how’s everybody doing tonight good good I can’t see any of you they tell us that
I can’t see any of you they tell us that
I can’t see any of you they tell us that these lights are bright but they they
these lights are bright but they they
these lights are bright but they they really are they’re really bright but
really are they’re really bright but
really are they’re really bright but thanks for being here my name is Connor
thanks for being here my name is Connor
thanks for being here my name is Connor I’m the head of production at newsy a
I’m the head of production at newsy a
I’m the head of production at newsy a digital national digital video news
digital national digital video news
digital national digital video news outlet that’s headquartered here in
outlet that’s headquartered here in
outlet that’s headquartered here in Columbia and I’ve spent much of the last
Columbia and I’ve spent much of the last
Columbia and I’ve spent much of the last year on the road reporting on the
year on the road reporting on the
year on the road reporting on the presidential election and in meeting
presidential election and in meeting
presidential election and in meeting politicians and journalists and citizens
politicians and journalists and citizens
politicians and journalists and citizens all over the country it’s become
all over the country it’s become
all over the country it’s become abundantly clear to me that America in
abundantly clear to me that America in
abundantly clear to me that America in 2016 and now America in 2017 is living
2016 and now America in 2017 is living
2016 and now America in 2017 is living in two self-contained never overlapping
in two self-contained never overlapping
in two self-contained never overlapping worlds where facts are not absolute and
worlds where facts are not absolute and
worlds where facts are not absolute and vary widely depending on who you’re
vary widely depending on who you’re
vary widely depending on who you’re talking to and where you are people are
talking to and where you are people are
talking to and where you are people are putting themselves in echo chambers
putting themselves in echo chambers
putting themselves in echo chambers closed-off comfortable corners of their
closed-off comfortable corners of their
closed-off comfortable corners of their world where they don’t have to interact
world where they don’t have to interact
world where they don’t have to interact with or see people who don’t share the
with or see people who don’t share the
with or see people who don’t share the same political ideologies as they do and
same political ideologies as they do and
same political ideologies as they do and we in the news media and some of you in
we in the news media and some of you in
we in the news media and some of you in this room are a part of that we and our
this room are a part of that we and our
this room are a part of that we and our distribution platforms we’re doing
distribution platforms we’re doing
distribution platforms we’re doing things to keep them there and push them
things to keep them there and push them
things to keep them there and push them further in their holes regardless of how
further in their holes regardless of how
further in their holes regardless of how you feel about the outcome of this
you feel about the outcome of this
you feel about the outcome of this presidential election and what your
presidential election and what your
presidential election and what your politics are we are all today faced with
politics are we are all today faced with
politics are we are all today faced with a sobering reality that today in America
a sobering reality that today in America
a sobering reality that today in America political discourse is broken we don’t
political discourse is broken we don’t
political discourse is broken we don’t know and understand each other as
know and understand each other as
know and understand each other as neighbors and the politicians we elect
neighbors and the politicians we elect
neighbors and the politicians we elect are a reflection of that and that’s not
are a reflection of that and that’s not
are a reflection of that and that’s not just sad
just sad
just sad it’s scary this election has shined a
it’s scary this election has shined a
it’s scary this election has shined a light shone shined something like that
light shone shined something like that
light shone shined something like that this erection has revealed a lot of
this erection has revealed a lot of
this erection has revealed a lot of problems some of them have been brewing
problems some of them have been brewing
problems some of them have been brewing for many years some of them are a result
for many years some of them are a result
for many years some of them are a result of new and changing technology but all
of new and changing technology but all
of new and changing technology but all of them are complicated and layered and
of them are complicated and layered and
of them are complicated and layered and nuanced and overlapping and frankly
nuanced and overlapping and frankly
nuanced and overlapping and frankly they’re important to talk about and try
they’re important to talk about and try
they’re important to talk about and try to understand so tonight we’re going to
to understand so tonight we’re going to
to understand so tonight we’re going to look at some of these problems as I’ve
look at some of these problems as I’ve
look at some of these problems as I’ve seen them unfold on the campaign trail
seen them unfold on the campaign trail
seen them unfold on the campaign trail and in the news room and online and
and in the news room and online and
and in the news room and online and hopefully share some perspective on what
