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Remember a PRINTED VERSION OF THIS DOCUMENT is due the first day of school.
Summer Reading Overview and Course Connection
Brooke Gladstone’s The Influencing Machine explores the history and implications of news media. This text and its assignment prepare you for the type of language study the IB Language and Literature course requires of you in the first semester. During the course you will:
examine different forms of communication within the media
show an awareness of how the media educationally, politically, and ideologically influence audiences
show how mass media uses language and image to inform, entertain, and persuade audiences
Directions
As you read The Influencing Machine, you are required to complete guided analysis questions for each chapter. These questions require you to define key vocabulary, research important historical events related to news media, analyze the implications of certain media choices, and reflect on how your life is a product of the media you consume. This text provides you with the opportunity to wrestle with the implications of mass media in America, as well as gives you a foundation for our exploration of these issues in the first unit.
In the following guide, each table provides questions/prompts on the left. Type your responses IN COMPLETE SENTENCES in the box on the right. This PRINTED packet is due the first day of school and you will upload this document online for a plagiarism check. You will also use this packet during the assessments in the first unit, so completing this packet fully and thoroughly is in your own best interest when it comes to setting yourself up for success in this course.
Pre-Reading
Watch the following interview with Brook Gladstone featured on the Colbert Report: http://www.cc.com/video-clips/azl59v/the-colbert-report-brooke-gladstone
After watching the video, predict what you anticipate the text will be about.
I predict that this text will be about both how media influences us and how we influence the media.
Based on the personality of the author, what tone do you anticipate the Gladstone will use in her text?
I anticipate the Gladstone will use a humorous tone and light-hearted tone to convey her message.
Introduction (xi)
Define what Gladstone means by "objectivity."
When Gladstone uses the term “objectivity” she is referring to media without bias, that allows you to draw your own conclusions and does not attempt to influence you.
What is the original "influencing machine" that inspired the title of Gladstone's book? Briefly explain the story behind it.
The original “influencing machine” was the “Air Loom” a French tea merchant believed was controlling politicians and pushing them towards war.
Summarize the main idea of the introduction in 3 sentences.
The main idea of the introduction is that despite this recent fear that we are being controlled by the media. In reality, this has been a fear for a long time, and while media may now be more fast-paced thanks to smartphones, the same rules apply. The media is more likely to be influenced by its consumers than its consumers being influenced by the media.
In the Beginning (3)
What is the "Acta Diurna?"
Acta Diurna was essentially a daily update on what the Roman Senators were doing. As the Senate had previously been extremely secretive, the Roman citizens appreciated Caesar’s efforts to keep them updated on what was going on.
Research the Gutenberg press, briefly describe what it is, and explain why is would have an influence on the way that news is reported. Paste the links of the sources you use.
The Gutenberg press was the first time a printing press had been introduced in Europe. It allowed news to spread far more rapidly than before and allowed more people to have their own copy of the news, thus even the poorest citizens were able to stay in the loop on what was happening around them.
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Johannes-Gutenberg
Why weren't 17th century Europeans able to read about news of the country in which the papers were printed?
They weren’t able to read news about the country where the papers were printed because rulers often disliked coverage of themselves and therefore would prohibit the newspapers from writing about their country. However, rulers had no issue with coverage of other countries because it often made their leaders look bad.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that journalists and P.R have been around for hundreds of years. Media has been used to gain the public’s trust and connect nations together. However many rulers have attempted to control the media and that resulted in mass misinformation as no one in the country could reveal what was truly going on.
The American Exception (9)
Define "libel" as it relates to news reporting.
Libel, in the context of news reporting, is when a written work that is damaging to a person’s reputation is published.
Research the Alien and Sedition Acts and briefly explain their impact on news reporting. Paste the links of the sources you use.
The Alien and Sedition acts negatively impacted news reporting by effectively censoring the Democratic-Republican party in preparation for war with France. While writings critical of the President or Congress were effectively restricted in some states through libel statutes and common law, the Sedition act set it in Federal law.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Alien-and-Sedition-Acts
https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/ourdocs/alien.html
What is the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and how is it "America's greatest contribution to civilization" and to news reporting?
