Author Archives: Ethan

Race, Fame and Ability: untangling media coverage of NFL QBs

Posted on December 24, 2016 by Ethan

Some research from our lab, the Center for Civic Media, because it’s fun and something I’m glad we produced. In the US, NFL football is more than a sport – it’s a stage on which broader national dramas play out. … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Rights, Just for fun, Media | Comments Off on Race, Fame and Ability: untangling media coverage of NFL QBs

Lunch with my friend, the Trump supporter

Posted on December 9, 2016 by Ethan

Two week ago, I wrote an op-ed for CNN.com on Steve Bannon, the “alt-right” and white nationalism. It got the reaction I usually get when I write on CNN – passionate wishes for my speedy demise, helpful reminders that I … Continue reading →

Posted in ideas | 6 Comments

Trump’s victory and the rise of insurrectionism in America

Posted on November 13, 2016 by Ethan

Hundreds of thousands of articles will be written this week trying to explain what happened in the 2016 US presidential election. One of the best explanations was written four years ago by television host and cultural commentator, Chris Hayes. In … Continue reading →

Posted in ideas | 5 Comments

Making space for sadness

Posted on November 13, 2016 by Ethan

I hadn’t found space yet to cry this week. As the election results came in, I was out bowling with my students, and as they got more despondent, I told them ways Clinton might still win. When I woke to … Continue reading →

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What happens when mistrust wins – my speech at the Colombian national journalism prize

Posted on November 4, 2016 by Ethan

I spent yesterday in Bogota, Colombia, as the invited guest of the Premio Nacional de Periodismo Simón Bolívar, offering a speech on the future of civics and the future of journalism. It’s a wonderful event – roughly 1100 people came … Continue reading →

Posted in ideas | 5 Comments

This crazy election: Denial of Service attacks on Democracy

Posted on November 1, 2016 by Ethan

Reading Facebook before bed last night, amidst the Halloween costumes and candy haul photos, I saw this headline: “How to choose between the most corrupt, least popular candidates of all time”. Given that I’m researching a book on mistrust and … Continue reading →

Posted in ideas, Media | 1 Comment

Dumpsterfire 2016: What To Do When You Have No Idea What To Do

Posted on October 17, 2016 by Ethan

After the last presidential debate, I wrote on Twitter that the whole experience had left me wanting to take a shower… in sulfuric acid. Looking for an anger beyond fear, anger and despair, I made four donations – to a … Continue reading →

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Going Solo – On hating and accepting change

Posted on September 18, 2016 by Ethan

I have not been writing much about my divorce on this blog – I’ve kept most of that discussion on Facebook. I thought this post, wrestling not only with the divorce, but unwanted change more generally, might be helpful for … Continue reading →

Posted in ideas | 3 Comments

Massive National Prison Strike! Maybe. We don’t know. That’s a problem.

Posted on September 10, 2016 by Ethan

Yesterday, prisoners around the US began a strike protesting unpaid, underpaid and forced labor. Maybe. We think. Led by prisoners in Alabama and Texas, incarcerated activists planned a nationwide labor strike yesterday, with prisoners refusing to report for jobs essential … Continue reading →

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Supporting Feyisa Lilesa, a remarkable athlete and protester

Posted on August 23, 2016 by Ethan

At the end of the Rio Olympic men’s marathon, silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa did something extraordinary, important and dangerous. As he crossed the finish line, he crossed his wrists in front of his forehead in a gesture that’s halfway between … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Human Rights | Comments Off on Supporting Feyisa Lilesa, a remarkable athlete and protester