Breaking the News

Breaking the News offers a mix of critical analysis on media coverage, political dynamics, and societal issues from a veteran reporter's perspective. It explores topics like COVID-19's effects, media ethics, political discourse, climate change, aviation safety, and Supreme Court controversies, providing insights into current events, technology, and the importance of continuing education and adaptability.

Media Critique Political Analysis COVID-19 Pandemic Climate Change Technology and Innovation Judicial System Aviation Safety Education and Learning Economic Trends

The hottest Substack posts of Breaking the News

And their main takeaways

Election Countdown, 240 Days to Go: The General Election Campaign Has Begun.

564 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Foreign Policy Policy Analysis
  1. The speech by Joe Biden at the State of the Union address effectively shifted audience focus and message from previous years.
  2. The speech avoided the typical laundry-list approach, presenting a more cohesive thematic structure to deliver key points.
  3. Biden's speech reflected a strong stance against Putin and Trump, aiming to motivate and connect with his own base rather than attempting to win over Trump's supporters.

Election Countdown, 243 Days to Go: Four Mysteries After ‘Super Tuesday.’

474 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Media Coverage Judiciary
  1. The press has been portraying both Biden and Trump as losers, but one of them will win the election based on various factors like support, achievements, and obstacles.
  2. Mainstream press coverage and expert 'framing' could influence voter perception of candidates, but election outcomes are more likely determined by fundamental factors like party unity and public priorities.
  3. The question of the Supreme Court's limits and potential consequences of it going too far is a matter for paid subscribers to explore in the context of the upcoming election.

Election Countdown, 254 Days to Go: A Step Away from the ‘No Labels’ Brink.

615 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Third-Party Impeachment Culture Wars
  1. Third-party campaigns often serve as spoilers in US presidential politics, increasing the risk of splitting votes.
  2. The idea of an 'open convention' to replace Joe Biden as a candidate faces significant challenges, like lack of clarity on alternative candidates and financial complications.
  3. A GOP impeachment bid against Joe Biden was derailed after a star witness was arrested for inventing stories about the Biden family on behalf of Russian state intelligence.

Election Countdown, 270 Days to Go: The Elderly Man in the White House.

872 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election President Age Media Campaign
  1. Biden's age is a complex topic, with some seeing him as a 'superager' like Oliver Wendell Holmes and John Paul Stevens.
  2. Biden's experience might make him more capable of making sound judgment calls compared to younger presidents.
  3. Biden's stutter affects his speech but not his intelligence, showcasing his resilience in navigating his condition.
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Ralph Nader Looks Ahead, at Age 90. What He Sees Is Not What You'd Expect.

474 implied HN points • 02 Mar 24
💼 Business Leadership Entrepreneurship Business Ethics Corporate culture
  1. Ralph Nader, at age 90, surprises with a new book 'The Rebellious CEO' showcasing leaders who use their influence for good in business, workers' treatment, and environmental policy.
  2. The book has a chatty and personal tone, highlighting the importance of individuals making a positive impact and how small groups can bring meaningful change.
  3. Rebellious CEOs featured in the book prioritize fair treatment of workers and consumers, environmental responsibility, clear communication, and excellence in business without overpaying themselves or whining about regulations.

‘You Know Nothing of My Work…’

987 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
📚 Literature Philosopher Essay Writer Book
  1. William James was a polymath known for influential works like 'Varieties of Religious Experience'.
  2. Jacques Barzun's book 'A Stroll With William James' discusses President Carter's use of James's ideas.
  3. Carter's usage of 'Moral Equivalent of War' in a speech aimed to advocate for non-violent solutions.

Election Countdown, 271 Days to Go: ‘Can't Anybody Here Play This Game?’

743 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political Dysfunction Courts Legislation Impeachment
  1. The Trump-era Republicans are facing a decline in basic operating competency.
  2. In court, there was a contrast between intelligent defense of Trump and clownish claims of absolute immunity.
  3. GOP's actions indicate a lack of care for democracy's principles and a focus on tribalism, causing political disagreements to be harder to resolve.

Election Countdown, 262 Days to Go: Do ‘Turning Points’ Exist Any More?

602 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Campaigns Political Figures Legal issues Public Opinion
  1. Damaging news does not necessarily decrease support for politicians like Donald Trump, and good news doesn't always increase support for politicians like Joe Biden.
  2. Events like the death of Alexei Navalny or legal judgments against Trump have the potential to be pivotal moments, but whether they truly become turning points remains uncertain.
  3. The argument that President Biden is too old is being questioned and examined for its relevance and accuracy.

Election Countdown, 258 Days to Go: The New Politics of Place.

487 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Policy Opportunity Investment Economy
  1. Place has always been significant in American personal stories and national politics, influencing decisions to stay or go.
  2. Federal policies are beginning to bring more opportunities to historically neglected areas, such as the Rust Belt, by strategically directing investments.
  3. There is a shift towards more planned and effective federal initiatives that focus on boosting local economies and communities, recognizing the importance of place-based growth.

The Culture of Aviation Safety

397 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Aviation Safety Air Travel Investigations
  1. An analysis of aviation safety includes three new case studies, illustrating the complexity of keeping commercial aviation safe.
  2. A business jet in Naples, Florida had a tragic incident due to engine failures, sparking discussions in the aviation world on potential causes like the Idle-Cutoff possibility.
  3. A Pakistan International Airlines crash in Karachi revealed a chaotic situation in the cockpit, with the crew neglecting crucial flight protocols, ultimately leading to a disastrous outcome.

