Column: CEO Learnings
Expanded Book Review: How the News Makes Us Dumb: The Death of Wisdom in an Information Society, by C. John Sommerville
C. John Sommerville’s How the News Makes Us Dumb remains as relevant today as when it was first published in 1999. In an era where information is abundant but wisdom scarce, Sommerville’s insights into the fundamental flaws of daily news resonate deeply with current audiences, navigating the polarized, fast-paced digital world.
Sommerville moves beyond common criticisms of journalistic bias or media incompetence to 
explore the very concept of “news” itself, arguing that the structure of the news cycle itself impairs our ability to gain true understanding and perspective.
The Inherent Problem of “Dailiness”
The crux of Sommerville’s argument lies in the concept of “dailiness.” News is constructed to be delivered every day, creating the illusion that each day brings significant events deserving our immediate attention.
This constant demand for novelty and urgency impairs our ability to contextualize and critically evaluate what we consume. We become conditioned to focus on transient events that are quickly replaced by the next day’s headlines, ultimately leading to a shallow understanding of the world around us.
Sommerville likens this perpetual news cycle to a form of addiction. T he news offers a steady stream of transient events that, while engaging, rarely provide any depth. He suggests that the daily structure of news coverage forces simplification and, ultimately, the trivialization of major issues. Wisdom, on the other hand, requires an understanding of larger contexts and connections—something that daily news, focused on emotional engagement and profitability, seldom provides.
The Degradation of Wisdom
Wisdom, as Sommerville emphasizes, is about understanding the deeper meanings and connections between events, which requires a broad, historical perspective. The modern news format, however, fosters the opposite: a fragmented series of stories that lack continuity and context. The pursuit of immediacy and sensation ensures that audiences are fed anxiety-inducing sound bites rather than informed, reflective narratives.
Moreover, Sommerville is particularly critical of the way the news deconstructs reality. By selectively highlighting stories that evoke fear, shock, or conflict, news contributes to a culture that prioritizes emotional engagement over rational understanding. This emotional framing fosters not only a superficial understanding of issues but also an inherent bias against traditional wisdom and cultural continuity.
Wisdom—which involves recognizing the limitations of immediate action and embracing uncertainty—is sidelined in favor of simplistic answers that fit the immediacy demanded by the daily news cycle.
The Virtual Society vs. Real Community
Sommerville also delves into how news creates a “virtual society.” Rather than forging meaningful connect
ions with neighbors and local communities, we become absorbed in a virtual narrative shaped by the media, creating a false sense of belonging. These media-induced “communities,” such as those centered around specific news networks, offer little more than echo chambers that validate one’s biases rather than foster genuine dialogue or shared pursuit of truth.
This dynamic has intensified with the rise of social media, creating echo chambers that restrict individuals from encountering diverse viewpoints. Sommerville foresaw a world where news increasingly drives people apart, making true dialogue and consensus more difficult.
By diverting our attention away from our immediate environment and real relationships, news consumption has weakened the very fabric of community life.
A Glimpse of Hope: The Rise of Alternative Media
Despite the bleak picture Sommerville paints of the news industry, there is a promising shift in how people engage with information today. Alternative media outlets and long-form interviews are experiencing tremendous growth, offering a counterbalance to the “headline culture.”
Figures like Joe Rogan, Megyn Kelly, and Tucker Carlson are tapping into an audience that is hungry for something more substantial than the fragmented, shallow news offered by legacy media outlets. These platforms, which often feature in-depth conversations instead of the sound-bite-driven segments typical of traditional news, are attracting audiences exponentially larger than those of many legacy news programs.
In addition to long-form interviews, shows featuring multiple guests discussing topics are also gaining popularity. For instance, Megyn Kelly adeptly balances both formats—hosting in-depth interviews as well as panel discussions on her show.
Patrick Bet-David’s program regularly includes a primary guest and three additional discussants, creating a richer and more diverse discussion environment. Similarly, Bill Maher thrives with his panel of guests, all of whom contribute to an open-ended dialogue without adhering to a script.