hopefully share some perspective on what
hopefully share some perspective on what I think our role is in solving those as
I think our role is in solving those as
I think our role is in solving those as citizens so for the purpose of our
citizens so for the purpose of our
citizens so for the purpose of our conversation tonight I meant to put that
conversation tonight I meant to put that
conversation tonight I meant to put that up sooner for the purpose of a
up sooner for the purpose of a
up sooner for the purpose of a conversation tonight I’m going to group
conversation tonight I’m going to group
conversation tonight I’m going to group these problems in
these problems in
these problems in two major categories and the first is
two major categories and the first is
two major categories and the first is that the divide between news makers and
that the divide between news makers and
that the divide between news makers and news consumers is growing we can see
news consumers is growing we can see
news consumers is growing we can see that first at the local level local
that first at the local level local
that first at the local level local newspapers that were once synonymous
newspapers that were once synonymous
newspapers that were once synonymous with reporting and news now find
with reporting and news now find
with reporting and news now find themselves struggling to turn a profit
themselves struggling to turn a profit
themselves struggling to turn a profit between 2004 and 2014 digital ad revenue
between 2004 and 2014 digital ad revenue
between 2004 and 2014 digital ad revenue for newspapers across the country did
for newspapers across the country did
for newspapers across the country did grow by two billion dollars and that’s
grow by two billion dollars and that’s
grow by two billion dollars and that’s definitely a lot of money but in that
definitely a lot of money but in that
definitely a lot of money but in that same period of time print ad revenue
same period of time print ad revenue
same period of time print ad revenue dropped by thirty billion dollars and
dropped by thirty billion dollars and
dropped by thirty billion dollars and that’s a problem especially for a
that’s a problem especially for a
that’s a problem especially for a society that is becoming more and more
society that is becoming more and more
society that is becoming more and more familiar and accustomed to not having to
familiar and accustomed to not having to
familiar and accustomed to not having to pay for their news because it’s
pay for their news because it’s
pay for their news because it’s subsidized by ads sooner or later we’re
subsidized by ads sooner or later we’re
subsidized by ads sooner or later we’re either going to have to pay for
either going to have to pay for
either going to have to pay for journalism or we’re all going to pay for
journalism or we’re all going to pay for
journalism or we’re all going to pay for it newspapers as a result of this drop
it newspapers as a result of this drop
it newspapers as a result of this drop in revenue are shrinking staff they’re
in revenue are shrinking staff they’re
in revenue are shrinking staff they’re scaling back their publications some are
scaling back their publications some are
scaling back their publications some are selling to larger media companies and
selling to larger media companies and
selling to larger media companies and some are closing their doors altogether
some are closing their doors altogether
some are closing their doors altogether meanwhile on the national level
meanwhile on the national level
meanwhile on the national level reporters are flocking to the coast
reporters are flocking to the coast
reporters are flocking to the coast reporting jobs are moving to the coast
reporting jobs are moving to the coast
reporting jobs are moving to the coast in the last 10 years reporting jobs in
in the last 10 years reporting jobs in
in the last 10 years reporting jobs in DC have doubled in LA they’ve grown by
DC have doubled in LA they’ve grown by
DC have doubled in LA they’ve grown by 20 percent in New York they’ve basically
20 percent in New York they’ve basically
20 percent in New York they’ve basically stayed level and the rest in the rest of
stayed level and the rest in the rest of
stayed level and the rest in the rest of the world one in four reporting jobs
the world one in four reporting jobs
the world one in four reporting jobs have vanished in that period of time
have vanished in that period of time
have vanished in that period of time we’re talking about 12,000 jobs and this
we’re talking about 12,000 jobs and this
we’re talking about 12,000 jobs and this this push to the coast has left a void
this push to the coast has left a void
this push to the coast has left a void in middle America and now folks in the
in middle America and now folks in the
in middle America and now folks in the Midwest and smaller communities they now
Midwest and smaller communities they now
Midwest and smaller communities they now see the media as something for the
see the media as something for the
see the media as something for the coastal elites they don’t see themselves
coastal elites they don’t see themselves
coastal elites they don’t see themselves and their stories being told on TV and
and their stories being told on TV and
and their stories being told on TV and online and frankly they’re not wrong and
online and frankly they’re not wrong and
online and frankly they’re not wrong and all of this is contributing to a drop in
all of this is contributing to a drop in
all of this is contributing to a drop in trust in mass media this figure from
trust in mass media this figure from
