political news for engineers - Google Search
One of the most irritating things about hearing the news, whether from a paper, from the television (or YouTube), or from the internet is the lack of information. These sources aim at a third or fourth grade vocabulary level, do they not? I argue that they also aim at a fourth grade level of understanding. A typical political article quotes what a politician says and what other politicians say about it. Through it all, scientific hypothesis that have arguable merit are tauted as fact. Global warming, for example, may not even exist; even if it does, there can be no conclusive proof that it is caused by humans. The use of fossil fuels as opposed to alternative energy is still quite arguable. And still, President Obama undertakes massive projects, committing the country to change that may not even be possible, let alone preferable. What if the world changes and there's nothing we can do about it? Why can't we seek to adapt rather than stop it?
I urge all those who can to go to databases for your news. Find the issues in the news media. Research them in academia. Even that may not be objective, but it's ten logarithmic steps up from the news.
And if you're an entrepreneur starting a new news source, do the world a favor: don't just get quotes from the experts. Present the expert's findings--in detail--to your audience. Maybe only a small percentage of the population has both the initiative to read what you say and the education to interpret it, but with a strategic marketing plan, you can find them. After all, your job is to keep them informed to the best of your abilities. If you don't understand what the issues boil down to, hire someone who does. If you need an engineer versed in comp sci or fluid flow or aerodynamics or efficiency--whatever--I know where you can find one.
Research, guys. Our world's getting awfully lax with its future.
(Me, most of all.)