Comedy draws audiences toward the political center and short circuits disinformation. The Newsload leverages this into a grassroots business that can be repeated in any community.
The real magic, shown visually through the comedy compass is how comedy organically impacts society:
Jokes that cater to the political center tend to resonate with a broader audience, making Newsload outlets operating within this spectrum more likely to achieve commercial success. In contrast, online fear-mongering thrives on the most extreme content for commercial gains. The comedy compass illustrates how humor effectively flips-the-script on how fear-based strategies work online.
When it comes to the far ends of the political spectrum, jokes lose their humour quick. Newsload outlets that venture into extreme narratives soon realize that being funny in such contexts is nearly impossible, especially for the general public. This will either push the platform toward a more moderate position, retaining their audience, or force them to close due to financial challenges.
The compass illustrates the evolutionary role of humor. The Newsload method can leverage this unused potential as long as freedom of speech is permitted. And perhaps even in some places where it isn't - *wink, wink, nudge, nudge.*
The Superpower List
This list of superpowers simplifies highly complex interactions among humans on a large scale. We are of the opinion that the greater the population, the more precise the predicted result.
SUPERPOWER #1
Hard Cover
Online trolls struggle when dealing with comedians because it's challenging to discredit them by labeling them as anything other than a comedian. While trolls brand their opponents as political puppets, academic frauds, or biased reporters, comedians are much harder to categorize. Consequently, trolls often find themselves frustrated, as comedians simply shrug, smile, and amuse the trolls' own followers at the trolls' expense.
If that's not a superpower, I don't know what is.
Using comedy is a powerful method that can tap into our primal brain, counteract hatred, soothe animosity, and unite us.
SUPERPOWER #2
Soft Cover
Humour tends to be better absorbed and understood by truth tellers compared to those who ignore or distort the truth. As a result, humour serves as a protective shield for truth tellers, softening the impact of criticism, while intensifying criticism towards individuals who rely on limited evidence. Currently, truth tellers on the internet are disadvantaged, engaging in conflicts or blocking each other frequently, sometimes for innocent mistakes, while dishonest individuals appear to act without consequences. This situation is driven by a mindset rooted in fear.
Comedy, once again, flips the script.
Under the guise of comedy, truth-tellers are allowed to acknowledge their mistakes, laugh about them, and gain insights from the experience. The distinction between a stranger and an old friend lies in the ability to share jokes with the latter. On the contrary, trolls tend to react more aggressively in such settings, resorting to exaggerated language, avoiding accountability, and misinterpreting criticism in order to influence bystanders and shape their beliefs.
Narcissists are particularly vulnerable when it comes to comedy, which is why they often resort to mocking others.
SUPERPOWER #3
Rear Cover
Having this superpower is crucial in today's media landscape. As a Newsload Editor, you have the capacity and responsibility to support journalists, not only those we promote to our audience, but journalists across the board. In the past, reporters faced harassment, no doubt. However, with the advent of social media, powerful entities can mobilize hordes of trolls armed with various tools to intimidate and discredit them. These relentless attacks gradually erode trust in journalism as a whole. While journalists may appear resilient, the underlying fear induced by this situation alters their reporting approach and content.
Undermining respected independent news outlets is a tactic used by foreign entities aiming to sow division, and by businesspeople seeking profit. Due to the principles of credible journalism, reporters are unable to confront trolls in the way they might wish. While this is reasonable, it can lead casual readers to mistakenly believe the unaddressed misinformation.
So far, there has been no protection for journalists from these assaults.
The Newsload will bring about this change. Only a Newsload Editor and their team have the ability to stay unbiased and confront trolls in defense of journalists. Several key points need to be considered:
A Newsload Editor can be vulgar, where warranted.
A Newsload Editor can use the weapons the trolls use, where warranted.
A Newsload Editor works to reveal the trolls so that followers can see their malign intent.
In summary, Newsload Editors offer support to journalists, allowing them to concentrate on their work while safeguarding the reputation and integrity of their media outlet.
SUPERPOWER #4
True Independence
This ability is the one I prefer the most. Journalism is facing significant challenges, not only from external influences but also from within. Journalists working in various communities frequently find themselves unable to report on the most crucial stories. This is not about conspiracy but pragmatism. Due to financial pressures, editorial leadership often prioritizes stories that will attract the most attention with the least amount of journalistic effort.
Having the freedom to create sketches and highlight stories that are often overlooked, a Newsload Editor can bring attention to important issues. Bringing a scandal to light, for example, can offer justifications for allocating more resources. By being a Newsload Editor, you have the power to influence the media's focus in your community and initiate changes that promote greater civic accountability overall.
