Journalists' Brains Exhibit Lower Than Average Levels Of Executive Functioning

                 A new study, led by neuroscientist and leadership coach Tara Swart and conducted in association with the London Press Club, found that journalists’ brains exhibit lower than average levels of executive functioning. This means they have a less than average ability to control their emotions, solve complex problems, show creative and flexible thinking, and suppress biases.

                Well, knock me over with a feather.

                The study, as reported by Business Insider, analyzed 40 journalists from newspapers, magazines, broadcast media, and online platforms over the course of seven months in an attempt to determine how they function under stress. The journalists participated in tests relating to their lifestyle, health, and behavior, with each subjected to a blood test. They also wore a heart-rate monitor for three days, kept a food and drink diary for a full week, and completed a brain profile questionnaire.

                The results showed that the journalist’s brains operated at a lower level than the average population. No surprise there. This was assumed to be, in part, because of dehydration, and their significantly greater-than-average intake of alcohol, caffeine and high-sugar foods. Less than 5% of those in the study drank the recommended daily amount of water.

                Interestingly enough, interviews showed the group as a whole thought their jobs had a great deal of meaning and purpose. No surprise there, either.

                A majority of them just don’t possess the traits necessary to do those jobs well, speaking of the obvious.

                Many “journalists” admittedly get into the business to “change the world.” And, for many, their desire to characterize events in a manner in keeping with their biases leads them to project their take on events rather than objectively describing them. This accomplished, they can then nod knowingly, smile ingratiatingly, imbue their voices with caustic sarcasm, or fairly shout in righteous anger in preening attempts to display their superior morality.

                In this way, they turn reality into mawkish theater. Thus, they create news. Thereby, by definition, fake news is born. The very fake news they claim to abhor.

                “Trump want drain swamp. Me live in swamp. Therefore, Trump bad. Kill Trump. Kill Trump!”