The Influencing Machine: Brooke Gladstone on the Media

How do Gladstone and Neufeld use humor throughout the book? Describe and analyze three examples.

What kind of relationship does Gladstone believes exists between the news media and the American government? What are some reasons she gives for this relationship?

What kind of relationship does Gladstone believes exists between the news media and American consumers? What are some reasons she gives for this relationship?

Gladstone mentions several kinds of bias that exist in news media coverage. Name these biases and give examples from the book for each. What effect do these biases have on consumers?

What is the Influencing Machine? Why does Gladstone choose this as the book's central metaphor?

How does Gladstone portray herself? Do you see evidence of bias in her writing? Why or why not?

Gladstone devotes a significant portion of her book to war reporting. Why does she do this? 

Gladstone reports that consumers are drawn to news and information that supports and confirms their worldviews. Do you believe this is true? Why or why not?