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#Newsfail: Climate Change, Feminism, Gun Control, and Other Fun Stuff We Talk About Because Nobody Else Will
#Newsfail( Climate Change Feminism Gun Control and Other Fun Stuff We Talk about Because Nobody Else Will) Hardcover JamieKilstein Simon&Schuster
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2014
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676 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
October 5, 2014
Both Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny are trailblazers when it comes to independent media. Week-to-week, with their "Citizen Radio" show, they combine sharp wit with thought-provoking commentary. And this book is an opportunity to introduce the show to people, who may have never heard of them or bothered to listen to them.
Kilstein and Kilkenny include some of their strongest material, which they have used when discussing topics they have given the most attention: feminism, class warfare, climate change, gun control, drones, etc. Each chapter they provide basic details related to each issue and also offer a collection of #newsfails, where pundits or media organizations were inept, ignorant or just plain shitty.
But the strongest parts of the book are when Kilstein and Kilkenny share their personal histories and talk about how Citizen Radio was started. Whether it is the decision to not work for a corporate media outlet or struggling to get by as they are living on the road or how they first met each other and fell in love, these stories help transform the book from more than a collection of entertaining riffs on today's most important and often ignored issues to a funny memorable manifesto that may inspire others.
Kilstein and Kilkenny include some of their strongest material, which they have used when discussing topics they have given the most attention: feminism, class warfare, climate change, gun control, drones, etc. Each chapter they provide basic details related to each issue and also offer a collection of #newsfails, where pundits or media organizations were inept, ignorant or just plain shitty.
But the strongest parts of the book are when Kilstein and Kilkenny share their personal histories and talk about how Citizen Radio was started. Whether it is the decision to not work for a corporate media outlet or struggling to get by as they are living on the road or how they first met each other and fell in love, these stories help transform the book from more than a collection of entertaining riffs on today's most important and often ignored issues to a funny memorable manifesto that may inspire others.
November 24, 2014
I feel a little bamboozled by this book. Extreme partisan comedy books of this ilk have strict guidelines for their covers. You are suppose to have a close up picture of the white author with a poor font style\color choice with text that says something along the lines of "people of the opposing group are stoopid and just a bunch of sheeple". There's a natural order to these things that helps keep me from accidentally picking up these types of books.
I seem to agree with every position stated in the book but the problem is with how they argue their stance. For example, the authors say that since Daniel Tosh still has a show the claims of censorship by his supporters are unfounded. So are they saying if Daniel Tosh lost his comedy show due to backlash then they would have said, "Whoa now, by pointing out rape culture that exists in the world we are censoring this poor fellow"? I don't think so. Another example, in response to the National Review Online saying the Newtown shooting could have been stopped if there had been more men around, the authors respond with "Well, you know what? There WAS a man there, and he shot everybody." Quite the rebuttal.
That said, I did chuckle at several funny parts in the book which reminded me how I need to laugh more.
I seem to agree with every position stated in the book but the problem is with how they argue their stance. For example, the authors say that since Daniel Tosh still has a show the claims of censorship by his supporters are unfounded. So are they saying if Daniel Tosh lost his comedy show due to backlash then they would have said, "Whoa now, by pointing out rape culture that exists in the world we are censoring this poor fellow"? I don't think so. Another example, in response to the National Review Online saying the Newtown shooting could have been stopped if there had been more men around, the authors respond with "Well, you know what? There WAS a man there, and he shot everybody." Quite the rebuttal.
That said, I did chuckle at several funny parts in the book which reminded me how I need to laugh more.
March 12, 2017
While there are some compelling arguments about media and the public's vague preoccupation with bias, essentially this is just more snark for an echo chamber of smug urban millennials. Think of it as the 200 page equivalent one of those contrarian clickbait articles on Slate or Salon (“Yes, Your Choice of Halloween Candy Does Make You Racist”) that feel dangerously close to liberal self parody. Here, all the post structuralist buzzwords of privilege and patriarchy are present and the words white and man are always used pejoratively. Good god, the authors even use the term mansplaining as though that phenomenon were any different from what occurs throughout this book’s 200 pages. At one point, the authors end an explanation of rape culture by condescendingly saying to reader, “Get it.” This self righteousness doesn’t discount many of the authors’ true claims; it just reinforces that fact that these two writers, Kilstein and Kilkenny, don’t have much to offer beyond tired straw man attacks on convenient boogeymen in the familiar parlance of disaffected millennial idealists. "Stuff We Talk About Because Nobody Else Will"? Go to Jezebel or pretty much any left-leaning wesbite and you'll hear identical rhetoric.
Thing is, I share these authors’ views to a large extent. I’m not sure I particularly like these two—even their repeated attempts at self deprecation throughout the book seem pretentious and, paradoxically, self aggrandizing—but I do for the most part agree with their premises. The problem, other than those straw man arguments where counterclaims are framed as mockingly and ridiculously as possible, is the tone, which is neither particularly funny nor well suited to the topic. By contrast, the best aspect of the book by far is its impassioned defense of Occupy Wall Street, which the authors indict mainstream media of all political leanings for unfairly dismissing. The reason this works so well is because it represents the moment where the authors drop their jokey ironic distance and reveal something genuine, emotional and unpretentious. Sadly, much of rest of the book is about as insightful as listening to an idealistic undergraduate recycle political talking points of much more sophisticated thinkers.
I guess that’s not completely fair. There are a few moments where the two break with orthodoxy and slay a few sacred cows (Jon Stewart, Obama). At least that's unpredictable. And they do sometimes write with genuine passion about a variety of political, economic and environmental issues, although usually in the service of advertising their own podcast. Oddly, they also include among their many polemics the reductive narrative of their love story, casting Kilstein as a clueless male buffoon who wasreprogrammed enlightened by meeting far more wise and ethically minded Kilkenny. He even became a vegan for her. Oh yes, they’re vegans. Even for a liberal, it’s sometimes a challenge to get through a single chapter without sighing in exasperation or turning to a new one without thinking, "I'm pretty sure I know the entirety of this chapter's ideas without reading a single word." I’m sure somewhere there’s an audience for these two, but it’s not here.
Thing is, I share these authors’ views to a large extent. I’m not sure I particularly like these two—even their repeated attempts at self deprecation throughout the book seem pretentious and, paradoxically, self aggrandizing—but I do for the most part agree with their premises. The problem, other than those straw man arguments where counterclaims are framed as mockingly and ridiculously as possible, is the tone, which is neither particularly funny nor well suited to the topic. By contrast, the best aspect of the book by far is its impassioned defense of Occupy Wall Street, which the authors indict mainstream media of all political leanings for unfairly dismissing. The reason this works so well is because it represents the moment where the authors drop their jokey ironic distance and reveal something genuine, emotional and unpretentious. Sadly, much of rest of the book is about as insightful as listening to an idealistic undergraduate recycle political talking points of much more sophisticated thinkers.
I guess that’s not completely fair. There are a few moments where the two break with orthodoxy and slay a few sacred cows (Jon Stewart, Obama). At least that's unpredictable. And they do sometimes write with genuine passion about a variety of political, economic and environmental issues, although usually in the service of advertising their own podcast. Oddly, they also include among their many polemics the reductive narrative of their love story, casting Kilstein as a clueless male buffoon who was
February 10, 2015
If you are informed, there's not much to gain from this book. I've listened to their podcast and, as a white male, it can be infuriating. They don't find much use in me, especially since I drink and like sports. They do spot on impressions of me though. Oh, they also look down upon me because I'm educated. I like academic articles and language. They are ignorant of the possibility that I am an invisible minority. The two have a righteous sense of virtue that doesn't square well when challenged to reflect on their own privilege, including the means to broadcast a show that appeals to a very white audience and is difficult for the impoverished to access or to even relate. Instead of giving them money, please direct your donations to me and I will apply it to the outrageous amount of student loans I accrued in pursuit of working in child welfare.
