences
- The AF offense missed an important point about mainstream media agendas and catering to specific demographics
- Malcolm Gladwell got distracted by a provocation about Walter Cronkite and missed the bigger picture
- Deco advised Malcolm Gladwell to improve his listening skills
Debating Skills and Techniques
38:13 - 45:50
- Listening is the most important skill a debater should have.
- Debating is about obtaining and understanding information to use it effectively.
- Confidence and pretending to know your stuff are also important in debating.
- Listening to opponents is crucial to avoid saying or writing the wrong things.
- Being able to catch fast points in a debate is essential for effective response.
- A simulation exercise called 'flowing' helps debaters practice tracking arguments.
- The exercise involves listening carefully and writing down cards mentioned by the speaker.
Importance of Listening in Debates
45:20 - 53:19
- Debate requires the skill of listening and taking notes.
- Failure to listen is not necessarily a failure of will or motivation.
- Listening is a skill that needs practice.
- Debate teaches us to focus on the other person, not ourselves.
- Debating is about listening, not just talking.
- After a debate, participants compliment each other.