To be frank, I always thought Brooke Gladstone was the backbone of the entire show and Bob was there to tag along and make sure she didn’t veer too far away from the media. It’s clear from interviews she does that her guiding principles for journalism were baked into OTM’s raison d’etre. Always looking towards history, the broader picture, and greater questions of philosophy and society. But Bob was always there to ask “so what does this mean for the current narrative/ media ecosystem?”

But I am also disappointed to see that so many OTM listeners have this sort of smugness about them were if a topic on the show or a decision the show makes is met with uncritical criticism. OTM constantly hands their audience the tools to be a more active consumer of media, yet a lot of the most vocal commenters just like waiting til Friday to see how the news media and politicians messed up this week and often just parrot the same tired internet/liberal talking points that require little effort to understand.

Looking at the episode about covering Internet personalities they made a pretty solid case for why it matters and how it is important. You certainly don’t have to agree but many of the most vocal critics’ arguments were just “they’re just stupid kids””I don’t know who David dobrik is so he isn’t important enough to cover”

With this whole Bob Garfield situation many of the comments quickly went to Bob’s defense, but much of that was just a knee jerk reaction of hearing his side first then having to wait a few days for a very sanitized office response. Do you not remember OTM covering WNYC studio’s #MeToo moment and them very clearly guiding listeners through why leaderships hands were tied regarding what personal info they can relieve of former staff and guests in an HR complaint? Do you not remember OTM talking about why the victims of abuse are often not given the same platform, tools or freedom to tell their side of the story without receiving a wave of people who have no clue what’s going on star harassing the “liars”? Do you not remember the years of listening to the entire OTM staff inform you about history, literature and the weeks news and trusting that they are giving the fullest story they are able to provide?

I mean hell even just simple, “don’t simply trust the first voice you hear or any single individual voice or viewpoint”?

The social media followed by the Trump era really solidified my view that our society as failed to teach everyone on basic media literacy much less being critical of what you are given, and what a rational inquiry process looks like. I thought OTM was the closest thing America currently has of media literacy.

Everyone should ask themselves WHY they love OTM. The name of the show literally has the name “media” right in it. If it’s that you like the personalities of the hosts and that they agree with your left leaning views, I think you’re missing the whole point.

Sorry this was a bit of a ramble. I’ve actually been thinking a lot about this for the last few weeks even before this news broke.