trust in mass media this figure from Gallup in 2015 shows that Americans
Gallup in 2015 shows that Americans
Gallup in 2015 shows that Americans trust in the mass media dropped a 32% in
trust in the mass media dropped a 32% in
trust in the mass media dropped a 32% in 2015 and when broken out by party it’s
2015 and when broken out by party it’s
2015 and when broken out by party it’s even more alarming Republicans down to
even more alarming Republicans down to
even more alarming Republicans down to 14% and I got to think that in the last
14% and I got to think that in the last
14% and I got to think that in the last year and change those numbers have
year and change those numbers have
year and change those numbers have gotten even smaller and as someone who
gotten even smaller and as someone who
gotten even smaller and as someone who works in news and is from a part of the
works in news and is from a part of the
works in news and is from a part of the country that largely identifies as
country that largely identifies as
country that largely identifies as Republican that’s concerning and this
Republican that’s concerning and this
Republican that’s concerning and this means that our job is hard today and it
means that our job is hard today and it
means that our job is hard today and it will continue to be hard in the years to
will continue to be hard in the years to
will continue to be hard in the years to come and fake news isn’t making things
come and fake news isn’t making things
come and fake news isn’t making things any easier when my cousin’s Facebook
any easier when my cousin’s Facebook
any easier when my cousin’s Facebook timelines make no meaningful distinction
timelines make no meaningful distinction
timelines make no meaningful distinction between fact-checked magazine stories
between fact-checked magazine stories
between fact-checked magazine stories and flat-out rise from an ad
and flat-out rise from an ad
and flat-out rise from an ad scammer or a FoxNews propagandist the
scammer or a FoxNews propagandist the
scammer or a FoxNews propagandist the means by which meaningful public
means by which meaningful public
means by which meaningful public discourse can happen isn’t only damaged
discourse can happen isn’t only damaged
discourse can happen isn’t only damaged it’s broken this is one of the most
it’s broken this is one of the most
it’s broken this is one of the most popular fake news articles from this
popular fake news articles from this
popular fake news articles from this election season obviously Pope Francis
election season obviously Pope Francis
election season obviously Pope Francis didn’t endorse Donald Trump for
didn’t endorse Donald Trump for
didn’t endorse Donald Trump for president but this still racked up eight
president but this still racked up eight
president but this still racked up eight hundred and seventy thousand shares on
hundred and seventy thousand shares on
hundred and seventy thousand shares on Facebook
Facebook meanwhile the Snopes article noting that
meanwhile the Snopes article noting that
meanwhile the Snopes article noting that it’s fake got thirty thousand shares on
it’s fake got thirty thousand shares on
it’s fake got thirty thousand shares on Facebook despite what I think was a
Facebook despite what I think was a
Facebook despite what I think was a pretty snappy headline and according the
pretty snappy headline and according the
pretty snappy headline and according the Pew Research Center about one in four US
Pew Research Center about one in four US
Pew Research Center about one in four US adults self-report to having shared fake
adults self-report to having shared fake
adults self-report to having shared fake news with friends and others online in
news with friends and others online in
news with friends and others online in this election season that’s crazy
this election season that’s crazy
this election season that’s crazy some of them said that they later found
some of them said that they later found
some of them said that they later found out the news was fake some of them said
out the news was fake some of them said
out the news was fake some of them said they knew at the time that it was fake
they knew at the time that it was fake
they knew at the time that it was fake and I don’t really understand that but
and I don’t really understand that but
and I don’t really understand that but all of this amounts to you know all of
all of this amounts to you know all of
all of this amounts to you know all of these shares and these people sharing
these shares and these people sharing
these shares and these people sharing fake news on their social media feeds
fake news on their social media feeds
fake news on their social media feeds this is effectively breaking the
this is effectively breaking the
this is effectively breaking the algorithms that democratize the internet
algorithms that democratize the internet
algorithms that democratize the internet Facebook makes money when we spend time
Facebook makes money when we spend time
Facebook makes money when we spend time on their platform and in order to do
on their platform and in order to do
on their platform and in order to do that they serve us content that they
that they serve us content that they
that they serve us content that they think we want and so when a fake news
think we want and so when a fake news
think we want and so when a fake news article gets shared not only does it
article gets shared not only does it
article gets shared not only does it trick the system into thinking it’s
trick the system into thinking it’s
trick the system into thinking it’s legitimate but it tells the system that
legitimate but it tells the system that
