Richard V. Rupp

November 20, 2024

I'm novelist Richard V. Rupp, writing to you from Burbank, California – "Media Capital of the World."

 

Welcome to my monthly newsletter, published on the third Wednesday of each month.

 

In the novel I've been working on for far too long, SKYWARD – Earth Has An Expiration Date, a group of wealthy young Americans realizes the Earth will not be habitable by humans for much longer. They recognize that as deterioration proceeds, the social structures developed by humans will also deteriorate. They are unsure how to fix what is happening but realize they must do something to save humanity.

 

My manuscript has proceeded slowly because my story comments on what is occurring today in our society. Unfortunately for me and maybe the world, the changes are coming faster than expected. As soon as I rewrite something, I find it is outdated. As the presidential election indicates, our linear or traditional press has the same problem. Many of the journalists have had their heads in the sand.

 

A younger, knowledgeable segment of our society that does not rely on traditional media sources does understand what is happening and is starting to respond. There understanding is reflected in the results of our Presidential election.

 

My comments in this post may be skewed because of the physical pain I am going through. I recently visited a specialist dentist, thinking I was going in for a single root canal, only to learn that I need three, maybe four of them. Based on anticipated pain and the economic impact, I spread the process over several months. I was advised that the tooth would be uncomfortable or even painful, but this should subside within 7 – 10 days. Ugh, I hope so. I think this may impact my disposition as I write.

 

I hate to keep pointing this out in my posts, but with my pain and commenting on the election, this disclaimer should be repeated. In my old gig, I did research and then provided my best estimate of what the future may bring derived from that research. I try to stay unbiased, but with this post, you may think differently. The presidential election clarified things in my mind as to where society is headed. In the minds of many others, there seems to be a lot of consternation.  

 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will play an essential role in this change. Thanks to my friend Sally here at the Burbank Senior Artists Center, who, after reading my last post, brought to my attention the concept of "singularity," where human and artificial intelligence merge. This concept is borrowed from the world of quantum physics.

 

IRVING JOHN GOOD, a British mathematician commenting on "singularity," indicated it could provide a

positive feedback loop of self-improvement cycles, each successive and more intelligent generation appearing more and more rapidly, causing a rapid increase ("explosion") in intelligence, which would ultimately result in a powerful superintelligence, qualitatively far surpassing all human intelligence.

 

Returning to the election, it suggested that the masses do not want to be dictated to by a national government that has gone astray and is making personal decisions for them. It also pointed out that Information communication is quickly moving from traditional linear media (controlled by a few) to digital social media (widespread).

 

I conclude that "climate change" will occur because of a lack of cooperation between nations (and segments of groups within nations). Measures to avoid it cause considerable harm (economic, starvation) to disadvantaged and poverty-stricken segments of society and, to a degree, the average person. Blue skies will be replaced by unbreathable brown haze, requiring humans to hunker down in domed or underground habitats. Outside of the climate-protected facilities, advanced robotics will be used to do what humans used to do. Differing social mores will cause segmentation of society, hopefully peacefully and based on the same concept as when the United States was formed, where individual states and commonwealths were formed to allow for differing social mores (customs, norms, rules, behaviors, central v individual control, religion). Some will look SKYWARD (the new "go west young man") to expand the human domain to include the universe.

 

ELECTION SURPRISE

 

The above conclusions are based on comments like the following -

 

VARIETY commented on the election: "Trump's election isn't just a repudiation of elites—it's a vivid sign of mainstream media's waning power in the era of influencers."

 

JEN PSAKI, former white house press secretary and now MSNBC host, indicates

she has done a lot of introspection after Trump's appeal was underestimated yet again. "I've tried to really force myself to, in this moment, be humble about what I misread and what I didn't see, what many of us misread. There is a huge disconnect" between voters and the Democratic Party." 

 

THE ECONOMIST - "We have taken a close look at what all of this means for the world economy. The conclusion markets seem to be drawing is that things will work out just fine. And indeed Mr Trump's commitment to deregulation may be good for growth." 

 

MOLLY JONG-FAST, a New York-based American writer, journalist, author, political commentator, and podcaster - "I was sure Kamala Harris was going to win. I was convinced she would have a mandate. But now, more than a week after Election Day, I can admit I was wrong.

 

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MAINSTREAM TELEVISION JOURNALISTS and COMMENTATORS (which I still watch) live in a world of their own - It's called New York and California (two of the few states that did not vote for Trump). They don't understand the rest of the country. The fact that Trump managed to get a majority of the popular vote was a real surprise to them. As I watched the faces of the mainstream TV press on election night, I realized they had no idea what was happening. The expressions of the New York and LA-based journalists were unbelievable. It proved that traditional or linear TV is totally out of touch with most of our Country. ABC, CBS, NBC, and CNN news commentators didn't see another Trump administration as a realistic possibility and certainly didn't anticipate his decisive victory. 

 

The surprised faces go back to the fact that the majority of mainstream TV journalists are all from or based in New York and California, liberal bastions that scare the rest of the Country. It was interesting that Trump made significant gains with minority and low-income voters in California and New York. One article I read indicated that "across the ideological breadth of the Democratic Party, a consensus is taking shape: it is a party that is badly out of touch with the median voter; a shrinking tent big enough only for the cultural elite and a few other shards of its past coalition members."

 

WILL BUNCH with THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER indicated that the election was dominated by "fury from the middle class over how much it costs to get by in today's America."