SUPERPOWER #5
Lie Filter
Have you ever observed that popular late-night comedy programs such as Saturday Night Live, the Daily Show, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, etc. tend to gravitate towards the political center? It's not so much about politics. It indicates that comedy thrives on truth, and truth, in this context, aligns with the beliefs of the majority of people. That's why it's referred to as the political center.
Any Newsload platform has the ability to neutralize any influence that prioritizes anything other than truth, regardless of their political leaning. When a political group starts to stray from established facts, they become vulnerable to satire and the comedians who deliver it. This phenomenon is already evident on a larger scale.
On the local level, The Newsload will enable this to occur at an exponential rate.
Humor has consistently revolved around truth, with the key lying in the presentation. Consider a joke with a "racist" theme that brings laughter. If we viewed the racist implication as accurate, it wouldn't be amusing. The humor only arises when the inherent absurdity is revealed.
SUPERPOWER #6
Fear Crusher
Humour does not depend on scientific evidence for its effectiveness. People either find it funny or they do not. The same principle applies to fear, which is why fear is a popular tool among trolls and authoritarians. The Newsload uses humour to counterbalance fear, just like on the savannah 65,000 years ago. As long as a Newsload story is grounded in objective, professional reporting, it will remain unaffected by the tactics trolls employ to create uncertainty. Comedy challenges the instincts of the masses. Nothing resonates more with instinct than something that evokes hearty laughter.
Humour is the antithesis of Fear. While fear is employed to create division, humour fosters unity.
Interestingly, better suited to our modern era is humour. Fear is being spread virtually to many individuals who actually have nothing to fear. Despite having a comfortable life, a stable job, and living in a peaceful neighborhood, they are influenced to fear abstract concepts. Humour, on the other hand, can also be spread virtually, aiming to make people feel positive, optimistic, and compassionate. This psychological state is more appropriate for the world that these individuals inhabit. Unless a major disaster strikes, humour will continue to prevail in this aspect.
SUPERPOWER #7
True Persuasion
After a joke, after someone's world view is threatened, there needs to be rhetorical space left for them to come closer to the center, without recrimination. "I told you so", is possibly the most destructive phrase ever uttered. Properly administered, funny can crush fear while leaving space for egos to heal. Every time a joke is laughed at by someone who doesn't agree with the substance behind it, there is a chance they will glimpse a new perspective. These moments can become epiphanies, but mishandled they push folks further away.
To ensure the effectiveness of True Persuasion, Newsload Editors should bear in mind that it does not involve 'being superior' or possessing 'greater knowledge'. It entails creating room for adversaries to stand alongside you.
The concept is most effectively conveyed through the shared feeling of not grasping a joke. It can be uncomfortable when you need someone to explain a joke to you. Regardless of political beliefs, we all strive to comprehend it. In what other aspect of contemporary society can we encourage radicals to engage in comprehending an alternative perspective? If it's humorous, they will. Once more, humour flips the script.
CONCLUSION
By utilizing the truths conveyed in the comedy compass, The Newsload harnesses market dynamics to gain extraordinary abilities in the battle to rejuvenate democracy, combat extremism, and counter disinformation, both on the internet and within communities. We are convinced that, when organized effectively, this strategy and its potential demonstrate how comedy has the power to rescue the world.
Superpower #1: Hard Cover - Criticizing a comedian is difficult because they are typically seen only as comedians. Attempting to do so may result in failure, alienate your followers, and make you the subject of new jokes. Trolls tend to go after easy targets.
Superpower #2: Soft Cover - Newsload Editors provide a safe space for truth tellers to seek refuge by humorously addressing their mistakes. At the same time, trolls are provoked into frenzy by humour, as they fear humiliation more than anything else.
Superpower #3: Rear Cover - Newsload Editors have the ability to defend their fellow journalists. They safeguard reputations and expose misinformation online by using the same language as trolls, when necessary.
Superpower #4: True Independence - As a Newsload Editor you will have the independence to build sketches and draw attention to stories that may be going under the radar in your community.
Superpower #5: Lie Filter - What's funny has always been about what's true and this can expose liars to their followers.
Superpower #6: Fear Crusher - Humour is the antithesis of fear. While fear is employed to fuel hatred, humour fosters unity. Once this realization is embraced, it has the power to transform the world.
Superpower #7: Genuine Persuasion - When presented and followed up effectively, humour has the ability to broaden people's minds, providing them with an opportunity to shift their viewpoint and distance themselves from political extremes and misinformation.
The Newsload is creating an army of comedians to save the world... there I said it. And what's crazier, we're going to do it through laughter. I know right! It'll take time and it'll be a wild ride for sure. We'll see such laughter and goodness though - we'll see such renewed hope! But what I really want, is to see the comedy people come up with next. It will be epic!
Newsload Sample Story (Launching Newsload London)
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