legitimate but it tells the system that that’s what we want and it gives us more
that’s what we want and it gives us more
that’s what we want and it gives us more of that and it pushes people further
of that and it pushes people further
of that and it pushes people further into a web of fake news that’s a problem
into a web of fake news that’s a problem
into a web of fake news that’s a problem but on Facebook’s part admittedly
but on Facebook’s part admittedly
but on Facebook’s part admittedly identifying the truths complicated and
identifying the truths complicated and
identifying the truths complicated and as Zuckerberg put it some stories get
as Zuckerberg put it some stories get
as Zuckerberg put it some stories get the basic idea right but some details
the basic idea right but some details
the basic idea right but some details are wrong or omitted an even greater
are wrong or omitted an even greater
are wrong or omitted an even greater volume of stories express an opinion
volume of stories express an opinion
volume of stories express an opinion that many will disagree with and flag as
that many will disagree with and flag as
that many will disagree with and flag as incorrect even when factual and he’s
incorrect even when factual and he’s
incorrect even when factual and he’s right and Zuckerberg has said that
right and Zuckerberg has said that
right and Zuckerberg has said that Facebook he doesn’t want Facebook to be
Facebook he doesn’t want Facebook to be
Facebook he doesn’t want Facebook to be an arbiter of truth and frankly I’m not
an arbiter of truth and frankly I’m not
an arbiter of truth and frankly I’m not sure if I want him to be that either
but despite the even considering the
but despite the even considering the issue of fake news we also have to
issue of fake news we also have to
issue of fake news we also have to grapple with the fact that many
grapple with the fact that many
grapple with the fact that many Americans don’t have an appetite for
Americans don’t have an appetite for
Americans don’t have an appetite for real news a lot of people have low
real news a lot of people have low
real news a lot of people have low tolerance for serious articles published
tolerance for serious articles published
tolerance for serious articles published in respectable publications
in respectable publications
in respectable publications you know we’re once upon a time we gave
you know we’re once upon a time we gave
you know we’re once upon a time we gave newspapers the power to determine what
newspapers the power to determine what
newspapers the power to determine what news we need it and what news we wanted
news we need it and what news we wanted
news we need it and what news we wanted but today we are faced with so many
but today we are faced with so many
but today we are faced with so many options and people are distracted in so
options and people are distracted in so
options and people are distracted in so many ways that we’ve taken that power
many ways that we’ve taken that power
many ways that we’ve taken that power back and so what the news operations do
back and so what the news operations do
back and so what the news operations do when people tell them they want puppies
when people tell them they want puppies
when people tell them they want puppies instead of Syria it’s a problem the
instead of Syria it’s a problem the
instead of Syria it’s a problem the other category of problems is that the
other category of problems is that the
other category of problems is that the divide between red and blue America is
divide between red and blue America is
divide between red and blue America is growing these election maps from the New
growing these election maps from the New
growing these election maps from the New York Times are showing landslide
York Times are showing landslide
York Times are showing landslide victories by county in presidential
victories by county in presidential
victories by county in presidential election years and in 2016 this map is
election years and in 2016 this map is
election years and in 2016 this map is really colorful and all of these blue
really colorful and all of these blue
really colorful and all of these blue and red counties show us a county that
and red counties show us a county that
and red counties show us a county that was won for their party by a victory of
was won for their party by a victory of
was won for their party by a victory of 20 points or more this map just came out
20 points or more this map just came out
20 points or more this map just came out this week from the cook Political Report
this week from the cook Political Report
this week from the cook Political Report and it further breaks down those margins
and it further breaks down those margins
and it further breaks down those margins of victory this showed up on my Twitter
of victory this showed up on my Twitter
of victory this showed up on my Twitter timeline when CNN posted it along with
timeline when CNN posted it along with
timeline when CNN posted it along with the headline this map shows that we
the headline this map shows that we
the headline this map shows that we really do live in two different Americas
really do live in two different Americas
really do live in two different Americas or something like that
or something like that
or something like that don’t quote me but they’re right and
don’t quote me but they’re right and
don’t quote me but they’re right and these maps do a really good job to show
these maps do a really good job to show
these maps do a really good job to show us that not only do we believe much more
us that not only do we believe much more
us that not only do we believe much more strongly in what we believed 10 or 15