October 23, 2014
I cannot wait for the next Citizen Radio book! I wanted about 200 pages more. I am just so proud of Jamie and Allison!
April 4, 2016
Super funny, super liberal, super enjoyable.
October 10, 2018
Hey, did you know that Citizen Radio is listener-supported and has no corporate sponsors? If you didn't, you sure as shit will after reading these self-aggrandizing 200 pages. There's a plug for the authors' (now defunct) podcast on about every second page, reminding the reader that the authors are far, far superior to the hacks in the mainstream media.
The thing is, despite having never heard of their show (the book title just happened to catch my eye at a used book sale), I suspect the authors are right. The mainstream media is one giant #newsfail, to use the authors' term. The media criticism that is the thesis of this book is right on target but it gets lost in all of the snark. This takedown of the false balance that is the premise of cable news encompasses everything good and bad about this book:
"Here is every newscaster in the world hosting a Right vs Left debate, on any issue:
Right debater #1: X=Y
Left debater #2: X=X
Moderator: I guess we'll never know!
NO! We DO know! Look up the facts, newsperson! You're on the news! You have like a THOUSAND computers behind you in that stupid newsroom right now! One of those computers must have Google, surely. Get your army of unpaid interns to find the answer!"
While this serves to illustrate the maddening ridiculousness of having 'both sides' on to yell at each other while the viewer learns nothing, all of the CAPS and EXCLAMATION POINTS get tiresome.
The authors are clearly passionate and genuine in their belief that we need alternative media outlets, and I share that belief with them 100 percent. But they offer no real solutions on how to make that work financially. As someone who worked with a small independent news network, I know the brutal realities of just how hard it is to make any money, and obviously the fact that Citizens Radio folded in the four years between this book's publication and my chance encounter with it clearly doesn't bode well. I wish they would have dug into that a bit more, instead of leaving me hanging with passages like this that highlight the problem but offer absolutely no solutions to it:
"Alternative media must grow and become a viable option that actually pays journalists (looking at you, Huffington Post) in order to counterbalance the dominating corporate narrative peddled by mainstream media that kisses the ring of Wall Street and punches the underclass when they try to fight back."
The authors' low opinion of the mainstream media (particularly broadcast media) is just one area in which their stance on an issue is almost entirely in line with my own (yes, I'm a liberal - guilty as charged). But again, they offer no real solutions for the mess we're in, just snark, preachiness and jokes that sometimes land and sometimes don't. Luckily, they are funny slightly more often than they are self-important, so this was still a quick and enjoyable read. But it has a distinct 'preaching to the choir' feel which, although somewhat cathartic, doesn't accomplish much.
The thing is, despite having never heard of their show (the book title just happened to catch my eye at a used book sale), I suspect the authors are right. The mainstream media is one giant #newsfail, to use the authors' term. The media criticism that is the thesis of this book is right on target but it gets lost in all of the snark. This takedown of the false balance that is the premise of cable news encompasses everything good and bad about this book:
"Here is every newscaster in the world hosting a Right vs Left debate, on any issue:
Right debater #1: X=Y
Left debater #2: X=X
Moderator: I guess we'll never know!
NO! We DO know! Look up the facts, newsperson! You're on the news! You have like a THOUSAND computers behind you in that stupid newsroom right now! One of those computers must have Google, surely. Get your army of unpaid interns to find the answer!"
While this serves to illustrate the maddening ridiculousness of having 'both sides' on to yell at each other while the viewer learns nothing, all of the CAPS and EXCLAMATION POINTS get tiresome.
The authors are clearly passionate and genuine in their belief that we need alternative media outlets, and I share that belief with them 100 percent. But they offer no real solutions on how to make that work financially. As someone who worked with a small independent news network, I know the brutal realities of just how hard it is to make any money, and obviously the fact that Citizens Radio folded in the four years between this book's publication and my chance encounter with it clearly doesn't bode well. I wish they would have dug into that a bit more, instead of leaving me hanging with passages like this that highlight the problem but offer absolutely no solutions to it:
"Alternative media must grow and become a viable option that actually pays journalists (looking at you, Huffington Post) in order to counterbalance the dominating corporate narrative peddled by mainstream media that kisses the ring of Wall Street and punches the underclass when they try to fight back."
The authors' low opinion of the mainstream media (particularly broadcast media) is just one area in which their stance on an issue is almost entirely in line with my own (yes, I'm a liberal - guilty as charged). But again, they offer no real solutions for the mess we're in, just snark, preachiness and jokes that sometimes land and sometimes don't. Luckily, they are funny slightly more often than they are self-important, so this was still a quick and enjoyable read. But it has a distinct 'preaching to the choir' feel which, although somewhat cathartic, doesn't accomplish much.
November 26, 2014
In the tradition of political writers such as Matt Taibbi, the authors of NEWSFAIL use humor and sarcasm to deliver some sobering commentary on the current state of affairs. I will say their odd third-person way of referring to themselves was a bit awkward, and NEWSFAIL consistently uses the word "media" as if it were a singular noun...I could envision my old college Journalism professor hovering over the book in a rage, brandishing a red pen.
The original subtitle of this book was "How two godless vegans took on mainstream media so you don't have to," but it was apparently changed prior to publication. It's a shame that the V-word remains too scary for the mainstream, even for many who consider themselves radical. Props to the authors for being some of the too-few lefties who aren't afraid to look at the elephant (cow?) in the room. Plenty of progressives rail against animal cruelty, pollution, global warming, and worker abuse--all while remaining unaware that the companies they are supporting at breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all major contributors to all of those wrongs. In 2014, being a vegan is easy, being a vegetarian is ridiculously easy, and reducing your intake of animal foods is effortless. And there is no reason at all to support factory farming.
The original subtitle of this book was "How two godless vegans took on mainstream media so you don't have to," but it was apparently changed prior to publication. It's a shame that the V-word remains too scary for the mainstream, even for many who consider themselves radical. Props to the authors for being some of the too-few lefties who aren't afraid to look at the elephant (cow?) in the room. Plenty of progressives rail against animal cruelty, pollution, global warming, and worker abuse--all while remaining unaware that the companies they are supporting at breakfast, lunch, and dinner are all major contributors to all of those wrongs. In 2014, being a vegan is easy, being a vegetarian is ridiculously easy, and reducing your intake of animal foods is effortless. And there is no reason at all to support factory farming.
November 17, 2014
Review: I’m a horrible citizen. I don’t watch the news, I know nothing about politics, and I have a general disdain for the human race. Why you ask? The media. I can’t turn it on without feeling like we should all be wiped out, just like the dinosaurs. Now I realize that I been watching a bunch of lies, all thanks to #Newsfail. One of the best things about this book is that is told me everything I needed to know about major political issues in layman’s’ terms, and it had several pop culture references to boot (Hunger Games!). This book seriously has me rethinking some of my ideals and how I wish to approach them. (After reading the chapter on meat, I’m seriously considering going vegan. Baby steps, though.) I learned a lot from this book, and I plan on actually listening to Citizen Radio to stay informed.
Favorite Essay/Thought Process: “We Know You Smoked Weed in College, Asshole: How the War on Drugs Is Destroying the Country”; the “war” on drugs is totally pointless and a waste of money.
Essay I Learned the Most From: “USA! USA! USA! We’re Here to Help…withDrones Cluster Bombs Freedom!”; USA is a bully, period.
Favorite Quote: Didn’t really have a specific one. The entire book is informative and funny.
Recommend? Absolutely; probably think about giving out a few copies as Christmas gifts.
