On the Media: September 30, 2011 – Comprehensive Summary

Podcast Information:

• Title: On the Media
• Host/Author: WNYC Studios
• Description: On the Media explores the intricacies of media production, scrutinizing threats to free speech, government transparency, and media coverage of significant events. Hosted by Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield, the podcast delves into the underlying political narratives shaping what we consume.

1. Prosecution of Muslim Students for Disrupting a Speech (00:21 – 08:11)

The episode opens with a discussion about a legal case where eleven Muslim students from the University of California, Irvine, were prosecuted for conspiring to disrupt a speech by Israel's ambassador, Michael Oren. The students, known as the "Irvine 11," faced charges of conspiracy and disturbance.

Key Points:

• Legal Justification: Tony Rikakis, the Orange County District Attorney, emphasized the "overwhelming evidence" including emails, videos, and eyewitness accounts that indicated a planned effort to prevent Oren's speech. Rikakis stated, "This was a serious challenge to freedom of speech." (01:11).

• Constitutional Debate: Gabriel Stricker questioned whether the prosecution was a form of censorship, arguing that the Constitution protects against government repression, not individual actions. Bob Garfield countered, stating, "They did make a censorship decision, regardless of who was involved." (02:08).

• Community Impact: Brooke Gladstone expressed concerns about the prosecution exacerbating community tensions, noting the long history of conflicts between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli groups at UCI. She argued that criminal charges kept wounds open instead of allowing the community to heal (05:14).

• Free Speech Considerations: The conversation highlighted that while the First Amendment protects speech, it does not grant the right to disrupt others' ability to speak. Brooke concluded, "There is no first amendment right to go into any public meeting and shout down the speakers." (07:32).

Notable Quotes:

• Tony Rikakis: "We just can't allow one group to stop everybody else from putting their views forward." (03:49)
• Brooke Gladstone: "They should be punished by the university. There's no need for criminal prosecution now." (07:04)

2. Google's Handling of Offensive Search Results (08:11 – 12:11)

The discussion shifts to Google's approach in managing offensive or misleading search results, particularly concerning the website spreadingsantorum.com, which provided an obscene definition of politician Rick Santorum's name.

Key Points:

• Algorithm Adjustments: Gabriel Stricker questioned whether Google altered its search algorithms to suppress derogatory content. Bob Garfield clarified that while Google does not remove pages based on unpopularity, they acknowledge problematic results with a "house ad" expressing their disapproval (10:08).

• Transparency Measures: Google implemented messages indicating their discomfort with certain search results, encouraging users to view explanations without removing the content entirely (11:16).

• Precedent and Policy: The conversation touched on previous instances like "Google bombing," where search results were manipulated, leading Google to adjust its algorithms to prevent gaming of search outcomes (09:18 – 12:11).

Notable Quotes:

• Bob Garfield: "We don't want people gaming our search results. We want to provide the best answer for your question." (10:24)
• Gabriel Stricker: "That's something that we call a house ad." (11:53)

3. Vladimir Putin's Return to Power and Media Control in Russia (12:24 – 19:08)

The podcast examines Russian politics, focusing on President Dmitry Medvedev's endorsement of Vladimir Putin for the 2012 presidential election and the state of media freedom in Russia.

Key Points:

• Political Maneuvering: Medvedev's endorsement signaled Putin's return to full presidential power after a period of shared leadership. This move was met with widespread applause and favorable media coverage within Russia's controlled media landscape (13:00).

• Media Suppression: Fred Weir, a correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor, highlighted the limited scope of dissenting voices in Russian media, noting that opposition critiques exist but have minimal impact (14:03).

• Public Perception vs. Reality: Despite controlled media and suppression of pluralism, Putin remains popular due to restored stability and economic gains from rising oil prices. However, experts express concern that centralized power could lead to stagnation and disconnect from public sentiment (17:07).

• Future Implications: There is skepticism about whether Putin will implement liberal reforms. While some believe centralized power allows for efficient governance, others fear it may lead to authoritarianism reminiscent of Soviet-style politics (18:03).

Notable Quotes:

• Fred Weir: "They don't get the signals that angry voters can deliver." (17:20)
• Bob Garfield: "If nobody's agitating for a return to Wild West democracy, do they matter?" (17:20)

4. Satellite Sentinel Project: Monitoring Human Rights in Sudan (19:08 – 24:48)

The episode introduces the Satellite Sentinel Project, an initiative co-founded by George Clooney and John Prendergast, aimed at preventing atrocities in Sudan through real-time satellite imagery.

Key Points:

• Project Goals: The Satellite Sentinel Project seeks to deter mass atrocities by documenting troop movements and human rights violations from the sky, thereby creating accountability for potential war crimes (19:53).

• Operational Mechanics: Utilizing commercial satellites and ground reports from sources like Nathaniel Raymond's team at the Harvard Humanitarian Initiative, the project identifies areas of concern and provides actionable intelligence to prevent violence (20:20).