The First Amendment grants the American people freedom of speech and freedom of the press. Before the American government, all governments restricted the press and forbid them from saying anything bad about those in power. America introduced the idea of a free press that keeps the voters informed and involved.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
Freedom of speech in America always follows a cycle, the government lashes out when it feels threatened, but speech can’t be stopped. Despite their hatred for the press’ attacks on them, the American government was the first to allow such attacks and these attacks have allowed our government to endure. As other, more rigid governments were either overthrown or forced to make extreme reforms, the American government never had to, because it guaranteed freedom from the start.
Existential Angst (22)
Define "existential angst" and briefly explain why it is the title of this chapter.
”Existential angst” refers to the American government’s tendency to stop opposing viewpoints from being published whenever there is a crisis, such as a war or a terrorist attack.
Research Watergate and briefly explain how news reporting played an important role in this national crisis. Paste the links of the sources you use.
Throughout the aftermath of the Watergate break-in, Woodward and Bernstein, two reporters for the Washington Post, were given leaks of classified information that kept the readers interested in the Watergate scandal. However, the newspapers that remained silent, only aided Nixon in getting away with the political espionage he has working hard to cover up.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Watergate-Scandal
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that the American government has been censoring and blocking writings that don’t favor them for a long time. Despite the fact that they are violating the very rights they have sworn to protect, they are able to do this because, in times of crisis, the American people would rather be kept in the dark than be vulnerable to attacks because their government told them everything. However, presidents have often abused their citizen’s fear in order to classify things that wouldn’t necessarily endanger national security if they were released.
Canis Journalisticus (35)
Define what Gladstone calls “truthiness”
Truthiness is what we perceive as correct, even when it is far from that. Truthiness reflects our unconscious bias.
Does secrecy make us safer? Do we need to be informed of all the facts or is it reasonable to have trust in our elected leaders and/or the new media? Defend your position.
I believe that in limited cases, secrecy does what is safer. Sometimes the United States needs to act without its adversaries knowing what exactly we know. In the case, secrecy would make us safer, however, if the secret does not affect our national security or the livelihood of our allies, it should not be secret.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that the media is hated at times and loved at others because they report on what’s happening, for better or for worse. When they report on something the public “approves of” they are loved and respected. When they report on a dissenting viewpoint, they are hated.
Birds on a Wire (43)
According to Gladstone, good reporting needs a balance of “courage and caution.” Why is courage included in her formula? Why would a reporter be scared to report a story?
The public often attacks journalists who report against what they want to believe. Journalists are people too and they want to be liked, not spit on and scorned.
Explain Senator Eugene McCarthy’s metaphor about the press being “birds on a wire.” What argument is Gladstone making about what and how news is reported?
Using the “birds on a wire” metaphor, Gladstone is arguing that the press follow each other if one journalist or news source doesn’t get slammed with legal action and personal attacks, then other news sources will join them, if they do, then they often remain alone.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that a lot of news isn’t covered because the press is afraid to cover it. Sometimes they do brave the legal and political consequences to bring stories to light, but a lot of stories remain in the dark because of the risks. Journalists, at the end of the day, want to be liked, and they might twist the narrative to make themselves more likable.
News You CAN’T Use (47)
Define what Gladstone means by a Goldilocks number. What does it reveal about how consumers should interpret statistics?
The Goldilocks number is not too high and not too low, it seems reasonable and thus believable. Consumers should be careful because sometimes news sources just give plain inaccurate numbers.
What are some of causes of inaccurate reporting? Consider pages 52-55, and even journalist Claud Cockburn’s justification for fabricating a story of a battle during the Spanish Civil War.
Sometimes, reporters genuinely want justice for people, such as the Cubans, so they exaggerate and fabricate stories to fit their narrative. However, wars and big stories are good for business and reporters would profit off of them.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that the media can be inaccurate for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, it is because the media does have an agenda of their own that they are benefiting. However, it is often because no one really knows where statistics originate from but once they are repeated by a credible source, people believe them.
The Great Refusal (57)
Describe the point Gladstone is trying to make about neutrality in journalism by her allusion to "The Great Refusal."
By alluding to “The Great Refusal”, Gladstone is pointing out that, while we would like our journalists to be completely unbiased, we also ask them to take a moral high ground, which oftentimes involves picking a side.
Gladstone uses the following quote from WB Yeats’ poem, “The Second Coming”: “The best lack all conviction, while the worst are full of passionate intensity.”
