Brilliant analysis of how these self-validating polls may be the greatest threat to the survival of democracy yet. It's infuriating how even the liberal leaning and pro-democracy media is proliferating this disinformation instead of dismantling it. Thank you for doing so.
I love how you expose the bs of polls here and the way the media handles them, even reporting on their own “shock” that the polls got it wrong. “Quite honestly” (ha!), I’ve long thought that most journalists are ignorant about how research with people is conducted and what it means - as in, most survey data is noisy as heck and, at worst, highly biased as these polls are. Nobody should be reporting percentages of the “American people” from polls without indicating who was surveyed, sample size, and what questions were asked, as you’ve done here.
As for what to do about this long-running media idiocy, more sunlight and all that - Rachel M, John Oliver, Samantha Bee, it’s their wheelhouse, but it will still only reach the mostly converted. If I go on much longer, I’ll want stick a knife in my throat - sometimes, it’s not fun teaching journalism - but mainstream media, including elite media, really needs to dump the Ailes playbook and do an institutional revamp. Okay, screed over 😉
I love your screed! Feel free to screed, screech, and sputter here any time! And FYI, I’m wanting to start a regular feature on BordoLines to fill the vacuum left by Erich Boehlert’s death. I posted about it on “notes” today. Please give it whatever PR you can!
Nailed it again, Bordo! I’d add that there is this little matter of proportionality, even if the charge was against Biden and not his son. Hunter Biden is charged with owning a gun while using drugs. Trump is charged with attempting to overthrow the state.
Why is it that supposedly reasoned newscasters can’t go after these specious polls. Let’s start a write in to his statistical majesty, Steve Kornacki. Time to turn it up, Steve. Go after these statistically pitiful polls. Let’s send Bordo’s piece to him and ask him what we pay him for.
Thank you! Yes, proportionality. We never hear about that, do we? And just this afternoon I’m sitting here listening to them blather about how the “heat is being turned up” on Hunter. Re. Kornacki, I don’t think his statistical majesty (love it) has the right kind of investigative brain to turn it up beyond his usual shtick at the board. But Rachel and Joy and Lawrence do. Especially Rachel, who used to love a good expose. She doesn’t seem inclined to do that any more, though, does she?
This article and your analysis of the liberal media's role in electing Trump are essential reporting and reading. The conundrum is what to do.
Anti-Trump media like MSNBC and anti-Trump groups like The Bulwark have a financial incentive to promote the threat and fear of Trump. To do so, they harp on Biden's age and his son as problems that will make the election "neck and neck."
You've given us all a lot to think about. Now we need to see how each of us can turn thought into action. To be continued....
Remember., people often lie to pollsters - Bradley Effect, Silent Majority etc. are real issues, if sometimes exaggurated ones, and it not helped by the more... AOC and Bernie... types claiming people are being "tricked" or "gaslighted" into voting against socialist fetishes like nationalization. It's a SECRET BALLOT! In the privacy of the voting booth, people CAN VOTE AS THEY THINK!
Brilliant analysis of how these self-validating polls may be the greatest threat to the survival of democracy yet. It's infuriating how even the liberal leaning and pro-democracy media is proliferating this disinformation instead of dismantling it. Thank you for doing so.
Thank you!
This is a really great piece, Susan. Thanks for writing it.
Thank you. And loved yours too!!j
I love how you expose the bs of polls here and the way the media handles them, even reporting on their own “shock” that the polls got it wrong. “Quite honestly” (ha!), I’ve long thought that most journalists are ignorant about how research with people is conducted and what it means - as in, most survey data is noisy as heck and, at worst, highly biased as these polls are. Nobody should be reporting percentages of the “American people” from polls without indicating who was surveyed, sample size, and what questions were asked, as you’ve done here.
As for what to do about this long-running media idiocy, more sunlight and all that - Rachel M, John Oliver, Samantha Bee, it’s their wheelhouse, but it will still only reach the mostly converted. If I go on much longer, I’ll want stick a knife in my throat - sometimes, it’s not fun teaching journalism - but mainstream media, including elite media, really needs to dump the Ailes playbook and do an institutional revamp. Okay, screed over 😉
I love your screed! Feel free to screed, screech, and sputter here any time! And FYI, I’m wanting to start a regular feature on BordoLines to fill the vacuum left by Erich Boehlert’s death. I posted about it on “notes” today. Please give it whatever PR you can!
Nailed it again, Bordo! I’d add that there is this little matter of proportionality, even if the charge was against Biden and not his son. Hunter Biden is charged with owning a gun while using drugs. Trump is charged with attempting to overthrow the state.
Why is it that supposedly reasoned newscasters can’t go after these specious polls. Let’s start a write in to his statistical majesty, Steve Kornacki. Time to turn it up, Steve. Go after these statistically pitiful polls. Let’s send Bordo’s piece to him and ask him what we pay him for.
Thank you! Yes, proportionality. We never hear about that, do we? And just this afternoon I’m sitting here listening to them blather about how the “heat is being turned up” on Hunter. Re. Kornacki, I don’t think his statistical majesty (love it) has the right kind of investigative brain to turn it up beyond his usual shtick at the board. But Rachel and Joy and Lawrence do. Especially Rachel, who used to love a good expose. She doesn’t seem inclined to do that any more, though, does she?
Susan,
This article and your analysis of the liberal media's role in electing Trump are essential reporting and reading. The conundrum is what to do.
Anti-Trump media like MSNBC and anti-Trump groups like The Bulwark have a financial incentive to promote the threat and fear of Trump. To do so, they harp on Biden's age and his son as problems that will make the election "neck and neck."
You've given us all a lot to think about. Now we need to see how each of us can turn thought into action. To be continued....
robertsdavidn.substack.com/about
Remember., people often lie to pollsters - Bradley Effect, Silent Majority etc. are real issues, if sometimes exaggurated ones, and it not helped by the more... AOC and Bernie... types claiming people are being "tricked" or "gaslighted" into voting against socialist fetishes like nationalization. It's a SECRET BALLOT! In the privacy of the voting booth, people CAN VOTE AS THEY THINK!