There is a certain superior feeling people get from getting their news from a non mainstream source. It's cool to rebel against authority, easy to call people w

There is a certain superior feeling people get from getting their news from a non mainstream source. It's cool to rebel against authority, easy to call people who believe established news outlets ignorant "sheep", and it makes one feel as if they're part of an exclusive club for real "truth seekers". This feeling lets people believe some of the nonsense that comes out of these sources. There's something about a small, underground news source that makes people believe whatever comes out of it without vetting whereas the same story out of the NYT would make the same people question it. Everyone wants to root for the underdog and everyone wants to belong. Non-mainstream sources of news give people an outlet for that which is why they get a pass from "truth seekers" who like to claim they have high standards for what they consume. You have a very healthy attitude about news consumption. It's very reasonable and you made a great point. I'm not saying these alternative sources of news don't ever get it right. It's not about that. The important thing is not the source of the news so much as your ability to detect bullshit. Put another way, the important thing is being a smart consumer of news. Making the kinds of connections you make in your comment and asking those types of questions you ask are what is important. If only we could all sharpen our critical thinking skills not only would we be better news consumers but all news organizations large and small, mainstream or not, would be forced to raise the bar on their reporting and journalism as a profession.