Technidigm-2000
On-the-Level
Common Sense, Technically Speaking
Copyright 1996, Technidigm

The News Media
and the
Social Pendulum

Almost by definition, a conservative system is one that is well defined, with little or no changes and with no significant risk of making a mistake. The news media, as a system, thrives in an atmosphere of constant change, attempting to gain the interest people in the silent majority. Conservatives are not newsworthy except to the extent that they oppose liberal changes to the status quo. They become news when they seek to change the status quo which, after several decades of liberalism, is viewed by conservatives as needing to be changed. Those in the news media who are caught up in the liberal changes are currently at a disadvantage since the conservative news media led by Rush Limbaugh have been able to capture the attention of the silent majority by using the same theme -- the need for change. The pendulum swings in both directions!

All the news media have a vested interest in changes and in reporting those changes. This includes those in the news media who consider themselves to be impartial. They thrive on change, but change can be justified only when the status quo is not adequate. Therefore, the status quo is more likely to be attacked by the news media. A questioning attitude is the safest approach, since it is non-committal while being destructive. It tentatively conveys a level one opinion to the audience while avoiding the three more credible levels, especially level four decisions and accountability. Even the most conscientious news reporter is likely to be limited to a mixture of level two facts and level three research. Such a mixture of the lower levels can be slanted to show the need for change, but it then offers no path forward for such changes.

While the pendulum of social change swings constantly, the underlying polar arguments persist. When possible, each side states its case in terms of common sense and pragmatism. From Rush Limbaugh's conservative perspective, liberals are still emotionally-driven big spenders of other people's money. To liberals, there is enough wealth for everyone if only they can spread it around. Neither position goes beyond Technidigm-2000's level one.

To a systems oriented conservative, if change is to be undertaken, it must be based upon deliberate implementation, feedback, and appropriate corrective action. Concurrent changes in multiple areas are to be avoided so that feedback signals from different programs or systems are not likely to be confused with each other. To conservatives, big changes should be tested in well-designed pilot programs. Positive, overall benefits from expensive changes should be expected and demanded. Conservatism may have a significant head start in its application of common sense from a systematic perspective, but the process still must operate at level four. Rush Limbaugh's level one ridicule-the-liberals-and-their- media-cohorts job is simply does not go far enough.

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