The Durango Herald Details the Focus of Durango’s Mountain Middle School Cell Phone Policy in “Trust Me” Documentary
“Mountain Middle School, its technology policy, and media literacy efforts serve as a successful model for educators and parents trying to teach the next generation how to critically consume media.” - Aedan Hannon Herald Staff Writer Mountain Middle School, located in Durango, CO is featured prominently in the “Trust Me” documentary. That’s because they are a unique success story when it comes to dealing with misinformation and teaching media literacy to children. Their policies involving cellphone bans and media literacy curriculum highlight the type of rationality that our socie
Stephen Pinker, Harvard University Professor of Psychology, Discusses His Latest Book – “Rationality: What It Is, Why It Seems Scarce, Why It Matters,” On The Joe Rogan Experience
In episode #1743 of The Joe Rogan Experience, Stephen Pinker sits down with Rogan to talk about the scarcity of rationality within certain segments of our society. Pinker outlines his theory that while some areas of civilization are becoming more rational over time, there appears to be a growing disparity of rational thought between specific groups and organizations. He gives examples of increasing signs of rationality within the realms of charity, professional sports, policing, and governmental institutions. On the other hand, Pinker references the rising number of conspiracy theorists with i
AWARD-WINNING DOCUMENTARY “TRUST ME” PREMIERED ON PBS JANUARY 7
Directed by Oscar-nominated Roko Belic, film shows crucial need for media literacy and solutions for more resilience, hope, and trust LOS ANGELES — WORLD Channel and Public Broadcasting Stations (PBS) nationwide will kick off the New Year with a special one-hour, made-for-television version of “Trust Me,” the documentary created by acclaimed director Roko Belic and Joe Phelps of The Getting Better Foundation. The film brings awareness to the need for media literacy to help combat polarization of communities, threats to democracy, medical misinformation, and mental illnesses. I
Building Trust Through Truth
Anxiety. Depression. Substance Abuse. Suicidology. Why are these debilitating mental health disorders on the rise while poverty, famine, crime, war, and conflict are on the decline? When we are provided with the empirical truths that today may be one of the greatest times to be alive, we remain skeptical. Yet, facts from credible scientists, journalists, researchers, and psychologists prove the trendlines are positive. “There can be no question of which was the greatest era for culture; the answer has to be today, until it is superseded by tomorrow.” – Steven Pinker, Enlighten
Education Closes the Gap that Legislation Leaves Open
Written by Joe Phelps There’s a lot of talk about legislating more governmental control of the major social media platforms. While there is room for legislation to hold digital services (such as Facebook, Twitter, Reddit and Instagram) responsible for some mis- dis- and mal-information that’s published on their platforms, it may encroach on freedom of expression. So, regulating content becomes a challenging tightrope walk. Another obstacle is that platforms may deny their responsibility for content moderation because, for example, land lines and satellite signal providers state that they
Social Media is Only Part of the Problem
Written by Joe Phelps, CEO, Getting Better Foundation Netflix’s documentary, ”The Social Dilemma”, exposed the motivations and technologies of social media platforms as well as the algorithms that drive them. What it doesn't explain however, is the complex challenge media ill-literacy presents. The U.S. State Department has recognized the importance of media literacy, as they premiered our film, "Trust Me" at their annual conference. “Trust Me” portrays real-life consequences to our lack of media literacy. Our hyper-attentiveness to threats and violence, our tendency to rem
How fake news leads to conspiracy theories
Written by Rosemary Smith, Managing Director of Getting Better Foundation Besides being potentially avoidable tragedies, what do the Nashville Bomber, Russian Trolls, Black Lives Matter, Covington Catholic, Pizza Gate, Sandy Hook, Anti-Vax, and COVID Conspiracies all have in common? They’re all instances where a lack of media literacy led to destruction of property, health or life… and they were all avoidable. Overviews: Nashville Bomber: a belief, taken from online misinformation touting “5G paranoia” is believed to have motivated Anthony Warner’s desire to disrupt Tenn