strongly in what we believed 10 or 15
strongly in what we believed 10 or 15 years ago but so do our neighbors and
years ago but so do our neighbors and
years ago but so do our neighbors and we’ve grouped ourselves geographically
we’ve grouped ourselves geographically
we’ve grouped ourselves geographically around people who feel the same way that
around people who feel the same way that
around people who feel the same way that we do what these maps don’t do a good
we do what these maps don’t do a good
we do what these maps don’t do a good job of illustrating is the polarization
job of illustrating is the polarization
job of illustrating is the polarization that exists digitally on Facebook many
that exists digitally on Facebook many
that exists digitally on Facebook many people say that this election wasn’t won
people say that this election wasn’t won
people say that this election wasn’t won on the ground in these red and blue
on the ground in these red and blue
on the ground in these red and blue counties but it was won online on
counties but it was won online on
counties but it was won online on Facebook where we only connect with
Facebook where we only connect with
Facebook where we only connect with like-minded people and unfriend anyone
like-minded people and unfriend anyone
like-minded people and unfriend anyone whose viewpoints we don’t agree with
whose viewpoints we don’t agree with
whose viewpoints we don’t agree with creating insular worlds I don’t know
creating insular worlds I don’t know
creating insular worlds I don’t know about you guys but it was pretty common
about you guys but it was pretty common
about you guys but it was pretty common for me to see on my Facebook feed this
for me to see on my Facebook feed this
for me to see on my Facebook feed this election season somebody that I knew or
election season somebody that I knew or
election season somebody that I knew or was friends with say all Hillary
was friends with say all Hillary
was friends with say all Hillary supporters or all Trump supporters
supporters or all Trump supporters
supporters or all Trump supporters unfriend me I don’t want to see what you
unfriend me I don’t want to see what you
unfriend me I don’t want to see what you have to say shutting it out completely
have to say shutting it out completely
have to say shutting it out completely and well I can understand the temptation
and well I can understand the temptation
and well I can understand the temptation to shut out some of the crazier things
to shut out some of the crazier things
to shut out some of the crazier things being shared around and some of the hate
being shared around and some of the hate
being shared around and some of the hate nobody wants that when we get rid of
nobody wants that when we get rid of
nobody wants that when we get rid of different viewpoints we whitewash our
different viewpoints we whitewash our
different viewpoints we whitewash our digital lives and this can be a big
digital lives and this can be a big
digital lives and this can be a big problem especially when we the maps we
problem especially when we the maps we
problem especially when we the maps we just saw not only are we not living near
just saw not only are we not living near
just saw not only are we not living near people who are challenging our
people who are challenging our
people who are challenging our perspectives but now we’re erasing these
perspectives but now we’re erasing these
perspectives but now we’re erasing these viewpoints from our Facebook feeds and
viewpoints from our Facebook feeds and
viewpoints from our Facebook feeds and so not only can we not challenge our
so not only can we not challenge our
so not only can we not challenge our political perspectives but now we don’t
political perspectives but now we don’t
political perspectives but now we don’t even have a window into the mind and the
even have a window into the mind and the
even have a window into the mind and the heart of our political opponents how can
heart of our political opponents how can
heart of our political opponents how can we have meaningful dialogue and move
we have meaningful dialogue and move
we have meaningful dialogue and move forward when we don’t even know what
forward when we don’t even know what
forward when we don’t even know what each other thinks and believes and why
each other thinks and believes and why
each other thinks and believes and why so it’s a problem all of this is
so it’s a problem all of this is
so it’s a problem all of this is contributing to us pushing ourselves
contributing to us pushing ourselves
contributing to us pushing ourselves further into echo chambers where we can
further into echo chambers where we can
further into echo chambers where we can sit comfortably in our own ideas and not
sit comfortably in our own ideas and not
sit comfortably in our own ideas and not have to worry about any others
have to worry about any others
have to worry about any others it’s tribalism it’s ego it’s groupthink
it’s tribalism it’s ego it’s groupthink
it’s tribalism it’s ego it’s groupthink it’s confirmation bias and there are all
it’s confirmation bias and there are all
it’s confirmation bias and there are all kinds of studies you know that point to
kinds of studies you know that point to
kinds of studies you know that point to psychological and physiological effects
psychological and physiological effects
psychological and physiological effects some studies even say that all of this
some studies even say that all of this
some studies even say that all of this is contributing to a world where we tell
is contributing to a world where we tell
is contributing to a world where we tell ourselves that what we think is the best
