DOUBLE FAULT: MEDIA’S UNFORCED ERRORS IN THE AGE OF TRUMP

Now exactly a wonk, Donald Trump rode into office, benefiting from an election cycle scant on policy discussion (just 10 percent of news reports during the 2016 presidential campaign dealt with policy). a series of unforced errors by journalists, publishers, and social media companies — largely pulling from a dated paved the road to his victory. What’s worrying is that with 2020 just around the corner, there’s little sign that the news media has acknowledged past mistakes, let alone learned from them.

“Double Fault” will explore themes found in my writing at Media Matters for America and my understanding of the viral web from my time at Upworthy. Examples include the role “curiosity gap” headlines and social media posts are misused to unintentionally spread misinformation, the way editorial decisions help shape reality, the way rhetorical empty calories like “identity politics” and “political correctness” give journalists an excuse to further marginalize groups, and more.

UNBREAK THE INTERNET

Let’s face it: the internet is broken (and not in the fun Kim-Kardashian-posing-on-the-cover-of-a-magazine” kind of way). The internet was presented as a kind of utopia where we would be given the chance to connect with people around the world, and have the entirety of human knowledge literally at our fingertips. The internet could ring in an era built on empathy, understanding, and opportunity. Unfortunately, none of that ever quite realized, and we’ve instead been introduced to an era increased political polarization, the weakening of objective truth, a new method of identity theft, tech addiction and more.

“Unbreak the Internet” is a look at where things went wrong, and what we can do to get back on the right track and build a world that works for us all.

HOW THE CONSERVATIVE MEDIA UNIVERSE UNDERMINES SOCIAL JUSTICE ACTIVISM (VIRTUAL)

Since the advent of cable news, and continuing with the explosion of social media, the ability to deceive and misrepresent social movements has slowed progress on social justice issues. Movements like Black Lives Matter, the push for LGBTQ rights, and reproductive health all get distorted by the right-wing misinformation bubble. In this insightful talk, Parker Molloy shows how lies are spread in order to undermine progressive causes and how to be a more savvy media consumer.