1). In “Covid’s Partisan Errors,” David Leonhardt maintains that both conservatives and liberals tend to harbor a skewed comprehension of the pandemic. Discuss at least one inaccuracy or misunderstanding on either side of the political spectrum and its direct impact on policy. What does this suggest about the power of narrative? Though Leonhardt states, “The reasons for these ideological biases aren’t completely clear,” what do you believe are some possibilities that could be driving these misunderstandings? Consider the divergent personal and cultural narratives that could be at work. Also, in your response, it might be helpful to draw connections to previous concepts covered in this course. (7-9 sentences)
2). “When the researchers examined which stories were the most read or the most shared on Facebook, they tended to be the most negative stories.”
“If we’re constantly telling a negative story, we are not giving our audience the most accurate portrait of reality. We are shading it. We are doing a good job telling you why Covid cases are rising in some places and how the vaccines are imperfect — but not such a good job explaining why cases are falling elsewhere or how the vaccines save lives. Perhaps most important, we are not being clear about which Covid developments are truly alarming.”
In “Bad News Bias,” Leonhardt reports on a study that suggests major national news outlets have presented to the American public a disproportionately negative outlook on the pandemic when compared to the perspective conveyed in scientific journals, regional news sources, and international news networks. What hypotheses have been put forward to explain this bias? Reflecting on material covered in our first unit, what other factors could be contributing to this negativity? In your response, you might also wish to discuss possible connections between this article and “Covid’s Partisan Errors.” (6-7 sentences)
3). Speaking from relative privilege and stability, David Brooks attempts to speak for those “whose losses have been comparatively small” during the pandemic year. He claims that for people like him, there has been a “loss of emotional nutrition” and that the “pandemic year feels like a parenthesis in our life narratives.”
First, unpack what Brooks means to convey with these latter two figures of speech. Second, respond to his question, “How will we…think about this experience five years from now — as a gift, an anguish or perhaps just a void?”* In your response, reflect on Brooks’ closing paragraph. During this time, what have you grown tired of, what passions have you discovered or rediscovered? To what extent do you agree with Brooks’ sentiment that, after returning to some semblance of normalcy, “We are going to become hyper-appreciators, savoring every small pleasure, living in a thousand delicious moments, getting together with friends and strangers and seeing them with the joy of new and grateful eyes?” (7-9 sentences)
0 comments