ourselves that what we think is the best
ourselves that what we think is the best and we are prone to attack anything that
and we are prone to attack anything that
and we are prone to attack anything that says otherwise
says otherwise
says otherwise it feels good to stick to our guns even
it feels good to stick to our guns even
it feels good to stick to our guns even if we’re wrong and that’s a problem so
if we’re wrong and that’s a problem so
if we’re wrong and that’s a problem so what do we do about all this these are
what do we do about all this these are
what do we do about all this these are big big problems so first let’s talk
big big problems so first let’s talk
big big problems so first let’s talk about news I work in the news but I
about news I work in the news but I
about news I work in the news but I don’t pretend to speak from any position
don’t pretend to speak from any position
don’t pretend to speak from any position of authority on what the news media
of authority on what the news media
of authority on what the news media should do I’ll leave that to other
should do I’ll leave that to other
should do I’ll leave that to other people but I can speak from the
people but I can speak from the
people but I can speak from the perspective of a news consumer and one
perspective of a news consumer and one
perspective of a news consumer and one who is from Middle America and who has
who is from Middle America and who has
who is from Middle America and who has family and friends and neighbors who no
family and friends and neighbors who no
family and friends and neighbors who no longer feel like the news is for them
longer feel like the news is for them
longer feel like the news is for them they are increasingly turning to a diet
they are increasingly turning to a diet
they are increasingly turning to a diet of highly partisan news or even fake
of highly partisan news or even fake
of highly partisan news or even fake news and conspiracy theorists and we now
news and conspiracy theorists and we now
news and conspiracy theorists and we now live in a world where Breitbart and info
live in a world where Breitbart and info
live in a world where Breitbart and info wars and the like have captive dedicated
wars and the like have captive dedicated
wars and the like have captive dedicated audiences in the millions and that’s a
audiences in the millions and that’s a
audiences in the millions and that’s a problem but I really see it as an
problem but I really see it as an
problem but I really see it as an opportunity for the news media I don’t
opportunity for the news media I don’t
opportunity for the news media I don’t know how they solve that I don’t know if
know how they solve that I don’t know if
know how they solve that I don’t know if it’s opening up bureaus in major markets
it’s opening up bureaus in major markets
it’s opening up bureaus in major markets in Middle America some national news
in Middle America some national news
in Middle America some national news brands are starting to do that I don’t
brands are starting to do that I don’t
brands are starting to do that I don’t know if it’s permanently assigning
know if it’s permanently assigning
know if it’s permanently assigning journalists to underrepresented
journalists to underrepresented
journalists to underrepresented communities and underreported
communities and underreported
communities and underreported demographics that could be a part of it
demographics that could be a part of it
demographics that could be a part of it as well but what I do think is that if
as well but what I do think is that if
as well but what I do think is that if the news media starts to tell honest
the news media starts to tell honest
the news media starts to tell honest stories about folks in Middle America
stories about folks in Middle America
stories about folks in Middle America that they can see and relate to and
that they can see and relate to and
that they can see and relate to and share and feel good about then maybe we
share and feel good about then maybe we
share and feel good about then maybe we can begin to mend that broken
can begin to mend that broken
can begin to mend that broken relationship but what about you and me
relationship but what about you and me
relationship but what about you and me as citizens what can we do about this
as citizens what can we do about this
as citizens what can we do about this when you never run into anyone who you
when you never run into anyone who you
when you never run into anyone who you respect but who disagrees with you on
respect but who disagrees with you on
respect but who disagrees with you on something and you never watch anything
something and you never watch anything
something and you never watch anything that challenges your beliefs you become
that challenges your beliefs you become
that challenges your beliefs you become convinced that what you think is a what
convinced that what you think is a what
convinced that what you think is a what everyone should think and be totally 100
everyone should think and be totally 100
everyone should think and be totally 100 right I think this quote is a good job
right I think this quote is a good job
right I think this quote is a good job to illustrate not only the problem that
to illustrate not only the problem that
to illustrate not only the problem that we face today but also the solution when
we face today but also the solution when
we face today but also the solution when Sean Spicer
Sean Spicer
Sean Spicer when Kelly when Kelly and Conway
when Kelly when Kelly and Conway
when Kelly when Kelly and Conway defended Sean Spicer his claims of crowd
defended Sean Spicer his claims of crowd
