How Hank Green Makes the Truth Go Viral. Plus, the Escape Fantasies of the Uber Rich.
Nov 23, 2024
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Hank Green, a science communicator and YouTuber known for SciShow, discusses his methods for making the truth go viral. He shares insights on audience connection and the challenges of misinformation. Renée DiResta, an expert on online manipulation, uncovers how influencers reshape media dynamics in today's news landscape. Douglas Rushkoff delves into the surreal survival fantasies of tech billionaires, critiquing their isolation and exploring the implications of wealth disparity in a potential dystopian future.
The shift towards influencers as primary news sources reflects a growing distrust in traditional media, leading to systemic changes in information dissemination.
Hank Green emphasizes the importance of connecting authentically with audiences to make factual information resonate and go viral.
Tech billionaires' escape fantasies highlight a disconnect from communal realities, underscoring the need for genuine connections to tackle global challenges.
Deep dives
The Rise of Influencers as Media Power Brokers
Social media has changed the landscape of news consumption, with many Americans now relying on influencers for information rather than traditional media outlets. Studies show that approximately 20% of Americans, and 37% of adults under 30, get their news from these content creators, many of whom lack formal journalistic training. This shift is partly due to a perception that influencers appear more trustworthy and less compromised than legacy news organizations. Consequently, there is a need to reevaluate how we understand the influence and effect these new media personalities have on public opinion and discourse.
Revisting Chomsky's Manufacturing Consent
The podcast revisits Noam Chomsky and Edward Herman's propaganda model from the 1980s, which outlined systemic biases in corporate media. This model proposes five filters affecting what news is shared, including ownership, funding sources, and public backlash. While Chomsky's framework was relevant for its time, the rise of social media has disrupted these traditional power dynamics. New gatekeepers and content creators can disseminate messages widely, suggesting that the press may no longer hold the sway it once did.
The Dynamics of Influencer and Audience Relationships
Influencers often find themselves in a complex relationship with their audience, where they can be both leaders and followers. Notably, influencers might curate content based on community input, drawing from discussions within their dedicated subreddits or social media channels. This interplay can lead to audience capture, where viewers pressure influencers to discuss specific topics. Such dynamics illustrate the challenges influencers face as they strive to maintain their identities and navigate their roles within public discourse.
The Consequences of the New Media Economy
In the era of influencer-driven media, content creators often rely on direct patronage and subscriptions, complicating their incentive structures. To amass followers, many influencers may cater to niche audiences, focusing on sensationalism to capture attention. This contrasts with legacy media outlets, which must adhere to stricter standards to mitigate potential legal repercussions. Ultimately, this competitive pressure can lead to disseminating inaccurate information, as the race for clicks often overshadows thorough reporting.
Escape Fantasies of Tech Billionaires
The podcast touches on the mindset of wealthy tech entrepreneurs who seek to escape the consequences of their actions through elaborate survival plans for global catastrophes. They often embody a belief in their superiority, viewing themselves as demigods disconnected from the complexities of human nature. However, many of their plans fall short of practical applicability, revealing a deeper fear of the messy realities they wish to avoid. The discussion suggests that genuine connection and mutual aid are essential to addressing societal challenges rather than retreating into isolated fortresses.
A recent report from the Pew Research Center finds that 1 in 5 Americans get their news from influencers. On this week’s On the Media, YouTuber and science communicator Hank Green explains how he makes the truth go viral. Plus, hear how tech billionaires plan to escape the end of the world.
[01:00] Host Micah Loewinger speaks with Renée DiResta, researcher studying online manipulation and professor at Georgetown University, about what the data tells us about how news consumption is changing. Plus, how news influencers are rewriting the power dynamics of media.
[17:04] Host Micah Loewinger interviews science communicator, YouTuber, and entrepreneur Hank Green about how he makes the truth go viral, how he connects with his audience of many millions, and how he chooses what topics to cover.
[33:44] Host Brooke Gladstone talks with Douglas Rushkoff, whose many books probe the practice and philosophy of digital technology, about whether the apocalypse survival fantasies of tech billionaires are actually viable.
On the Media is supported by listeners like you. Support OTM by donating today (https://pledge.wnyc.org/support/otm). Follow our show on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook @onthemedia, and share your thoughts with us by emailing onthemedia@wnyc.org.
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