Think Like A Journalist | Kelsey Samuels | TEDxPlano

Summary

The speaker shares her journey of realizing the impact of fake news and personal biases on shaping perspectives. As a reporter, she emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and questioning one's beliefs to stay grounded in reality. She advises diversifying news sources, being discerning with shared news, and seeking different perspectives to ensure beliefs reflect the truth.

Takeaways

• 💔 The speaker's early experience with heartbreak taught her a lesson about the unreliability of first impressions and the pain of being wrong.
• 📰 As a reporter, the speaker emphasizes the importance of accuracy in journalism and the impact that media can have on shaping public perception.
• 🌐 The current era is marked by mistrust in media, with terms like 'alternative facts' and 'fake news' becoming commonplace.
• 📊 A study by Stanford and NYU highlighted the prevalence of fake news during the 2016 election and its influence on people's beliefs.
• 📈 The study showed that people were more likely to remember and believe Pro-Trump stories over Pro-Clinton stories, indicating a potential bias.
• 🤔 The speaker suggests that people are using news to reinforce their personal biases rather than adjusting their beliefs based on evidence.
• 🔍 The first step to combat fake news is self-reflection and questioning one's own beliefs and sources of information.
• 📱 The rapid pace of news sharing on social media has eliminated traditional gatekeepers, making everyone their own gatekeeper.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The speaker's parents taught her about the harsh realities of history and racism, preparing her for the challenges of understanding the world.
• 🌉 The realization that the world is not post-racial and that racism is still prevalent was a turning point for the speaker, prompting her to reevaluate her beliefs.
• 🌟 To stay truthful and grounded, the speaker advises diversifying news sources, seeking different perspectives, and being open to being wrong.

Q & A

What was the speaker's initial perception of Steven during her high school years?

The speaker initially perceived Steven as tall, dark, and handsome, similar to Wesley Snipes, and she was deeply in love with him. She was ready to consider a future with him even at the mention of something as simple as 'bless you'.

How did the speaker's view of Steven change after Homecoming?

The speaker's view of Steven changed dramatically when he ditched her at Homecoming and was seen making out with a random girl. This was contrary to the affectionate gestures he had shown her earlier, such as buying her snacks and taking her home from school.

What did Steven give the speaker on Valentine's Day that led to misunderstanding?

On Valentine's Day, Steven gave the speaker a box of chocolates and a teddy bear holding a heart that said 'I love you', which she initially perceived as a romantic gesture. However, she later found out that he had given identical gifts to three other girls.

What is the speaker's profession and how does it relate to the theme of truth and accuracy?

The speaker is a reporter for the Plano Star Courier, covering a wide range of topics from breaking news to community events. Her job emphasizes the importance of accuracy in reporting, as her work shapes the community's perspective and trust in various institutions.

What study is mentioned in the script that highlights the impact of fake news during the 2016 election?

The script refers to a study conducted by Stanford and NYU on social media and fake news during the 2016 election, which found that people saw and remembered 92% of Pro-Trump stories and only 23% of Pro-Clinton stories, indicating a significant impact on public perception.

How does the speaker suggest that people reinforce their biases through media consumption?

The speaker suggests that people reinforce their biases by using media to confirm their pre-existing beliefs rather than adjusting their beliefs based on the evidence presented. This is often done by choosing to consume news from sources that align with their personal views.

What is the first step the speaker recommends to combat the spread of fake news?

The first step the speaker recommends is self-reflection, where individuals take a step back and question their own beliefs and the sources of their information to ensure they are not contributing to the spread of misinformation.

Why does the speaker believe it's important to diversify the sources of news we consume?

The speaker believes it's important to diversify news sources to ensure a broader understanding of the truth. By consuming news from a variety of perspectives, individuals can challenge their biases and ensure their beliefs are a true reflection of reality.

What personal experience does the speaker share about realizing her own misconceptions about racism?

The speaker shares her experience of realizing her misconceptions about racism when she was confronted with the reality of Trayvon Martin's case. She had created a social media bubble that excluded discussions of racism and injustice, leading her to live in a false reality.

How does the speaker suggest we should approach news consumption to ensure we stay grounded in reality?

The speaker suggests that we should approach news consumption with a critical eye, questioning the sources, reading beyond headlines, and considering multiple perspectives. She also encourages diversifying news sources and being open to perspectives that challenge our own beliefs.