Re-read? Yes, I need a personal copy.
Favorite Essay/Thought Process: “We Know You Smoked Weed in College, Asshole: How the War on Drugs Is Destroying the Country”; the “war” on drugs is totally pointless and a waste of money.
Essay I Learned the Most From: “USA! USA! USA! We’re Here to Help…with
Favorite Quote: Didn’t really have a specific one. The entire book is informative and funny.
Recommend? Absolutely; probably think about giving out a few copies as Christmas gifts.
Re-read? Yes, I need a personal copy.
March 30, 2015
Before I get started here, let me say this: the authors were preaching to the choir. I'm a person who had his political awakening listening to a Jello Biafra album in a grocery store parking lot. I had no idea who Jello Biafra was; I just wanted to impress the girl I came to the punk show with.
Anyway, I've been listening to Citizen Radio for a few years now, and the draw of the show is Allison and Jamie's (and Desi and Penny's) unique voices. I picked up #Newsfail hoping that would translate to the page.
I was pleased to have my expectations met.
Probably the greatest praise I can offer with regard to this book is that it is a political book that will age WELL. Even two years after they're written, most books in the politics section are obsolete: their targets have left office, their issues are resolved, their authors resigned in disgrace in a sex scandal. While #Newsfail does deal with some stories currently in the media, its overarching theme of mainstream media incompetence is one that will (sadly) probably be relevant for years.
Written with a sense of humor and an incisive eye for what needs to happen, #Newsfail is worth reading for any progressive who isn't offended by dick jokes. The authors are unlikely to convince anyone who doesn't agree with them, but really, all of those people are probably hanging out with Sad Bane and Jan Brewer anyway.
Anyway, I've been listening to Citizen Radio for a few years now, and the draw of the show is Allison and Jamie's (and Desi and Penny's) unique voices. I picked up #Newsfail hoping that would translate to the page.
I was pleased to have my expectations met.
Probably the greatest praise I can offer with regard to this book is that it is a political book that will age WELL. Even two years after they're written, most books in the politics section are obsolete: their targets have left office, their issues are resolved, their authors resigned in disgrace in a sex scandal. While #Newsfail does deal with some stories currently in the media, its overarching theme of mainstream media incompetence is one that will (sadly) probably be relevant for years.
Written with a sense of humor and an incisive eye for what needs to happen, #Newsfail is worth reading for any progressive who isn't offended by dick jokes. The authors are unlikely to convince anyone who doesn't agree with them, but really, all of those people are probably hanging out with Sad Bane and Jan Brewer anyway.
October 24, 2014
Thoroughly enjoyed this takedown of the media, especially the so-called liberal media like Jon Stewart and MSNBC, even though I was familiar with the arguments. Their point is that the media ignores certain stories because they don’t fit into accepted narratives by those in power (Democrat or Republican) or by corporate interests. Plus it’s funny and has lots of personal asides. Typical mix of serious and humorous: “At one point, the National Review Online said the Newtown massacre could have been stopped if only there had been more men around. Well, you know what? There WAS a man there, and he shot everybody.” They mostly source everything well and do a good job — except on the gun control section. They make fun of the NRA for using 20-year-old discredited statistics to make their case, and then they do the same thing! They say 40 percent of guns are sold without a background check. They fail to give a citation, but it’s from a 20-year-old study whose authors have both said in recent years that this statistic is wrong. Overall, very strong, though. Plus there’s a great, simple vegan recipe for pad thai!
October 18, 2014
This book is a thorough factual overview of the prevailing political issues of our time, interspersed with funny anecdotes right alongside cited support for their points. It feels more like a conversation with remarkably smart, funny friends than a political book. You leave better informed, yes, but also brilliantly entertained, and inspired to change the world. Irreverent and brutally honest, in the best ways. A must-read.
November 27, 2014
One star. Not for the information -- much of which I agree with -- but for the smarmy, cringeworthy tone present on virtually every page, certain moments of cognitive bias that really, really jar, and general millennial-era affectations that really, really grate. These two come off (often) like full-blown looney--left caricatures devised & delivered from the fetid swamps of your average fauxnews viewer; unfortunately, this schtick distracts from the content.
August 21, 2015
You guys may be preaching to the choir but still, this book is short and sweet and gets to the point... and its hilarious!! This book is for everyone who isnt pretentious about politics! Or if you fall into a deep coma when you read partisan... It the bible for all ADHD people who are clever enough but dont have the attention span to, OH LOOK FRESH PRINCE IS ON!
October 23, 2014
This was fun, though frustrating to review (and discover) things that the normal news media avoids, twists, or otherwise gets wrong.
But very funny, which keeps one from running into the night in terror. ;)
But very funny, which keeps one from running into the night in terror. ;)
January 16, 2015
Super funny and informative!
Read
November 21, 2015great book tells us about our current media fail
October 8, 2020
New generations, rise up, take to the streets, the world is yours, change it!
Patti Smith
#Newsfail: Climate Change, Feminism, Gun Control, and Other Fun Stuff We Talk About Because Nobody Else Will by Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny is the book that centers around the authors’ independent, user supported radio news show and the authors’ view of the world. Jamie Kilstein is a comedian who idolized Jon Stewart in Stewat’s early days. Allison Kilkeny majored in English at Illinois State University before moving to New York City. Together they host Citizen Radio a news broadcast where Noam Chomsky’s philosophy of the Responsibility of Intellectuals is taken very seriously.
The book opens with a prologue and an introduction to get the reader caught up on who Allison and Jamie are and what Citizen Radio is and where it came from. Jamie and Allison are true liberals and by that I do not mean they do not fall into clean American political labels. American politics, especially in a presidential year, compares very closely to the Super Bowl. You are either for one team/party or the other there is no third choice. The American mindset works as follows if you are not a Republican you are a Democrat. If you are not a Democrat, you are a Republican. It’s that simple to most Americans. What else the Super Bowl has is commercials, and both team’s supporters love the commercials. American media can be compared to the commercials. It appeals to both sides, and the outcome of the game not really mattering in their ability to exist or more importantly make a profit. They want to make a profit so they appeal to the largest group of people possible, and do not to uphold that mythical belief that “people need to hear the truth”.
Citizen Radio and #Newsfail upholds that deeper, old fashioned journalism and not the sanitised newscasts of today. With no corporate sponsors, they are free to broadcast without fear of losing their big financial supporters. They report the stories that so called liberal media misses or misrepresents For example, in the chapter about our rape culture, legitimate rape, real rape, and those poor boys in Steubenville, Ohio who raped a girl, and became the center of the story. Other news networks reported the boys had so much promise and now all that will be gone because they are going to jail. What will be the lasting effect on these boys of having to serve a juvenile sentence. That was reported, in that tone on CNN, supposedly a bastion of liberalism. Forget the victim, let’s focus on the “other victims”, the ones who committed and recorded the sexual assault. Liberal media is not so much liberal, but corporate.
#Newsfail examines several issues that the authors feel are being under reported, misreported, or simply ignored. They also let in on their personal story to let the reader know they are not discontent rich kids or doing this as a some cool hipster trend. They believe in what they do, and they are articulate, funny, serious, sarcastic, and thought provoking. In addition to climate change, feminism, gun control, the other fun stuff includes class warfare, Occupy Wall Street, human rights, foreign policy, and veganism.
The chapters are organized by subject and topic and are all self contained. The writing is clear, concise, and serves a purpose. There is a lacing of profanity in the book, not just for profanity sake, but it may be the first time I have ever heard the reference “Noam F**king Chomsky.” An interesting aspect of the writing style is that Jamie and Allison refer to themselves in the third and second person, or simply “the authors.” When either one (or perhaps they both worked through every story), is writing, telling a story, or making a point, it is difficult who is speaking. It almost seems as the book is being reported in real time from a third party. It is an interesting format and seems to add to the book.
