A few days ago, I did a posting on the problems with the
24-hour news channels, especially their reliance on using “spin doctors” to
present both extremes on an issue rather than sticking to the facts. Yesterday, I came across
this verse from Lao Tzu in the Tao te
Ching (translated by Ursula LeGuin):
Opinion
is the barren flower of the Way,
the
beginning of ignorance.
This captures my concern very nicely. By focusing on the two extreme opinions
of every question, we do nothing to truly enlighten people. We only reinforce the
differences, nurturing ignorance rather than helping to find the middle path to
understanding and, eventually, solving a problem.
What we need from our 24-hour news channels is a commitment
to presenting the facts and true analysis rather than simply presenting opinions. The latter helps to fill the time, but
doesn’t enlighten.
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