Topic: Credibility

A clip from The Simpsons Movie featuring Tom Hanks is used to illustrate the government's loss of credibility. In the clip, Hanks "borrows" his personal credibility to the U.S. government to promote a new Grand Canyon. The segment suggests that modern celebrity endorsements of government policy are reaching a similar level of absurdity.

The discussion continues regarding the long-term damage to US credibility following the Afghanistan withdrawal, comparing it to the Soviet Union's exit in 1989. Questions are raised about the fate of thousands of private contractors and their families who built infrastructure in the country. It is suggested that the military was withdrawn before citizens, creating a "shameful" situation for those who risked their lives for the US.

The NewsGuard browser extension is introduced as a tool that uses human analysts to rate the credibility and transparency of news websites. The hosts test the plugin on various sites, noting that InfoWars receives a red warning while CNN and Fox News receive green ratings. They examine the "nutrition label" feature which details site ownership, financing, and adherence to journalistic standards.

Elon Musk proposed creating a website called "Pravda" where the public can rate the core truth of articles and track the credibility scores of journalists and editors. Musk's proposal follows negative coverage of Tesla, which he attributes to the influence of fossil fuel advertisers on mainstream media organizations.

White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders is facing intense scrutiny regarding her credibility following the Rudy Giuliani revelations. Media critics argue that her previous denials of the Stormy Daniels payment have rendered her ineffective in her role. This shift in perception follows the White House Correspondents' Dinner where she was criticized by comedian Michelle Wolf.

The hosts point out conflicting stories from Parkland student activist David Hogg regarding his location during the shooting. While Hogg initially claimed to be in class, a later interview suggested he rode his bike to the school after the event started to record video. The discussion focuses on the potential for "blowback" when the media elevates young activists whose stories may have inconsistencies.

MSNBC's Brian Williams reports on Devin Nunes' decision to brief the White House on incidental intelligence gathering. Williams questions the appropriateness of the Chairman's actions and the "suspicion" injected into the investigation. The hosts mock Williams' own lack of credibility following his past reporting scandals, calling him the "Mel Gibson of news."

The mainstream media is characterized as having a complete meltdown over the past few days, leading to a significant loss in public credibility. This period of low trust is expected to be temporary but notable for its perceived failure in objective reporting.

NPR CEO Jarl Mohn discusses the potential for "sponsored content" or native advertising on public radio. While he expresses concern that it might "blur the lines" and damage NPR's credibility with its "unique brand of listener," he admits the network may eventually have to adopt the practice to survive.

The rise of "credibility market exchanges" like Airbnb and Uber is discussed as the future of the global economy. These platforms rely on peer-to-peer review systems, similar to the model pioneered by eBay, to establish trust between strangers. However, the hosts predict that government regulation and hotel industry lobbying will eventually stifle these decentralized business models.

CBS News anchor Scott Pelley admitted in a speech that the mainstream media has suffered significant failures in accuracy, specifically citing his own incorrect reporting during the Newtown shooting. Pelley had falsely reported that Nancy Lanza was a teacher at the school, a decision he took responsibility for as managing editor.

Pew Research Center data shows a dramatic decline in the believability of major news organizations over the last decade. Only 33% of respondents believe most of what they hear on 60 Minutes, while CNN and Fox News trail at 29% and 27% respectively, with the New York Times falling to 20%.

A Gallup poll indicates that American confidence in newspapers and television news remains at historic lows. The hosts argue that the media may be intentionally discrediting itself to transition the public toward "proxy sites" and anonymous blogs that will serve as the new primary sources of information.

The hosts admit to being "dead wrong" about their 2008 election predictions, which originally favored a McCain-Giuliani ticket over an Obama-Clinton ticket. The collapse of the economy is cited as the "buzzsaw" that destroyed McCain's chances, leading to a formal admission of failed political forecasting.

The mechanics of legal depositions are explained, focusing on how attorneys attempt to discredit expert witnesses by attacking their education or past writings. The role of an expert is often to get a single specific point into the record while surviving aggressive cross-examination.