For the record, I do find many of the points made in #Newsfail valid and the support for the arguments very well done. However, I am probably not the typical Citizen Radio fan. I had already voted for Reagan and enlisted in the Marines around the time the authors were being born. Agree with their politics or not, there is something positive about the younger generation (I never thought I would ever say that phrase) standing up and doing something. Not just falling unquestioningly into the rank and file. What makes a democracy work is opposition. It makes people think. We used to count on the media to report, investigate, and expose wrongdoing. Today media is more concerned about it’s sponsors, entertaining, and not offending the hand that feeds them. #Newsfail and Citizen Radio will probably not become the standard news source, but it may provide the pressure and the need for change. All it really takes it for people to take notice and think. #Newsfail is a very good start.
Patti Smith
#Newsfail: Climate Change, Feminism, Gun Control, and Other Fun Stuff We Talk About Because Nobody Else Will by Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny is the book that centers around the authors’ independent, user supported radio news show and the authors’ view of the world. Jamie Kilstein is a comedian who idolized Jon Stewart in Stewat’s early days. Allison Kilkeny majored in English at Illinois State University before moving to New York City. Together they host Citizen Radio a news broadcast where Noam Chomsky’s philosophy of the Responsibility of Intellectuals is taken very seriously.
The book opens with a prologue and an introduction to get the reader caught up on who Allison and Jamie are and what Citizen Radio is and where it came from. Jamie and Allison are true liberals and by that I do not mean they do not fall into clean American political labels. American politics, especially in a presidential year, compares very closely to the Super Bowl. You are either for one team/party or the other there is no third choice. The American mindset works as follows if you are not a Republican you are a Democrat. If you are not a Democrat, you are a Republican. It’s that simple to most Americans. What else the Super Bowl has is commercials, and both team’s supporters love the commercials. American media can be compared to the commercials. It appeals to both sides, and the outcome of the game not really mattering in their ability to exist or more importantly make a profit. They want to make a profit so they appeal to the largest group of people possible, and do not to uphold that mythical belief that “people need to hear the truth”.
Citizen Radio and #Newsfail upholds that deeper, old fashioned journalism and not the sanitised newscasts of today. With no corporate sponsors, they are free to broadcast without fear of losing their big financial supporters. They report the stories that so called liberal media misses or misrepresents For example, in the chapter about our rape culture, legitimate rape, real rape, and those poor boys in Steubenville, Ohio who raped a girl, and became the center of the story. Other news networks reported the boys had so much promise and now all that will be gone because they are going to jail. What will be the lasting effect on these boys of having to serve a juvenile sentence. That was reported, in that tone on CNN, supposedly a bastion of liberalism. Forget the victim, let’s focus on the “other victims”, the ones who committed and recorded the sexual assault. Liberal media is not so much liberal, but corporate.
#Newsfail examines several issues that the authors feel are being under reported, misreported, or simply ignored. They also let in on their personal story to let the reader know they are not discontent rich kids or doing this as a some cool hipster trend. They believe in what they do, and they are articulate, funny, serious, sarcastic, and thought provoking. In addition to climate change, feminism, gun control, the other fun stuff includes class warfare, Occupy Wall Street, human rights, foreign policy, and veganism.
The chapters are organized by subject and topic and are all self contained. The writing is clear, concise, and serves a purpose. There is a lacing of profanity in the book, not just for profanity sake, but it may be the first time I have ever heard the reference “Noam F**king Chomsky.” An interesting aspect of the writing style is that Jamie and Allison refer to themselves in the third and second person, or simply “the authors.” When either one (or perhaps they both worked through every story), is writing, telling a story, or making a point, it is difficult who is speaking. It almost seems as the book is being reported in real time from a third party. It is an interesting format and seems to add to the book.
For the record, I do find many of the points made in #Newsfail valid and the support for the arguments very well done. However, I am probably not the typical Citizen Radio fan. I had already voted for Reagan and enlisted in the Marines around the time the authors were being born. Agree with their politics or not, there is something positive about the younger generation (I never thought I would ever say that phrase) standing up and doing something. Not just falling unquestioningly into the rank and file. What makes a democracy work is opposition. It makes people think. We used to count on the media to report, investigate, and expose wrongdoing. Today media is more concerned about it’s sponsors, entertaining, and not offending the hand that feeds them. #Newsfail and Citizen Radio will probably not become the standard news source, but it may provide the pressure and the need for change. All it really takes it for people to take notice and think. #Newsfail is a very good start.
September 26, 2024
I read this in 2020 and, at the time, I realized it could be a bad idea to read an outdated book about current affairs. Turned out I was right.
July 18, 2016
Whenever people describe the mainstream media as being liberal I just want to scratch my eyes out. How can our mainstream media, whether it’s Fox News, CNN, our morning news shows on network television, AM radio and the Sunday morning political chat shows be considered liberal when six corporations own them? Corporations are hardly liberal (and they’re not people either). Heck, even PBS gets funding from big business corporate juggernaut Wal-Mart and the extremely right wing Koch Brothers.
So thank the gods and goddesses above for Citizen Radio, one of the few media outlets fully-funded by individuals, not corporations, and because of this Citizen Radio is truly free to “tell it like it is.”
Citizen Radio is helmed by husband and wife team Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny. I first learned of Citizen Radio when Bitch Magazine had the good sense to interview Allison Kilkenny about Citizen Radio (and the sorry state of modern media and journalism) instead of wasting its precious pages on the likes of one of the Kardashians where they talk about selfies and “stuff.”
Kilkenny’s take on modern day journalism and media mirrors my own disgust so I decided to check out Citizen Radio and listen to Kilstein and Kilkenny’s well-informed, thought-provoking and yes, funny (Kilstein is also a stand-up comic) whenever possible. So when I came across #Newfail: Climate Change, Feminism, Gun Control, and Other Fun Stuff We Talk About Because Nobody Else Will I just knew I had to add this wonderful tome to my reading list.
Kilstein and Kilkenny’s are true progressive liberals and don’t try to hide it. They met while working at a book store and bonded over the Superman t-shirts they both sported on a particular day. Realizing they both had a nose for news (and both despising current day journalism) and wanting a media outlet that was a little more forthcoming with the truth and was more progressive, they both decided to go all Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland “let’s put on a show, kids!” Thus, Citizen Radio was born.
Now Kilstein and Kilkenny are hardly trust fund hipsters being set up by mommy and daddy and working with a huge budget. To say they were working with a shoestring budget would be a lie. Kilstein and Kilkenny barely had shoes, let alone shoestrings. Can you imagine Matt Lauer or George Stephanopoulos interviewing Ralph Nader from a bathtub? Well, me neither. I can’t imagine either Lauer or Stephanopoulos interviewing anyone from anywhere but a nice, shiny soundstage. I can’t even imagine them interviewing Ralph Nader! During Citizen Radios (vegan) salad days, Kilstein and Kilkenny did just that and from those humble beginnings Citizen Radio continues to grow and reach like-minded people fed-up with corporate-owned media.
#Newsfail is divided into several informative, concise and funny chapters focusing on various topics, including our class war and the mocking of the Occupy movement, climate change (focusing a lot on having a mostly plant-based diet), being pro-choice, the gay agenda, gun control and the NRA, the bogus War on Drugs, the USA’s involvement in foreign countries and finally the importance of truly independent media.
For the most part #Newsfail showcases the status of stories that our mainstream media simply ignores or fails to recognize. In fact, today most mainstream media seems to be more PR and marketing than actual solid journalism these days.