How does this relate to Gladstone’s argument about neutrality?
Gladstone uses this quote from “The Second Coming” to argue that no reporter ever, will be truly neutral, our perception of their neutrality is based on our own biases and opinions.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that no reporter will ever be the “perfect” amount of neutral. They all report what they know to be true, but sometimes that leans too much to one side and they are called biased. Sometimes it’s too little and they are called cowards.
Bias (60)
In your own words, define the following terms as Gladstone uses them in the text.
Commercial Bias: The news needs big stories to keep people interested, so they are constantly trying to move on to the latest and greatest thing.
Bad News Bias: Making the world seem more terrible than it really is to keep people interested in the news.
Status Quo Bias: People dislike change, the news reflects that.
Access Bias: Reporters have to be nice to the people they are trying to expose in order to expose them.
Visual Bias: Horrifying images make things more noticeable.
Narrative Bias: The news wants to stick with the same story even if it means ignoring some of the facts.
Fairness Bias: The media tries to give “equal” coverage to both sides of a story, even when the sides aren’t equal.
Describe an example of Bad News bias that you have seen in the media recently. Why do you think this event was reported in this way?
An example of bad news bias is the reports of government surveillance, particularly the “Weeping Angel” as it could surveil you even when your TV is “off”. However all the panic misled consumers into believing that the program was far more capable than it actually was, for one, you could simply unplug your TV and the program would become completely ineffective.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that there are many types of bias, not just the political bias most people think of when they hear the word “bias”.
War (71)
What, according to George Creel, is the true meaning of the word “propaganda”?
George Creel believes the true meaning of the word “propaganda” is the spreading of faith in an idea.
Describe a current example of propaganda you have seen or heard.
A current example of the propaganda are the daily White House press briefings that attempt to glorify the president.
Research the phrase "Vietnam syndrome" and describe the media's role in this phenomenon. Paste the links of the sources you use.
Vietnam Syndrome refers to American reluctance to use force during and after Vietnam, the media contributed to this by showing the true horror of the war and all the atrocities that were committed in the name of preventing the spread of communism.
https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/dictionaries-thesauruses-pictures-and-press-releases/vietnam-syndrome
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
War reporting is often difficulting and inaccurate, due to a variety of factors. For example, the government carefully controls the information then distributed by the media. Access bias plays a huge role in war reporting as reporters can only report on the war if they are nice to the military.
Objectivity (96)
What is "objectivity" and is it possible for journalism/journalists to achieve it?
Objectivity means staying impartial while reporting stories, it is impossible to achieve.
According to Gladstone what is the difference between “facts” and “values?”
While values are our own beliefs on the world while facts are what actually happened.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
It is impossible for reporters to remain objective. Reporters often attempt to form no opinions on the issues they cover, however that can be difficult when researching something so much. The best they can do is attempt to suppress their opinions while reporting.
Disclosure (111)
What does it mean to be a "muck-raker?"
Muck-rakers attempt to heavily influence the public to agree with them on how to make the world a better place.
What does Gladstone mean by the phrase “Transparency is the new objectivity”?
Transparency allows the reader to take into account any biases held by the reporter while reading their material, this helps counteract some of the bias in the media.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that the modern world offers a more transparent take on the news. Reporters disclose their personal opinions and sometimes how they voted for. This allows readers to form their own opinions, taking into account who they are receiving the facts from.
The Matrix in Me (117)
What is "cognitive dissonance" and how does it influence our beliefs?
Cognitive dissonance is when we become distressed after hearing information that contradicts our viewpoint and we sink further into our beliefs and ignore the information.
Take any one of the “Implicit Association Tests” described by Gladstone: https://implicit.harvard.edu/implicit/takeatest.html
Describe your results. What interests you about the results? Today many people argue against the results of the Implicit Association Test – do you think your results are accurate or not? Why or why not?
I took the Gender-Career and the results were inconclusive as to whether I had a bias one way or the other. This didn’t necessarily surprise me as I actively work to disassociate men with careers and women with families. I do believe that my results are accurate with my conscious perceptions, however, I’m not sure how in line with my unconscious perceptions they are.
How can unconscious bias influence the decisions we make?
