Article March 9, 1992 Issue

Second Thought

Looking again at news and commentary

"Journalism's Blind Spot" by D. Patrick Miller

Columbia Journalism Review

"Society's move toward more individual, deeply felt spirituality is going largely unexplored by the press....

"According to San Francisco State professor of philosophy Jacob Needleman, 'The journalist's perspective on reality has to do with what will excite people: scandal, violence, money and sex. Internal events don't make the news.... By the way they frame their questions, they never elicit the most profound aspects of human experience.'

"Perhaps the typical journalist's tool kit of investigative techniques has become empty of qualities such as wonder, empathy, tenderness and compassion. Such inner qualities are the wellspring of America's modern spiritual light, which glows steadily despite the blind spot of American journalism. What many journalists cannot now see may develop into a grace that amazes them."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Healing for our world