Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Top Stories

A different take on social media and democracy

A person looking at social media app icons on a phone
Matt Cardy/Getty Images

This episode of the “Democracy Works” podcast featured an engaging interview with V, the creator behind Under the Desk News on TikTok. V discussed the evolution of their social media presence, emphasizing the role of social media as a modern day "third place" for community, replacing traditional physical spaces for socializing. They highlighted the importance of online spaces, particularly for marginalized groups, providing a sense of belonging and connection.

The conversation delved into the impact of social media on loneliness, with V asserting that it serves as a remedy to the lack of physical third places. They argued that social media, despite its criticisms, plays a crucial role in fostering community, especially for individuals who might feel isolated in their local environments.


V debunked the notion that social media is the cause of loneliness, attributing it instead to the lack of stability and comfort in real-life interactions. Drawing on personal experiences and examples, they highlighted how social media platforms like TikTok create spaces for representation and connection, especially for those in less accepting or diverse environments.

The discussion also touched on the changing dynamics of news consumption among Generation Z. V challenged stereotypes, emphasizing that young people are actively engaged in civic matters, particularly issues like gun activism, racial equality, women's rights and climate change. They stressed the importance of respecting and understanding Gen Z's perspectives rather than dismissing them based on misconceptions.

Towards the end, V talked about the future of news media and its integration with social platforms. They highlighted the challenges and opportunities for traditional media to adapt to new formats like TikTok and YouTube shorts. V's insights shed light on the evolving landscape of news dissemination and the need for a collaborative approach between traditional media and social media creators.

The episode concluded with a discussion about democracy, focusing on how Gen Z perceives it. V challenged the idea that young people are disinterested in democracy, asserting that they care deeply but are disillusioned with the current political system. They emphasized the importance of understanding and addressing the concerns of younger generations to foster meaningful civic engagement.

In the latter part, V introduced their new podcast, "American Fever Dream," which aims to spotlight down-ballot candidates making impactful changes at the state and local levels. The podcast seeks to provide a comfortable space for reflection on democracy, politics, and pop culture, incorporating humor and analysis.

Read More

When Good Intentions Kill Cures: A Warning on AI Regulation

Kevin Frazier warns that one-size-fits-all AI laws risk stifling innovation. Learn the 7 “sins” policymakers must avoid to protect progress.

Getty Images, Aitor Diago

When Good Intentions Kill Cures: A Warning on AI Regulation

Imagine it is 2028. A start-up in St. Louis trains an AI model that can spot pancreatic cancer six months earlier than the best radiologists, buying patients precious time that medicine has never been able to give them. But the model never leaves the lab. Why? Because a well-intentioned, technology-neutral state statute drafted in 2025 forces every “automated decision system” to undergo a one-size-fits-all bias audit, to be repeated annually, and to be performed only by outside experts who—three years in—still do not exist in sufficient numbers. While regulators scramble, the company’s venture funding dries up, the founders decamp to Singapore, and thousands of Americans are deprived of an innovation that would have saved their lives.

That grim vignette is fictional—so far. But it is the predictable destination of the seven “deadly sins” that already haunt our AI policy debates. Reactive politicians are at risk of passing laws that fly in the face of what qualifies as good policy for emerging technologies.

Keep ReadingShow less
Why Journalists Must Stand Firm in the Face of Threats to Democracy
a cup of coffee and a pair of glasses on a newspaper
Photo by Ashni on Unsplash

Why Journalists Must Stand Firm in the Face of Threats to Democracy

The United States is living through a moment of profound democratic vulnerability. I believe the Trump administration has worked in ways that weaken trust in our institutions, including one of democracy’s most essential pillars: a free and independent press. In my view, these are not abstract risks but deliberate attempts to discredit truth-telling. That is why, now more than ever, I think journalists must recommit themselves to their core duty of telling the truth, holding power to account, and giving voice to the people.

As journalists, I believe we do not exist to serve those in office. Our loyalty should be to the public, to the people who trust us with their stories, not to officials who often seek to mold the press to favor their agenda. To me, abandoning that principle would be to betray not just our profession but democracy itself.

Keep ReadingShow less
Fighting the Liar’s Dividend: A Toolkit for Truth in the Digital Age

In 2023, the RAND Corporation released a study on a phenomenon known as "Truth Decay," where facts become blurred with opinion and spin. But now, people are beginning to doubt everything, including authentic material.

Getty Images, VioletaStoimenova

Fighting the Liar’s Dividend: A Toolkit for Truth in the Digital Age

The Stakes: When Nothing Can Be Trusted

Two weeks before the 2024 election, a fake robocall mimicking President Biden's voice urged voters to skip the New Hampshire primary. According to AP News, it was an instance of AI-enabled election interference. Within hours, thousands had shared it. Each fake like this erodes confidence in the very possibility of knowing what is real.

The RAND Corporation refers to this phenomenon as "Truth Decay," where facts become blurred with opinion and spin. Its 2023 research warns that Truth Decay threatens U.S. national security by weakening military readiness and eroding credibility with allies. But the deeper crisis isn't that people believe every fake—it's that they doubt everything, including authentic material.

Keep ReadingShow less
From TikTok to Telehealth: 3 Ways Medicine Must Evolve to Reach Gen Z
person wearing lavatory gown with green stethoscope on neck using phone while standing

From TikTok to Telehealth: 3 Ways Medicine Must Evolve to Reach Gen Z

Ask people how much they expect to change over the next 10 years, and most will say “not much.” Ask them how much they’ve changed in the past decade, and the answer flips. Regardless of age, the past always feels more transformative than the future.

This blind spot has a name: the end-of-history illusion. The result is a persistent illusion that life, and the values and behaviors that shape it, will remain unchanged.

Keep ReadingShow less