As a general rule, I think the press doesn't push itself very hard- it largely does whatever it has to do to sell papers (or equivalent). Here's what I think:

As a general rule, I think the press doesn't push itself very hard- it largely does whatever it has to do to sell papers (or equivalent). Here's what I think: Intelligent commentary on difficult issues emerges into popular consciousness whenever the difficult issues are serious enough that the intelligent, thoughtful folk are forced to have conversations with the general masses. In this simplistic sense, major issues "shake up" sociopolitical reality. I know this sounds a little elitist. I don't consider myself to be one of the "intelligent, thoughtful folk". I'm a veritable moron. But whenever these shakeups happen, there's an increased demand for intelligent commentary, and the press moves to fulfill that demand. That's my theory. I could be totally wrong; would love to hear input/criticism from others on this.