#Newsfail isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers and sacrifice a few cows in a manner of speaking. Kilstein and Kilkenny are pretty bad ass in speaking of both Jon Stewart and “The Daily Show,” both beloved by most liberals (including this one). Though Kilstein and Kilkenny for the most part, have a fondness for both Stewart and his former Comedy Central gig, they aren’t afraid to expose both them for their less than stellar moments. I must admit, I often cringed while reading this chapter, but I found #Newsfail’s criticism to be fair and constructive. Kilstein and Kilkenny weren’t just being contrary to be jerks.
Undoubtedly, the chapter that might make the reading audience the most uncomfortable is “Al Gore is Fat and we’re All Going to Die: Or, You Can’t Blame Climate Change on Vegans.” Both Kilstein and Kilkenny are truly committed to a vegan lifestyle. Not all liberals are vegans, plenty of them love their burgers and bacon, and this particular liberal loves her butter and cheese (I am from America’s Dairyland after all). In this chapter, Kilstein and Kilkenny do come across a bit preachy and I often squirmed in my seat while reading their arguments. Still, they bring up how eating a more plant-based diet makes for a healthier planet and healthier life. Plus, this chapter even has a recipe for “Jamie’s Vegan Better-Than-Stupid-Pad-Thai Pad Thai.*
Other chapters tell dudes just because you are pro-choice that doesn’t give you an excuse to be a douchebag, the War on Drugs is a massive failure and has destroyed people and communities, how the NRA is a big pile of crap and the need to focus on both gun control and mental health issues (something that seems the mainstream media is finally focusing on a little bit), the “Gay Agenda,” which for some stupid reason is making those on the extreme right think same sex marriage will destroy opposite sex marriage, and the massive failure of our foreign policy in the Middle East.
Finally Kilstein and Kilkenny prove the importance of autonomous journalism in #Newsfail’s epilogue, “Save the Tote Bags!: Why Independent Media is Essential to Saving Democracy and the World.” If it was up to me, this epilogue should be read by every journalism student, everyone involved in media whether mainstream or alternative, and everyone concerned with today’s sorry state of journalism, whether delivered via television, printed publications or digitally via the Internet. Like Kilstein and Kilkenny, our society, our country and our sense of democracy needs this.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how #Newsfail made me proud of my own wee corner of the Internet. As a huge reader and a writer, I’m always on the hunt for good reads, whether fiction or non-fiction, and it is truly a blessing when I find a book that the mainstream media ignores focusing more on a book written by a Real Housewife, a Kardashian, or some other D-list celebrity, reality show cretin or detestable pundit (oh hi there, Ann Coulter). #Newsfail made me think, but it also made me proud. Thank you Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny.
*Speaking of veganism, here is a great vegan dish courtesy of Lisa Jervis’ book Cook Food. FYI, I usually buy my corn and tomatoes from my local farmer’s market and I grow basil at home.
Corn, Tomato and Basil Salad
Ingredients:
3 ears of corn
1 large tomato or two medium, three small, or one basket of cherry tomatoes
1 small handful of torn or chopped basil
1 lemon for both zest and juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Husk the corn. Steam the corn for five minutes in an inch or two of boiling water. Turn once or twice. You can also fully boil the ears of corn. Both methods work.
Place the cobs of corn in the fridge until cool. Cut the kernels off the cobs.
Cut the tomatoes into bite-sized chunks and place in a bowl with the kernels and the basil.
Zest half of the lemon into the bowl. Then juice the lemon into the bowl.
Add the olive oil and toss. Adjust the lemon zest and juice if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste.
There are a lot of variations to this salad. If you’re not a basil fan, you can always another herb. Mint and cilantro are good. You can also add other veggies. I’ve made this salad with cut-up cucumbers and red onions. Though this is considered a side dish, I’ve often made this salad into a meal with toasted pita bread and hummus.
Originally published at the Book Self:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
So thank the gods and goddesses above for Citizen Radio, one of the few media outlets fully-funded by individuals, not corporations, and because of this Citizen Radio is truly free to “tell it like it is.”
Citizen Radio is helmed by husband and wife team Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny. I first learned of Citizen Radio when Bitch Magazine had the good sense to interview Allison Kilkenny about Citizen Radio (and the sorry state of modern media and journalism) instead of wasting its precious pages on the likes of one of the Kardashians where they talk about selfies and “stuff.”
Kilkenny’s take on modern day journalism and media mirrors my own disgust so I decided to check out Citizen Radio and listen to Kilstein and Kilkenny’s well-informed, thought-provoking and yes, funny (Kilstein is also a stand-up comic) whenever possible. So when I came across #Newfail: Climate Change, Feminism, Gun Control, and Other Fun Stuff We Talk About Because Nobody Else Will I just knew I had to add this wonderful tome to my reading list.
Kilstein and Kilkenny’s are true progressive liberals and don’t try to hide it. They met while working at a book store and bonded over the Superman t-shirts they both sported on a particular day. Realizing they both had a nose for news (and both despising current day journalism) and wanting a media outlet that was a little more forthcoming with the truth and was more progressive, they both decided to go all Mickey Rooney and Judy Garland “let’s put on a show, kids!” Thus, Citizen Radio was born.
Now Kilstein and Kilkenny are hardly trust fund hipsters being set up by mommy and daddy and working with a huge budget. To say they were working with a shoestring budget would be a lie. Kilstein and Kilkenny barely had shoes, let alone shoestrings. Can you imagine Matt Lauer or George Stephanopoulos interviewing Ralph Nader from a bathtub? Well, me neither. I can’t imagine either Lauer or Stephanopoulos interviewing anyone from anywhere but a nice, shiny soundstage. I can’t even imagine them interviewing Ralph Nader! During Citizen Radios (vegan) salad days, Kilstein and Kilkenny did just that and from those humble beginnings Citizen Radio continues to grow and reach like-minded people fed-up with corporate-owned media.
#Newsfail is divided into several informative, concise and funny chapters focusing on various topics, including our class war and the mocking of the Occupy movement, climate change (focusing a lot on having a mostly plant-based diet), being pro-choice, the gay agenda, gun control and the NRA, the bogus War on Drugs, the USA’s involvement in foreign countries and finally the importance of truly independent media.
For the most part #Newsfail showcases the status of stories that our mainstream media simply ignores or fails to recognize. In fact, today most mainstream media seems to be more PR and marketing than actual solid journalism these days.
#Newsfail isn’t afraid to ruffle a few feathers and sacrifice a few cows in a manner of speaking. Kilstein and Kilkenny are pretty bad ass in speaking of both Jon Stewart and “The Daily Show,” both beloved by most liberals (including this one). Though Kilstein and Kilkenny for the most part, have a fondness for both Stewart and his former Comedy Central gig, they aren’t afraid to expose both them for their less than stellar moments. I must admit, I often cringed while reading this chapter, but I found #Newsfail’s criticism to be fair and constructive. Kilstein and Kilkenny weren’t just being contrary to be jerks.
Undoubtedly, the chapter that might make the reading audience the most uncomfortable is “Al Gore is Fat and we’re All Going to Die: Or, You Can’t Blame Climate Change on Vegans.” Both Kilstein and Kilkenny are truly committed to a vegan lifestyle. Not all liberals are vegans, plenty of them love their burgers and bacon, and this particular liberal loves her butter and cheese (I am from America’s Dairyland after all). In this chapter, Kilstein and Kilkenny do come across a bit preachy and I often squirmed in my seat while reading their arguments. Still, they bring up how eating a more plant-based diet makes for a healthier planet and healthier life. Plus, this chapter even has a recipe for “Jamie’s Vegan Better-Than-Stupid-Pad-Thai Pad Thai.*
Other chapters tell dudes just because you are pro-choice that doesn’t give you an excuse to be a douchebag, the War on Drugs is a massive failure and has destroyed people and communities, how the NRA is a big pile of crap and the need to focus on both gun control and mental health issues (something that seems the mainstream media is finally focusing on a little bit), the “Gay Agenda,” which for some stupid reason is making those on the extreme right think same sex marriage will destroy opposite sex marriage, and the massive failure of our foreign policy in the Middle East.