Election Countdown, 276 Days to Go: An ‘Up’ for Team Biden, with the Unknowable Ahead.

577 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Analysis
  1. Three important factors have broken Biden's way: US economy news, head-to-head polls, and Nikki Haley's critique of Trump.
  2. Historical narratives about Biden have shifted from negative to positive over time.
  3. Different stages of Biden's presidency have been marked by shifting media narratives, from concerns about Biden's popularity to the state of the economy.

The ‘Cultural’ Questions that Follow the Alaska Airlines Blowout.

795 implied HN points • 09 Jan 24
📰 News Aviation Safety Investigation
  1. The incident with Alaska Airlines did not likely contribute to the recent string of aviation close calls, but it could reveal systemic issues.
  2. The plane experienced a panel blowout at 16,000 feet, with no passengers seated next to the gaping hole, showcasing the clean structural break.
  3. In a scenario like this, with a hole in the airplane at high speed and altitude, it would be both terrifying and extremely dangerous.

Election Countdown, 264 Days to Go: Fuzzy Talk About ‘Fuzzy Memory’

397 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Policy Media Government Candidates
  1. Dr. Charan Ranganath distinguishes between everyday forgetting and consequential memory loss, urging focus on actual capabilities rather than age-related slip-ups.
  2. Joe Biden's eloquence shines in longer, less rushed settings, like in major speeches and podcast-style interviews, showcasing a different side than his press availabilities.
  3. In politics, appearances often influence getting the job, but effectiveness in doing the job is what truly matters; the distinction is crucial when discussing candidates like Biden.

Election Countdown: 305 Days to Go.

666 implied HN points • 05 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Media Narrative Campaigning Legislation
  1. Presidential elections are often influenced by economic and other indicators like job creation, inflation trends, crime rates, and deficit levels.
  2. Media narratives about political figures can shift over time, impacting public perception and election outcomes.
  3. It's important for the media to avoid legitimizing hate speech and to critically analyze the rhetoric and actions of political figures.

Election Countdown, 295 Days to Go: Fortune-Telling vs Reporting.

513 implied HN points • 16 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Media Government Courts News
  1. It's important to focus on reporting current events rather than predicting the future in politics.
  2. News organizations should use their resources to produce stories about what is happening now, instead of speculating about the future.
  3. Avoid stories based on polls, political framing, or candidate 'momentum' in reporting to maintain audience trust.

‘I Would Prefer Not To’...

1603 implied HN points • 29 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Social media Economy Media Coverage Supreme Court
  1. James Fallows prefers not to sign up with Threads due to reasons like ownership concerns, user interface preferences, and lack of critical mass in comparison to other platforms.
  2. James Fallows prefers not to write further about the 'Lab Leak', citing coverage by David Quammen in the New York Times Magazine on Covid's origin mysteries and the importance of the origin question.
  3. James Fallows prefers not to write about where the economy is headed or media coverage related to the economy at this time.

ProPublica Takes Another Look at Wuhan

974 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Investigative Journalism
  1. ProPublica revisited its report on the Wuhan lab leak theory, based on new information and reports from various government agencies.
  2. The initial story was criticized for relying on translations and interpretations that were later found to be inaccurate or misleading.
  3. Transparency in reporting and investigation is crucial, especially when dealing with complex and sensitive topics like the origins of a global pandemic.

In Which We Buy a Car from Elon Musk

961 implied HN points • 26 Jun 23
💼 Business Consumer
  1. The author decided to buy a Tesla Model Y after considering various electric car options.
  2. They chose Tesla due to its market leadership, availability, price, tax benefits, suitability, and despite concerns about Elon Musk.
  3. The decision reflects a shift to a more popular choice compared to the author's usual trend of selecting alternative or unique options.

What We Learned from the Wind.

731 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🌞 Climate & Environment
  1. The destructive wind was caused by a 'downburst,' which is a torrent of colder air that creates high-velocity vortices when it hits the ground.
  2. Extreme weather events like this signal the urgent need for infrastructure improvements to withstand the impacts of climate change.
  3. Households can adapt to disruptions with a mix of old and new strategies, like using candles, flashlights, smartphones, and public resources like libraries.

Supremely Calm, Supremely Confident.

692 implied HN points • 29 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Aviation Crisis Management YouTube
  1. Commercial air travel is remarkably safe due to procedures, cooperation, and accountability.
  2. Controllers in aviation maintain unflappable competence even in high-stress situations.
  3. Listening to the exchanges between controllers and pilots can provide insights into the calm, structured response during emergencies.

‘On the Media’, Behind the Scenes

692 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
  1. Discovering the intricate craft behind producing news programs is both humbling and inspiring.
  2. According to one perspective, life is an ongoing struggle against destruction and in pursuit of progress.
  3. Exciting shifts in economic thinking are occurring, emphasizing purposeful planning over market dictates.

Troubles in the Skies: Chinese Spy Balloon, Another Runway Close Call.

692 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
  1. There are concerns over a Chinese spy balloon that crossed into U.S. airspace.
  2. The Chinese balloon may not have revealed any new information as critical military sites are publicly known.
  3. A close call in Austin between a FedEx and Southwest plane highlights the dangers in aviation, even with advanced systems.