 

The major thing the traditional press got wrong was that they got caught up in their liberal interests and failed to follow JAMES CARVILLE's axiom, "It's the economy, stupid." They did not heed the SOCIETY OF PROFESSIONAL JOURNALISTS' caution to their members: "Report the story, don't become part of it." JASON Y. LEE, founder and CEO of JUBILEE MEDIA, which has 9.4 million subscribers, said, "In traditional media, you can feel producers. You can feel the strings and what they are trying to accomplish. I think there is an aversion to that." I felt those strings being pulled when watching the pre-election coverage by the traditional TV networks.

 

From what I saw, their opinions became a significant part of the story. Voter interviews (young, old, liberal, and conservative) following the election indicated they believed that the TV press "slanted" their stories to disparage Trump. Here are some of the voter's comments -  "If you try to win elections by talking to the elites of this country, you're going to get your ass kicked." – "Preachy – She looked down at me."

 

An NBC survey indicated, "Among people who got their news from 'newspapers,' Harris was winning 70-21. Among people who got their news from YOUTUBE and GOOGLE, Trump led 55-39." Young viewers get their information from TikTok, YOUTUBE, and X, skipping the evening news broadcasts and cable shows as they go without paying TV subscriptions.

 

THE CHANGING MEDIA

 

I noted several articles indicting traditional TV anchors and correspondents who were concerned about their jobs based on how they covered the presidential election. CNN is reportedly considering hundreds of layoffs after seeing election night ratings nosedive from 13.3M viewers in 2016 to just 5.1M this past election. It is now apparent that TV viewers outside of New York and California did not believe the stories they pedaled before the election. A GALLUP poll indicated trust in mass media institutions is at a record low.

 

This morning, COMCAST announced a plan to spin off its cable networks into a separate company as millions of its customers exit the traditional television in favor of streaming. COMCAST is separating its entertainment and news channels, including USA Network, Oxygen, E!, Syfy, and Golf Channel, into a new, publicly traded company and retaining the core of NBCUniversal's entertainment assets, including its NBC broadcast network, sports, and news, its film and television studios, as well as the Bravo network, which are seen as core to fueling the growth of its Peacock streaming service. Financial analysts predict this is just the tip of the iceberg with respect to changes in the media industry.

 

I suspect the NORAH O'DONNELL announcement that she will be stepping down from her role as anchor and managing editor of CBS EVENING NEWS may be associated with this media change.

 

Not only are the readers and viewers dumping the traditional media, but so are people who were vested in the media dumping it. An example of this is CHRIS WALLACE. The 77-year-old broadcast veteran has left his seven-figure CNN job to join the streaming world. He states, "That's where the action seems to be." With falling revenues, CNN is rumored to have denied salary increases to its other top broadcasters, such as JAKE TAPPER and WOLF BLITZER. It is rumored that ANDERSON COOPER and ERIN BURNETT may be looking for new jobs soon.

 

Concerning what's further happening with traditional newspapers, the ASSOCIATED PRESS announced that it would begin offering buyouts and lay off selected employees as part of a plan to reduce the news outlet's staff by about 8% and accelerate a transition to a "digital-first organization."

 

The ASSOCIATED PRESS, THE GUARDIAN, WASHINGTON POST and FINANCIAL TIMES are all now using various forms of AI in their newsrooms. The GUARDIAN has been experimenting with AI for various tasks, including "content generation" and "audience engagement. "They are also exploring how AI can help in "story discovery: and "fact-checking". The WASHINGTON POST uses AI to assist with "data analysis" and "story discovery". The FINANCIAL TIMES employs AI for "data mining" and "automated reporting", especially for financial news and market updates. They also use AI to enhance "audience engagement" through personalized content.

 

In researching this topic, I came across a new acronym, OTT, which stands for Over-the-Top. OTT indicates that film and TV content will be delivered over the internet across many different devices, without the need for traditional broadcast, cable, or satellite pay-tv providers. In simple terms, OTT streaming means paying an internet provider, like Xfinity, for internet access to watch Netflix without paying for cable TV.

 

MY KIND OF PLACE

 

Enough serious stuff. Especially as my tooth starts to hurt again, I'm thinking of another form of pain relief. As most of you know, my regular watering hole is STORY TAVERN. But it has limited hours. A place that is almost always open here in Burbank is BARNEY'S BEANERY. Its original location in West Hollywood was just a short distance from where I was brought up.

 

I laughed at a recent VARIETY article that indicated MEAGHAN OPPENHEIMER, a Hollywood showrunner (the individual who has primary creative control and management of a TV show), recently called Barney's a "dive bar."

 

If it is a dive bar, it's not a typical one. It's a full-service bar and restaurant with a rich history dating back to 1902. Both the one in Burbank and the original West Hollywood location have a casual and raucous atmosphere, making them popular spots for groups and individuals alike. They offer a wide selection of beers on draft, specialty cocktails, and a diverse menu that includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While it has a laid-back vibe and a history of being a hangout for celebrities and artists, it's more of a classic roadhouse than a dive bar.

 

Yep, my kind of place.

 

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If you are new to my posts and find this one interesting, you can read my prior posts, learn about my novels, and learn more about me on my website at www.richardvrupp.com. You can also sign up in the RUPP'S NOTES section to get my posts directly.

 

For those of you who have not read my novels, they are available on Amazon.com. Amazon.com: Richard V. Rupp: books, biography, latest update 

 

Until next month.

 

Cheers, 

 

Richard V. Rupp, Author

Website – www.richardvrupp.com

Email – rupprisk@gmail.com

Copyright@2024 by Richard V. Rupp