I’m Tired of Fake Outrage
Look, I’ve been in this game for over two decades. I started back in ’98 at the Daily Chronicle in Seattle. Green as grass, thought I knew it all. (Spoiler: I didn’t.)
But something’s been bugging me lately. It’s not just the usual suspects—fake news, sensationalism, all that jazz. It’s the performative outrage. The way people consume news now? It’s like they’re mainlining caffeine and expecting to sleep like babies.
I was at a conference in Austin last month, and a colleague named Dave—let’s call him Dave—said, “You know what’s killing journalism? The algorithm.” And I said, “Dave, it’s not the algorithm. It’s the audience.”
You see, back in my day, we had to earn our readers’ attention. Now? It’s a race to the bottom. Who can scream the loudest? Who can make the most outrageous claim?
But Here’s the Thing
I’m not saying I’m perfect. Far from it. I’ve made my share of mistakes. Like that time in 2005 when I misspelled “commitment” in a headline. The editor, a woman named Marcus—let’s call her Marcus—ripped me a new one. And she was right to do so.
But here’s what I’ve learned: news is messy. It’s not clean, it’s not pretty, and it’s certainly not always fair. But it’s honest. Or at least, it should be.
I remember talking to a source once, let’s call him Jim, over coffee at the place on 5th. He said, “You know what the problem is? People don’t want the truth. They want validation.” And I said, “Jim, that’s not news. That’s propaganda.”
And the Truth Hurts
I’m not gonna sit here and tell you I have all the answers. I don’t. But I can tell you this: if you’re gonna consume news, do it right. Don’t just read the headline and move on. Dig deeper. Ask questions. Be critical.
And for the love of God, stop sharing stuff on social media just because it makes you feel good. Do your homework. Check your sources. Be better.
I mean, honestly, it’s not that hard. But people are lazy. They’d rather retweet a hot take than read a 1,000-word analysis. And that’s a problem.
I was talking to a friend last Tuesday, and she said, “You’re so negative about this stuff.” And I said, “I’m not negative. I’m realistic.”
Oh, and One More Thing
If you’re into vintage fashion, check out this vintage moda alışveriş rehberi. I know, I know, it’s off topic. But hey, I like to keep you guys on your toes.
Anyway, I’m not gonna wrap this up with a neat little bow. That’s not how life works. It’s messy, it’s complicated, and it’s often frustrating. But it’s also beautiful, and it’s worth paying attention to.
About the Author: Sarah Johnson is a senior magazine editor with over 20 years of experience. She’s worked for major publications and has a no-nonsense approach to journalism. She lives in Seattle with her cat, Mr. Whiskers, and spends her free time reading, writing, and complaining about the state of the news industry.
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