These multi-guest formats offer the kind of nuanced, unscripted conversation that is often absent in mainstream media. The dialogue is spontaneous, dynamic, and, above all, refreshing—providing audiences with genuine insights rather than pre-packaged opinions.
These shifts indicate a growing desire for content that prioritizes depth, nuance, and dialogue. Rather than telling audiences what to think, these emerging media forms allow for genuine exploration of complex issues, 
something that traditional news has largely failed to deliver.
People are craving the “meat and potatoes” of substantial conversation—something that can foster both reflection and understanding, instead of the anxiety and confusion generated by daily headlines.
Sommerville also highlights the importance of turning away from daily news in favor of books, particularly biographies and history, as well as quarterly publications. These sources offer the depth and perspective that is often missing from the “dailies,” allowing readers to increase their insight and wisdom. He emphasizes that, unlike news, which merely skims the surface, books and in-depth publications have the power to engage our higher mental faculties and foster true understanding.
The Emergence of Independent Journalism
Another positive trend is the rise of independent investigative journalism, as prominent journalists leave corporate media to strike out on their own. Notable examples include Lara Logan, Sharyl Attkisson, and Catherine Herridge—all of whom have stepped away from traditional media outlets to pursue their work in a more independent environment.
Lara Logan, formerly of 60 Minutes, and Sharyl Attkisson, previously with CBS and CNN, have launched independent platforms to present in-depth investigations without the editorial constraints of corporate interests.
More recently, Catherine Herridge, who was let go from CBS for her attempt to cover sensitive topics such as Hunter Biden’s laptop, has also embraced independent media. These journalists, known for their integrity and dedication to the truth, have chosen to distance themselves from corporate media, where editorial decisions are often driven by interests other than honest reporting.
This movement of experienced journalists into independent media offers hope for the future of journalism. It indicates that there is still a market for rigorous, fact-based reporting that does not cater to partisan interests.
These independent voices have found their audience through streaming platforms, circumventing the gatekeeping of traditional broadcast networks and providing the kind of investigative reporting that many mainstream outlets have largely abandoned.
The Need for Reflection and Cultural Renewal
In How the News Makes Us Dumb, Sommerville challenges readers to reassess their relationship with the media. He advocates for a shift away from compulsive news consumption toward more deliberate engagement with books, thoughtful discussions, and historical reflection. By encouraging readers to prioritize depth over immediacy, Sommerville calls for a return to the enduring cultural values that news consumption often undermines.
Recent changes in the media landscape suggest that many individuals are beginning to heed Sommerville’s call, whether consciously or not. While legacy media outlets continue to struggle with declining trust and shrinking influence, the rise of long-form interviews, panel discussions, and independent investigative journalism provides a hopeful indication that wisdom—rather than shallow, transient information—can still be attained in the information age.
The new media ecosystem has the potential to revive the kind of discourse that Sommerville sees as crucial for a well-informed society. Platforms that facilitate open-ended discussions, encourage independent journalism, and draw on deeper historical and cultural contexts are providing audiences with a more authentic way to 
engage with the world. This evolution suggests that the future of media may hold more promise for fostering understanding, insight, and genuine dialogue.
Conclusion
Sommerville’s How the News Makes Us Dumb is a powerful critique of how the news industry has failed us, not simply by being biased or incompetent, but by the very nature of its operation. Its constant demands for immediacy, sensationalism, and novelty keep us engaged but uninformed, addicted to change but deprived of true wisdom.
However, the emerging landscape of alternative media—long-form interviews, unscripted panel discussions, and independent investigative journalism—offers a glimpse of hope. These platforms are reviving the kind of dialogue and depth that the traditional media has long abandoned, providing audiences with the opportunity to engage meaningfully with the world around them. As Sommerville encourages us, the answer lies not in more news but in better information—books, conversations, and insights that go beyond the headlines and dive deep into the substance of life.
RELATED RESOURCES: 
- How the News Makes Us Dumb: The Death of Wisdom in an Informaton Society, by C. John Sommerville
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