Finally Kilstein and Kilkenny prove the importance of autonomous journalism in #Newsfail’s epilogue, “Save the Tote Bags!: Why Independent Media is Essential to Saving Democracy and the World.” If it was up to me, this epilogue should be read by every journalism student, everyone involved in media whether mainstream or alternative, and everyone concerned with today’s sorry state of journalism, whether delivered via television, printed publications or digitally via the Internet. Like Kilstein and Kilkenny, our society, our country and our sense of democracy needs this.
And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how #Newsfail made me proud of my own wee corner of the Internet. As a huge reader and a writer, I’m always on the hunt for good reads, whether fiction or non-fiction, and it is truly a blessing when I find a book that the mainstream media ignores focusing more on a book written by a Real Housewife, a Kardashian, or some other D-list celebrity, reality show cretin or detestable pundit (oh hi there, Ann Coulter). #Newsfail made me think, but it also made me proud. Thank you Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny.
*Speaking of veganism, here is a great vegan dish courtesy of Lisa Jervis’ book Cook Food. FYI, I usually buy my corn and tomatoes from my local farmer’s market and I grow basil at home.
Corn, Tomato and Basil Salad
Ingredients:
3 ears of corn
1 large tomato or two medium, three small, or one basket of cherry tomatoes
1 small handful of torn or chopped basil
1 lemon for both zest and juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Husk the corn. Steam the corn for five minutes in an inch or two of boiling water. Turn once or twice. You can also fully boil the ears of corn. Both methods work.
Place the cobs of corn in the fridge until cool. Cut the kernels off the cobs.
Cut the tomatoes into bite-sized chunks and place in a bowl with the kernels and the basil.
Zest half of the lemon into the bowl. Then juice the lemon into the bowl.
Add the olive oil and toss. Adjust the lemon zest and juice if needed. Add salt and pepper to taste.
There are a lot of variations to this salad. If you’re not a basil fan, you can always another herb. Mint and cilantro are good. You can also add other veggies. I’ve made this salad with cut-up cucumbers and red onions. Though this is considered a side dish, I’ve often made this salad into a meal with toasted pita bread and hummus.
Originally published at the Book Self:
https://thebookselfblog.wordpress.com...
February 8, 2020
I don't even disagree with either the premise of the book, or even with most of their particular biases, and I still found this book tiresome as hell. I only sort of finished it because once they did the "seriously we don't hate Jews, we have Jewish friends but" I kinda checked out.This is the level of discourse that still thinks mixing a swear word into a serious political discussion is funny and edgy. The authors have seemingly gone out of their way to confirm every single stereotype that the right has of the immature, smug left. If you are serious about understanding the premise of this book, just read Manufacturing Consent or some of FAIR's work and spare yourself the internet forum level of discourse they have going on here.
February 1, 2025
Not enough witty self deprecating humor and thoughtful criticism of the globalists and corporate left, to maintain credibility, when balanced against all the hateful and disingenuous extreme left screed. It is unfortunate that the authors misrepresent anything mildly conservative or centrist, because they could have attracted more people to truly open minded libertarianism. Interesting to note the authors are now divorced after spelling out their almost cosmic bonding, and one author has now divulged his alcoholism and eating disorder, after whole chapters shaming anyone non-vegan and proselytizing the social benefits of accessible legalized narcotics. Be careful who you take advice from.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2017
I don't know. I don't think Jamie and Allison are the saviors they themselves seem to think our country needs.
December 10, 2018
I probably would have found this pretty mind-blowing if I had read it when it came out, before I really got into politics. As it is, this is a pretty good introduction to basic Leftist policies in America, though already a little dated (same-sex marriage was legalized in 2015, a year after this was published.)
October 30, 2014
This book was a humorous look at the way mainstream media is failing to inform citizens about what really is happening in the world. Jamie and Allison founded Citizen Radio as a means of getting actual news to the public, and this is their story of how they did that. They also include some information on topics near and dear to their hearts like fighting the rape culture, climate change, the war on drugs, more, all with a comic twist.
I wouldn't say the book is "News", simply because a book by virtue of being a book, can't be up to date on what's happening in the world. There wasn't really any information provided of which any relatively well-informed person with progressive leanings isn't already aware - a handful of facts and names, perhaps. In fact, it was rather reminiscent of sitting around in the evening talking with friends about the state of the world, it's stuff we've been over and over repeatedly. But maybe that's why I liked it so much. It took what I know and what I believe and presented it in a fresher, funnier way. Kind of like a Lewis Black rant, but backed up with facts and statistics. I laughed out loud frequently. What it does well is show all of the ways that mainstream news media in the US has failed to inform the less politically-aware public about some really important topics.
The parts I especially enjoyed were those related to how the authors met and how they started off in the podcast business.
Warning: It's not a book I would give to my parents, because progressive though they are, they would not appreciate the language.
It's also not going to convert any political moderates or conservatives because the tone is very much "we the authors are correct and if you don't agree with us you are stupid." A moderate just might have made it through if they hand't put veganism so early in the book. (Seriously authors, who leads with veganism? You say yourself even vegetarians hate vegans, and frankly there wasn't enough factual information in that section to make it seem like news rather than strongly and proudly held opinions. Although, the facts certainly supported valid reasons for encouraging vegetarianism, at least, but the point is, authors, veganism at the end and not at the beginning.) So, I guess it is a preaching-to-the-choir kind of book, but even the choir loves a well though out, enthusiastic and entertaining sermon.
I just really enjoyed this book because it talked about important things in a funny, accessible (except to people who don't like swearing or vegans) way. If I lived in a place where I could access unlimited internet, which you can't if you live rurally and depend upon satellite internet, I would absolutely become a regular to Allison and Jamie's podcast. I'd certainly buy a second book!
However, I did not buy the first book. It was kindly given to me as a Goodreads First-Reads giveaway.
I wouldn't say the book is "News", simply because a book by virtue of being a book, can't be up to date on what's happening in the world. There wasn't really any information provided of which any relatively well-informed person with progressive leanings isn't already aware - a handful of facts and names, perhaps. In fact, it was rather reminiscent of sitting around in the evening talking with friends about the state of the world, it's stuff we've been over and over repeatedly. But maybe that's why I liked it so much. It took what I know and what I believe and presented it in a fresher, funnier way. Kind of like a Lewis Black rant, but backed up with facts and statistics. I laughed out loud frequently. What it does well is show all of the ways that mainstream news media in the US has failed to inform the less politically-aware public about some really important topics.
The parts I especially enjoyed were those related to how the authors met and how they started off in the podcast business.
Warning: It's not a book I would give to my parents, because progressive though they are, they would not appreciate the language.
It's also not going to convert any political moderates or conservatives because the tone is very much "we the authors are correct and if you don't agree with us you are stupid." A moderate just might have made it through if they hand't put veganism so early in the book. (Seriously authors, who leads with veganism? You say yourself even vegetarians hate vegans, and frankly there wasn't enough factual information in that section to make it seem like news rather than strongly and proudly held opinions. Although, the facts certainly supported valid reasons for encouraging vegetarianism, at least, but the point is, authors, veganism at the end and not at the beginning.) So, I guess it is a preaching-to-the-choir kind of book, but even the choir loves a well though out, enthusiastic and entertaining sermon.
