Audio available in app
The media tends to exaggerate the prevalence of violence from "summary" of The Better Angels of Our Nature by Steven Pinker
The media tends to exaggerate the prevalence of violence. Every day the news is filled with stories of murder, assault, terrorism, and war. We are bombarded with images of bloodshed and mayhem, creating the impression that violence is rampant and on the rise. It is easy to believe that we live in a dangerous world, where danger lurks around every corner. However, this perception is not supported by the data. In reality, violence has been steadily declining over the course of human history. The reason for this discrepancy lies in the nature of news reporting. The media has a bias towards reporting on events that are rare and shocking, as these are the stories that capture our attention and draw in viewers. As a result, acts of violence are given disproportionate coverage, creating the illusion that they are more common than they actually are. This phenomenon has been termed the "availability heuristic" by psychologists, whereby people judge the frequency of an event based on how easily they can recall examples of it. Furthermore, the media tends to focus on indiv...
Similar Posts
Impacting future generations
The atrocities committed against us were not just isolated acts of violence. They were meant to send a message, to instill fear...
Bangla crime narratives offer insights into gender relations in society
The crime narratives in Bangla literature provide a unique perspective on the dynamics of gender relations within society. Thro...
Economic factors play a significant role in the region's stability
The stability of a region is intricately linked to its economic conditions. This is particularly true in the Middle East, where...
Youth engagement is crucial for the future of democracy
The vitality of democracy in our society hinges on the active participation of young people. Their engagement is not just a mat...
Reality TV blurs the line between truth and fiction
Neil Postman argues that the rise of reality TV has created a blurred line between truth and fiction in our society. He suggest...
The idea of the "criminal mastermind" is a myth
The concept of the "criminal mastermind" is a popular one in our society, often portrayed in movies and television shows as a h...