Unconscious bias can influence our decisions by affecting our emotions and impulses. Humans run on impulses and often make important decisions based on them.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that we are all full of unconscious biases. These can influence our impulses and reactions, affecting every aspect of our life. Everyone has prejudices, however, we need to remain aware of them.
The Influencing Machine (129)
How does Gladstone define "homophily"?
Homophily is the human tendency to find people who are like you and to stay with them.
In your words, describe the “echo chamber” effect that Gladstone claims that the Internet creates. What is the potential negative impact of echo chambers?
The “echo chamber” effect is when people speak only with those that agree with them. This affirms and amplifies their views. This helps create extremists who then feel emboldened to act upon their beliefs.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that every piece of new technology is “against the natural order of things” and people will complain about it, even the alphabet itself was once as scorned as technology now. That being said, the internet is making it much easier to create “echo chambers” that allow extremists to exist. No matter how much more information we have access to, we will continue to read the same information because it’s what matches our worldview.
Um, Panic? (137)
Define: Empirical Evidence
Empirical evidence is evidence received through our senses.
Do you agree or disagree with Gladstone’s statement that “cell phone addiction may be our way of medicating against isolation. And information addiction may inoculate us against echo chambers”? What have you noticed about when and how you use your cell phone?
I agree with Gladstone’s claim that cell phones are countering loneliness because with one you are able to stay in touch with people you would have otherwise long forgotten about. You are also able to continue speaking with your friends even when you can’t see each other face to face. Personally, I often use my cell phone when I am unable to talk to my friends in person.
Join the debate in the graphic on p.139. Do you agree with Smith-Lovin’s argument about social media, or Rainie? Why? Provide an example from your life. Consider Gladstone’s own critiques on the pages that follow as well.
I agree with Rainie’s arguments as I have used technology to keep in touch with a friend who moved to Michigan and one who moved to Singapore.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that technology and social media aren’t inherently evil. While echo chambers do exist, technology is actually helping expand the amount and diversity of people you interact with. Additionally, keeping in touch through technology is almost as good as in person.
I, Robot (145)
According to Ray Kurzwell, what is the "Singularity?"
The merging of the real and the virtual.
How does Gladstone's description of technological advances in our society relate to McLuhan's famous adage, "The medium is the message"? Reference the graphics on pg 146-148
In pages 146-148, Gladstone is arguing that the way we use technology, such as a megaphone vs. a telephone conveys a message on our goal.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that technology is advancing to the inevitable point that our bodies are merged seamlessly with the internet. We will all become interconnected effortlessly and we’ll be able to reach beyond our bodily limitations. While some people may not believe it will happen, it is highly likely that it will.
I, Media (150)
According to Gladstone, how can we "ensure that our development as moral and social animals keeps pace with our rapidly evolving communications technology" (150)?
Do you believe her approach is effective? What might you add or take away?
We can ensure that by playing an active role. I do agree with her approach because thanks to social media and the internet in general, the general public can find out about things that otherwise would have never gotten attention.
Summarize the main idea of this chapter in 3 sentences.
The main idea of this chapter is that the world in increasingly informed about occurrences all around the globe. We have to work to continue innovating a receiving reliable information. It is up to us to keep our media accurate and well-informed.
After-Reading
Respond to this text as a whole. What implications does it raise for you as a consumer of news media? How has it impacted your view of news, media, and/or technology? Cite at least one specific example from the text of something that you found interesting, shocking, or relevant to your life today and make at least one personal connection to how this text was relevant to your life. Respond in 7-10 sentences.
This text has made me aware of some implicit biases that the media have, that aren’t just political. While I would still trust sources even if they do have these biases, I think it helps me form my opinions to be aware of their biases. It has impacted my view of the media by forcing me to take a deeper look into how media is produced. I think that this will help me evaluate news and other types of sources and identify their biases in the future. Something I found interesting in the text is that all technology has been met with the same criticism at first but then became such an integral part of our lives that we wouldn’t even consider getting rid of it, like the alphabet. Another thing I found incredibly interesting was the birds on the wire metaphor. That metaphor opened my eyes to how the media tends to function, after one news outlet doesn’t get in trouble for covering a topic, the rest of the news outlets will also begin to cover that topic. However, the section on different biases I would say is the most useful to my personal life as it will help me identify biases of news sources I encounter in real life so that I am able to form my own opinions based on the facts presented to me.