I just really enjoyed this book because it talked about important things in a funny, accessible (except to people who don't like swearing or vegans) way. If I lived in a place where I could access unlimited internet, which you can't if you live rurally and depend upon satellite internet, I would absolutely become a regular to Allison and Jamie's podcast. I'd certainly buy a second book!
However, I did not buy the first book. It was kindly given to me as a Goodreads First-Reads giveaway.
October 8, 2016
This was my choice for the BookReads Read Harder Challenge 2016: a book about politics, in your country or another (fiction or nonfiction).
I first heard about this book on Melissa Harris-Perry's (sadly cancelled) show, and the authors were interviewed when this book was released. I had not listened to their Citizen Radio show, but I enjoyed their interview, so when this challenge came up, I picked #Newsfail.
I've seen a few comments regarding putting all 'media' into the same barrel, but that is the premise of the book. The mainstream/corporate media - regardless of whether it's TV, Cable News, or Print - does fail us, by virtue of its structure and profit model. The very fact that news needs to be 'profitable' should outrage us all, actually. The authors have their own way of combatting this (via their own reporting and Citizen Radio) but they reference many other journalists and others who report the news that actually is news, not just propaganda and talking points.
For instance, the authors note that - in a discussion about gay rights - CNN (trying to be 'objective') asked Tony Perkins of the incredibly conservative and bigoted Family Research Council to weigh in... As if both sides are equivalent, have equal merit, and it's just a matter of opinion whether or not gays are people. Kilstein/Kilkenny write, "But the real question is: why is CNN asking uninformed bigots their opinions in order to skew the debate?" This is not journalism, this is talking heads trying to fill a segment until the next commercial.
Each chapter in #Newsfail deals with a different theme (gays, guns, climate change, women's health), and is written in a very familiar or blog-type way. Some may be put off by this style, but the substance is worth paying attention to. Even if I disagreed with an individual opinion, I could not refute the main thesis: the MSM is not telling us what we need to know to make an informed decision about the topic.
The Mainstream Media is what most people see (thus 'Mainstream'). They have abdicated their responsibility to be a check on power, and instead have become a mouthpiece for it. Luckily, there are many outlets for news, if you want to look, but we have to CHOOSE to move away from the corporate sources, and find the independent sources - the ones who may not tell you what you want to hear, but will tell you what you need to know.
I first heard about this book on Melissa Harris-Perry's (sadly cancelled) show, and the authors were interviewed when this book was released. I had not listened to their Citizen Radio show, but I enjoyed their interview, so when this challenge came up, I picked #Newsfail.
I've seen a few comments regarding putting all 'media' into the same barrel, but that is the premise of the book. The mainstream/corporate media - regardless of whether it's TV, Cable News, or Print - does fail us, by virtue of its structure and profit model. The very fact that news needs to be 'profitable' should outrage us all, actually. The authors have their own way of combatting this (via their own reporting and Citizen Radio) but they reference many other journalists and others who report the news that actually is news, not just propaganda and talking points.
For instance, the authors note that - in a discussion about gay rights - CNN (trying to be 'objective') asked Tony Perkins of the incredibly conservative and bigoted Family Research Council to weigh in... As if both sides are equivalent, have equal merit, and it's just a matter of opinion whether or not gays are people. Kilstein/Kilkenny write, "But the real question is: why is CNN asking uninformed bigots their opinions in order to skew the debate?" This is not journalism, this is talking heads trying to fill a segment until the next commercial.
Each chapter in #Newsfail deals with a different theme (gays, guns, climate change, women's health), and is written in a very familiar or blog-type way. Some may be put off by this style, but the substance is worth paying attention to. Even if I disagreed with an individual opinion, I could not refute the main thesis: the MSM is not telling us what we need to know to make an informed decision about the topic.
The Mainstream Media is what most people see (thus 'Mainstream'). They have abdicated their responsibility to be a check on power, and instead have become a mouthpiece for it. Luckily, there are many outlets for news, if you want to look, but we have to CHOOSE to move away from the corporate sources, and find the independent sources - the ones who may not tell you what you want to hear, but will tell you what you need to know.
January 9, 2015
It’s a sign of the times that a book title is in the form of a hashtag. For many disillusioned with mainstream politics, #Newsfail: Climate Change, Feminism, Gun Control, and Other Fun Stuff We Talk About Because Nobody Else Will (Simon & Schuster, 2014) might be a welcomed treat. Authoring this humorous commentary on the American political landscape is the goofy comedian-journalist couple, Jamie Kilstein and Allison Kilkenny, best known for Citizen’s Radio, their independent online radio show that some might call “left-leaning” and others might call “radical.”
Style-wise, #Newsfail has a lot in common the work of Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, although I doubt the authors would appreciate the comparison. Kilstein and Kilkenny have an opinion about nearly every current issue people are talking and arguing: climate change, “rape culture,” the “gay agenda,” gun control, drug reform, and more. They also have some strong words for the political situation and role of corporations and the media today. However, most of what they have to say boils down to strong language and weak arguments. But I don’t think the authors are really trying to convert anyone to their side. They’re here to entertain their fans, so even some allies might find it difficult to take #Newsfail too seriously. (Hence, why it’s categorized as “Humor.”)
If you have the stomach for a lot of ad hoc “it’s just so” arguments and “we represent the people” claims, then go for it. Between their rants are some hilarious and charming stories about how the couple got together, created their radio show, etc. While I’m far from being on board with their politics (a big exception being “rape culture” – disgusting it certainly is!), I found their book a nice quick read: the sort of thing that’s suitable for an airplane carry-on. I could appreciate it in spite of itself. The only thing I’m left wondering is, why – for all their ranting against corporate media and sponsors – did they go with a big-time publisher? Ironic, definitely.
Disclaimer: I received an advance uncorrected proof copy of this book as a First Reads giveaway winner on GoodReads.com. There was no obligation to write a review.
Style-wise, #Newsfail has a lot in common the work of Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, although I doubt the authors would appreciate the comparison. Kilstein and Kilkenny have an opinion about nearly every current issue people are talking and arguing: climate change, “rape culture,” the “gay agenda,” gun control, drug reform, and more. They also have some strong words for the political situation and role of corporations and the media today. However, most of what they have to say boils down to strong language and weak arguments. But I don’t think the authors are really trying to convert anyone to their side. They’re here to entertain their fans, so even some allies might find it difficult to take #Newsfail too seriously. (Hence, why it’s categorized as “Humor.”)
If you have the stomach for a lot of ad hoc “it’s just so” arguments and “we represent the people” claims, then go for it. Between their rants are some hilarious and charming stories about how the couple got together, created their radio show, etc. While I’m far from being on board with their politics (a big exception being “rape culture” – disgusting it certainly is!), I found their book a nice quick read: the sort of thing that’s suitable for an airplane carry-on. I could appreciate it in spite of itself. The only thing I’m left wondering is, why – for all their ranting against corporate media and sponsors – did they go with a big-time publisher? Ironic, definitely.
Disclaimer: I received an advance uncorrected proof copy of this book as a First Reads giveaway winner on GoodReads.com. There was no obligation to write a review.
November 10, 2014
Per FTC regulations, I received this book as part of the GoodReads First Reads giveaway program.
Let me start by saying that podcasts are not my thing. They're not how I prefer to receive information. And, unfortunately for the authors of this book, I happened to download one of their podcasts before reading this book. I listened for about 10 minutes to 3 women who were discussing anything but what might have been the topic. It was more of a mutual admiration society wherein one would tell the others where she'd seen their work recently, and the others would ooh and aah. And, all of this was poorly recorded (in my not so professional opinion) as the audio levels were sort of all over the place for each speaker. Almost like one was sitting directly in the microphone, and the other was off on a couch somewhere enjoying a glass of wine or something. It was very disconcerting and I didn't enjoy it at all.