defended Sean Spicer his claims of crowd size she used the phrase alternative
size she used the phrase alternative
size she used the phrase alternative facts and Twitter had a heyday with it
facts and Twitter had a heyday with it
facts and Twitter had a heyday with it and it sounds kind of crazy right but I
and it sounds kind of crazy right but I
and it sounds kind of crazy right but I think that phrase that she engineered
think that phrase that she engineered
think that phrase that she engineered actually does a good job of illustrating
actually does a good job of illustrating
actually does a good job of illustrating the partisan divide in America you see
the partisan divide in America you see
the partisan divide in America you see we’re not coming to different
we’re not coming to different
we’re not coming to different conclusions based on perspective and
conclusions based on perspective and
conclusions based on perspective and nuance and opinion we live in two
nuance and opinion we live in two
nuance and opinion we live in two different worlds with different facts
different worlds with different facts
different worlds with different facts and that’s alarming and that’s
and that’s alarming and that’s
and that’s alarming and that’s concerning because we like to think of
concerning because we like to think of
concerning because we like to think of fact and truth as being absolute that
fact and truth as being absolute that
fact and truth as being absolute that the Sun will rise in the morning and it
the Sun will rise in the morning and it
the Sun will rise in the morning and it will set at night and that’s true we all
will set at night and that’s true we all
will set at night and that’s true we all accept that but in the last year on the
accept that but in the last year on the
accept that but in the last year on the road in traveling the country and
road in traveling the country and
road in traveling the country and meeting people and seeing where they
meeting people and seeing where they
meeting people and seeing where they work and where they live and what their
work and where they live and what their
work and where they live and what their life is like and asking them questions
life is like and asking them questions
life is like and asking them questions and listening my perspective on truth
and listening my perspective on truth
and listening my perspective on truth was broadened you see what’s true for me
was broadened you see what’s true for me
was broadened you see what’s true for me and my life isn’t true for you in your
and my life isn’t true for you in your
and my life isn’t true for you in your life and that informs the way we see the
life and that informs the way we see the
life and that informs the way we see the world and the way we see policy and
world and the way we see policy and
world and the way we see policy and politics and so I would contend that as
politics and so I would contend that as
politics and so I would contend that as citizens of our communities and of our
citizens of our communities and of our
citizens of our communities and of our nation and of our world that we play a
nation and of our world that we play a
nation and of our world that we play a big role in that I don’t have a lot of
big role in that I don’t have a lot of
big role in that I don’t have a lot of faith in our leaders to solve these
faith in our leaders to solve these
faith in our leaders to solve these problems I don’t have a lot of faith in
problems I don’t have a lot of faith in
problems I don’t have a lot of faith in Facebook and Google to fix fake news or
Facebook and Google to fix fake news or
Facebook and Google to fix fake news or CNN and Fox News and MSNBC to move the
CNN and Fox News and MSNBC to move the
CNN and Fox News and MSNBC to move the media narrative in a direction that will
media narrative in a direction that will
media narrative in a direction that will move us forward but as citizens you and
move us forward but as citizens you and
move us forward but as citizens you and me can play and should play a big part
me can play and should play a big part
me can play and should play a big part in this it’s our responsibility to go
in this it’s our responsibility to go
in this it’s our responsibility to go through our days with a steadfast and
through our days with a steadfast and
through our days with a steadfast and diligent and constant focus on meeting
diligent and constant focus on meeting
diligent and constant focus on meeting people who are different than us and
people who are different than us and
people who are different than us and that might mean changing our routines
that might mean changing our routines
that might mean changing our routines and changing our schedule and going
and changing our schedule and going
and changing our schedule and going places we wouldn’t otherwise go but I
places we wouldn’t otherwise go but I
places we wouldn’t otherwise go but I would ask all of you today as citizens
would ask all of you today as citizens
would ask all of you today as citizens to go about your life trying to learn
to go about your life trying to learn
to go about your life trying to learn the stories of your neighbors and see
the stories of your neighbors and see
the stories of your neighbors and see what’s true for them and their life only
what’s true for them and their life only
what’s true for them and their life only then can we begin to chip away at the
then can we begin to chip away at the
then can we begin to chip away at the partisan America that we live in so go
partisan America that we live in so go
partisan America that we live in so go meet somebody
”
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