In a time where fake news and alternative facts are common, it is essential that journalists, authors and bloggers strive to embody fairness and honesty in their work. This requires a critical eye toward the world around them while being driven by the highest moral standards. Emerson’s writing reflects these qualities and continues to inspire today’s journalists, bloggers and other content creators.
Emerson’s Work Is Deeply Analytic
Emerson’s most well-known works, “The Conduct of Life” and “The Nature of Love,” both emphasize the importance of reason and understanding, which he linked to the practice of listening. Reason, in turn, is necessary because of the overwhelming number of stimuli that bombard the human senses. Without critical thinking, we become confused and disoriented in a world of constant change, which can cause us to behave in ways that are not in our best interests. By integrating analytic thinking into our decision-making and actions, we can ensure that we do the right thing at all times and overcome our shortcomings. In today’s world, this is more important than ever as we try to navigate an ever-changing global political landscape.
Emerson’s Work Is Inclusive
In Emerson’s “The Conduct of Life,” he warns that the pursuit of pleasure can lead us down a path of self-destruction. Similarly, in his great travelogue, “Journeys Among Worlds,” he advocates for a more holistic view of the world, one that takes into account the connections we have with others and the environment around us. In today’s world, a travelogue that only recounted the geography and described the nature of the places visited, would seem fairly anachronistic. But Emerson’s work suggests that a travelogue can still be a valuable form, as long as it is accompanied by a critical analysis of the society and culture that the writer visits. Inclusive thinking is also necessary because humans are inherently social animals, who thrive on connecting with others and feeling a sense of belonging. A travelogue that did not include a nuanced analysis of the society and culture the writer visited would simply be an unrepresentative snapshot of a place that is otherwise difficult for others to contextualize and understand. Traveling and writing about others is always difficult, but it is even more so when you do not share a language or cultural background with the people you are writing about. Inclusion not only makes our world more realistic, by increasing the likelihood that others will understand our stories, but also helps us develop empathy toward others, even those with whom we struggle to associate.
Emerson’s Work Is Democratic
In today’s world, information should be viewed as a public good, which is why news organizations, including this one, play such an important role in scrutinizing power and providing a platform for public discourse. But this does not mean that all information should be treated equally, and there are certain kinds of information that are more valuable than others. For example, having access to classified information is often necessary for journalists to fully pursue their craft and ask the hard questions. This is why some newspapers and journalists are more valuable than others. In fact, the more valuable a newspaper or magazine is, the more it can charge for access to such information. Democratic societies value plurality and diverse opinions, and so too does Emerson’s work. A democratic society is one in which everyone feels a sense of ownership over the information that is disseminated, and everyone has an equal opportunity to access it. For this reason, democracy is often associated with equality, which is also essential for the healthy functioning of a society. As Emerson wrote, “Truth in all its bearings is best; / But when we are in error, as we often are, / The folly of the multitude testifies / Against the sophistry of solitaire.” Equal error correction is necessary for maintaining a healthy democracy. In a democracy, we must all play an active role in guarding against abuse of power and falsehoods by ensuring that our electoral process is working effectively and that our institutions, from the judiciary to the press, are independent and not corrupt. A vote that is tallied without verification or a check on the accuracy of the results risks plunging us into chaos. This, in turn, may lead to violence, as we have seen in authoritarian and totalitarian states. It is for this reason that journalism, as Emerson defined it, is essential for the health of a democracy. Without it, confusion reigns supreme and the public grows increasingly inattentive and disengaged.
We Need to Listen More
As noted, Emerson valued listening above all else, and he advised that we should all try to develop this skill. Yet, we often fail to do so. In today’s world, we are surrounded by information, and we often need to seek out information that is not readily available. The rise of the “infodemic” and the prevalence of easily manipulable and contradictory information have made this quest more difficult. In an interview with the Columbia Journalism Review, Joe FitzPatrick, CEO and executive editor of NewsGuild USA, stated, “There is a loss of nuance. People are less connected to reality. They’re just getting information that feeds them and doesn’t challenge them. And that’s dangerous.” The answer, then, is not to eliminate or reduce the amount of information that is available, but to make sure that we have the critical analysis to separate the signal from the noise. Without it, we end up with fake news, hoaxes, and clickbait.
This is why, in Emerson’s “Conduct of Life,” he counsels, “Doubt all you can and keep your freedom; / No expedient is secure that does not rest upon itself.” This sentiment continues into Emerson’s great work, “Nature,” where he argues that we must reject the “tranquilizers” that try to reduce our anxiety about change. Instead, we must embrace the uncertainty that comes with growth and innovation. As Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote nearly a century before, “Doubt is the foundation of faith.” Perhaps, then, the answer is not to eradicate our skepticism, but to learn to value it. We should not be afraid to question authority or widely accepted beliefs, especially when there is good reason to do so. If we are fearful of opposing viewpoints, we will inevitably be forced into positions that are unsupported by empirical evidence. In these cases, we are left with no choice but to rely on faith, which is often accompanied by a feeling of insecurity and skepticism. Our task, then, is to develop the courage of our convictions and the strength of our faith. In so doing, we can promote healthy, objective thinking that will inevitably lead to more effective problem-solving and a greater sense of accomplishment in dealing with the world around us.