Granted, the way he frames the right-left problem is oversimplified - certainly outlets like NYT and CNN do not intentionally try to cultivate a specialized audience. But no media is "objective" - it all presents a perspective and an agenda as to what is important. P is trying to make sense of this situation, and, believe it or not, he concludes that a fragmented media isn't so bad (should've kept reading!) These dismissive reactions from Keller and Shafer just reinforce my perception that journalists are not sufficiently self-critical.

I stopped reading the Posner article one he mentioned that Fox news has forced CNN to become more liberal...anyone who thinks that is true clearly doesn't watch CNN or has a grasp on the current state of media. I totally agree with Keller on this one and also with Slate's attack of the Posner piece a few weeks ago. Posner basically just regurgitates the right-left extrene criticism of the media, without ever surveying it himself and making a sober assessment.

Wow, thanks for the link to the Posner essay. It's actually pretty good, and Bill Keller's sanctimonious response shows what's wrong with NYT.

I read gothamist because I (usually) like the way the news is filtered through a 20s-30-something perspective. It can be superficial and snarky, but at least it's written by people I could probably stand to meet in real life. The NYT, OTOH, often reeks of upper-class Manhattanite elitism and complacency, and they seem totally blind to that fact. (And indeed, all mainstream media seem devoted to the idea that their shit doesn't stink.) Hopefully someday they will finally give up the "paper of record" sanctimony and just try to be damn good.

So, anybody read a blog that samples smart, incisive stuff like the Posner essay? (Posner's blog itself looks promising.)

Has anyone asked why such young kids were outside, let alone awake, at 2:00 AM?

Regardless, what that boy did was remarkable.