• Impact and Challenges: The project successfully identified mass graves and troop mobilizations, which were reported to the UN Security Council. However, geopolitical factors, like opposition from China and Russia, hindered immediate action (23:44).

• Media Collaboration: Satellite Sentinel collaborates with journalists by providing satellite imagery and summarized eyewitness reports, enhancing journalistic investigations into human rights abuses (22:38).

Notable Quotes:

• Jonathan Hudson: "Our biggest report to date came on July 14th. We reported the first three of what we've now found are eight mass graves." (21:29)
• Ira Flatow: "We are telling the public, here's the information. Now you can see it, and you can pressure policymakers." (24:17)

5. Pew Research Study on Local News Consumption (24:48 – 30:54)

Lee Rainey from the Pew Research Center discusses a study that analyzes how Americans consume local news across 16 different topics, challenging the notion of television's dominance.

Key Points:

• Diverse Information Sources: The study found that while TV remains the primary source for weather, traffic, and breaking news, newspapers are crucial for civic information such as local government and school activities (25:43).

• Internet's Role: The Internet emerged as the leading source for information on local businesses, restaurants, housing, schools, and jobs, particularly among individuals under 40 (28:44).

• Word of Mouth: Surprisingly, 55% of respondents relied on word of mouth for local news, ranking second only to TV. This includes information shared via social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook (29:15).

• Implications for Newspapers: Although newspapers are often regarded as primary information sources, the study revealed that 69% felt the disappearance of local newspapers would have minimal impact, highlighting a shift towards digital and interpersonal information channels (27:05).

Notable Quotes:

• Lee Rainey: "Newspapers are the originators of more than half the new information in the community." (27:23)
• Brooke Gladstone: "It's really sad to see a bad decision become precedent for future bad decisions." (07:32)

6. Gaming for Scientific and Personal Recovery: Foldit and SuperBetter (30:54 – 50:44)

The final segment explores the innovative use of gaming for solving complex scientific problems and aiding personal recovery through the games Foldit and SuperBetter.

a. Foldit: Crowdsourcing Protein Folding (30:54 – 38:35)

Key Points:

• Scientific Breakthrough: Foldit, an online puzzle game, enabled gamers to model the structure of an enzyme critical to understanding diseases like AIDS. Within ten days, players solved a protein structure that had stumped scientists for over a decade (32:47).

• Gameplay Mechanics: Players manipulate 3D models of proteins, optimizing their structures to achieve the most stable configurations. The game's design abstracts biochemical concepts, allowing players without scientific backgrounds to contribute effectively (34:47).

• Educational and Collaborative Aspects: Foldit fosters a community where players can collaborate, share solutions, and continuously improve upon each other's work, enhancing both scientific understanding and educational engagement (36:16).

Notable Quotes:

• Jane McGonigal: "If you know the shape of each one of the proteins, you more or less know the secret of life." (32:58)
• Jane McGonigal: "We are trying to revolutionize education in the same way." (37:35)

b. SuperBetter: Gamifying Personal Recovery (38:35 – 50:44)

Key Points:

• Personal Story: Brooke Gladstone shares her experience recovering from a traumatic brain injury, highlighting the psychological challenges of recovery, including depression and suicidal ideation (39:02).

• Game Mechanics: SuperBetter transforms the recovery process into a "recovery adventure game," where users embark on missions, identify "power-ups," defeat "bad guys," and set "epic wins." This gamification aims to foster positive emotions and social connections essential for healing (40:14).

• Community and Support: The game encourages players to involve friends and family as allies, creating a support network that mirrors multiplayer online games. For those without immediate support, an online community is available to connect with others facing similar challenges (45:01).

• Future Applications: Beyond personal recovery, SuperBetter is being tested in corporate settings to help employees achieve health goals like weight loss and smoking cessation (44:22).

Notable Quotes:

• Brooke Gladstone: "I'm either going to kill myself or I'm going to turn this into a game." (39:42)
• Brooke Gladstone: "We are trying to unlock things that games do better than anything else." (43:30)
• Jane McGonigal: "Really, it's like a life management tool." (40:54)

Interactive Segment:

• Testimonial: Alex Goldman, a producer who suffered a serious accident, shares his ordeal and expresses optimism about using SuperBetter to manage his recovery, planning to document his six-week journey on the podcast's website (45:42 – 49:27).

Conclusion

The September 30, 2011 episode of On the Media traverses a diverse array of topics, from legal battles over free speech and the ethical responsibilities of tech giants to the evolving landscape of local news consumption and the groundbreaking intersection of gaming with science and personal health. Through in-depth discussions and expert insights, hosts Brooke Gladstone and Bob Garfield illuminate the multifaceted relationship between media, technology, and society.

Final Notable Moments:

• Call to Action: Listeners are encouraged to engage with ongoing projects like SuperBetter and follow personal recovery stories on the podcast's website.
• Closing Notes: The episode concludes with acknowledgments to producers and sponsors, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the informative content.

This summary encapsulates the essential discussions and insights from the On the Media episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and those interested in the interplay between media, technology, and societal issues.