Next, I experienced this book in a sort of dichotomy. I read the first half or so before the most recent mid-term elections and I wasn't impressed. It was funny, but not uproarious; it was authoritative, but a little whiny. And, the authors kept referring to themselves as "the authors" throughout the book, which made for some rather odd reading. "We" is a pronoun for a reason. Anyway...so I did not start off liking it. However, as with all First Reads books, I really want to make it through before I review because there's a reason I requested it in the first place. So, the second half was read after the mid-term elections (in which my "side" was taken to the woodshed) and I'm not sure if I began to read it in a different light, or if I simply resonated with the latter chapters more. Regardless, it got better.
Here's the thing: I applaud what they're doing. And possibly, if you like podcasts, you will enjoy theirs. This book doesn't really read like a podcast, though. It's almost the "Guide to Misadventures in Podcasting." But, they raise some excellent points about media and journalism and its ties to corporate dollars in the United States. They also manage to be self-deprecating, which I typically enjoy.
In short, it's not groundbreaking, but it's worth a read if you think that maybe the news isn't all that great.
Let me start by saying that podcasts are not my thing. They're not how I prefer to receive information. And, unfortunately for the authors of this book, I happened to download one of their podcasts before reading this book. I listened for about 10 minutes to 3 women who were discussing anything but what might have been the topic. It was more of a mutual admiration society wherein one would tell the others where she'd seen their work recently, and the others would ooh and aah. And, all of this was poorly recorded (in my not so professional opinion) as the audio levels were sort of all over the place for each speaker. Almost like one was sitting directly in the microphone, and the other was off on a couch somewhere enjoying a glass of wine or something. It was very disconcerting and I didn't enjoy it at all.
Next, I experienced this book in a sort of dichotomy. I read the first half or so before the most recent mid-term elections and I wasn't impressed. It was funny, but not uproarious; it was authoritative, but a little whiny. And, the authors kept referring to themselves as "the authors" throughout the book, which made for some rather odd reading. "We" is a pronoun for a reason. Anyway...so I did not start off liking it. However, as with all First Reads books, I really want to make it through before I review because there's a reason I requested it in the first place. So, the second half was read after the mid-term elections (in which my "side" was taken to the woodshed) and I'm not sure if I began to read it in a different light, or if I simply resonated with the latter chapters more. Regardless, it got better.
Here's the thing: I applaud what they're doing. And possibly, if you like podcasts, you will enjoy theirs. This book doesn't really read like a podcast, though. It's almost the "Guide to Misadventures in Podcasting." But, they raise some excellent points about media and journalism and its ties to corporate dollars in the United States. They also manage to be self-deprecating, which I typically enjoy.
In short, it's not groundbreaking, but it's worth a read if you think that maybe the news isn't all that great.
October 29, 2014
Been a vegetarian for eight years. I read, write, and discuss topics of feminism and gender issues frequently. Gun control, especially in my state, is completely laughable. If there is a person more predisposed to liking this book, it's hard for me to imagine, because every chapter title spoke to something that I was interested in or concerned about.
And yet I didn't really love this book.
It might have been the chapter on veganism, which really did alienate me with the whole "vegetarians, you think you're doing it right, but if you still eat eggs/dairy, you're doing it wrong." There was an anecdote about one of the author's trying vegetarianism for a while and eating nothing but cheese pizza. Well, yes, that's an example of "doing it wrong." But there's nothing said for actual vegetarianism. It's just a straight leap from "wrong vegetarian" to "vegan is the only way."
If I found that preachy and irritating, I can only imagine how convincing it would all be to a dedicated carnivore.
With regards to the rest of the book, the general feeling is that the world sucks and no one will save us. That's how it seemed, anyway. There's a little epilogue about the success of alternative news media and how it does have the chance to save us all, but honestly it felt like a 'too little, too late' gesture to really make one feel better about everything that's just read.
I'm not a very good activist/idealist, because this sort of thing doesn't inspire me to run out and want to make a difference in the world. I mostly just want to put my head in my hands and sigh heavily.
So, three stars. Five for the content itself, because the topics discussed were interesting and a lower rating looks more like a conservative trolling attempt than an honest critique. But if I'm offering my rating for tone and voice, I'd be nudging that rating down to a 2. So three stars seems like a fair compromise.
And yet I didn't really love this book.
It might have been the chapter on veganism, which really did alienate me with the whole "vegetarians, you think you're doing it right, but if you still eat eggs/dairy, you're doing it wrong." There was an anecdote about one of the author's trying vegetarianism for a while and eating nothing but cheese pizza. Well, yes, that's an example of "doing it wrong." But there's nothing said for actual vegetarianism. It's just a straight leap from "wrong vegetarian" to "vegan is the only way."
If I found that preachy and irritating, I can only imagine how convincing it would all be to a dedicated carnivore.
With regards to the rest of the book, the general feeling is that the world sucks and no one will save us. That's how it seemed, anyway. There's a little epilogue about the success of alternative news media and how it does have the chance to save us all, but honestly it felt like a 'too little, too late' gesture to really make one feel better about everything that's just read.
I'm not a very good activist/idealist, because this sort of thing doesn't inspire me to run out and want to make a difference in the world. I mostly just want to put my head in my hands and sigh heavily.
So, three stars. Five for the content itself, because the topics discussed were interesting and a lower rating looks more like a conservative trolling attempt than an honest critique. But if I'm offering my rating for tone and voice, I'd be nudging that rating down to a 2. So three stars seems like a fair compromise.
August 9, 2015
I'm going to be totally honest here: I'm probably not the target audience Kilstein and Kilkenny had in mind when they committed pens to paper. This is not because I'm a hard and fast conservative, but because I'm already in tune with how mainstream media has failed us on reporting major issues in recent years. As a journalist, I'm already attuned to looking a stories objectively and finding the truth to report, just like the authors. Their target is clearly someone without this knowledge and experience behind them.
And that's totally fine! While reading #newsfail, I quickly picked up on treating this book like a primer for those who are just getting their feet wet in independent media and questioning what's fed to them from the 24-hour news cycle. This is a great introduction to important issues -- reproductive rights, gun control, drug legislation, racism, etc. -- that often get cast to the wayside, or even made fun of, by the major news outlets.
All within the span of less than 200 pages, Kilkenny and Kilstein do a fantastic job of summing up exactly what the issues are while pointing out where reporting has gone wrong. Their casual and witty style makes this book approachable for the newbies who wouldn't appreciate being condescended to when just starting out. It reads like a conversation between friends who are dedicated to helping educate others. They even make sure to cite their sources, just as good journalists should do.
While I probably knew too much for who the authors were trying to reach, I can definitely see this as a worthwhile tool for people like myself to give to friends who are just starting to question everything. Furthermore, I think Kilkenny and Kilstein have just made a new subscriber to their podcast.
And that's totally fine! While reading #newsfail, I quickly picked up on treating this book like a primer for those who are just getting their feet wet in independent media and questioning what's fed to them from the 24-hour news cycle. This is a great introduction to important issues -- reproductive rights, gun control, drug legislation, racism, etc. -- that often get cast to the wayside, or even made fun of, by the major news outlets.
All within the span of less than 200 pages, Kilkenny and Kilstein do a fantastic job of summing up exactly what the issues are while pointing out where reporting has gone wrong. Their casual and witty style makes this book approachable for the newbies who wouldn't appreciate being condescended to when just starting out. It reads like a conversation between friends who are dedicated to helping educate others. They even make sure to cite their sources, just as good journalists should do.
While I probably knew too much for who the authors were trying to reach, I can definitely see this as a worthwhile tool for people like myself to give to friends who are just starting to question everything. Furthermore, I think Kilkenny and Kilstein have just made a new subscriber to their podcast.
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