Several people have commented that their social media feeds are depressing, upsetting, bitter, and in most cases: an echo-chamber.
I wrote about this recently on what you can do about “Your Facebook Bubble“, how the algorithm works (particularly on Facebook), and why it’s important. So today I thought I’d share a list of Twitter and other sources you might consider adding to your feeds.
I took the effort a year or more ago to balance out my streams and sources with opposing and bi-partisan sources. if you’re reading a lot of Slate, or getting all your news from Sam Bee, Sean Hannity, or Jon Oliver, try balancing out with some of these folks. I watch Jon Oliver, too, but that doesn’t help the echo-chamber.
I have tried to avoid large “ad” entities, like political parties’ sources, though I follow each just to read what they’re saying. There’s no Drudge or Breitbart here. There’s no hate-mongering people here. I’m looking for smarts, not entertainment.
I also include several Indiana-specific people, too. If you find yourself lacking in knowledge about what’s happening at the State House, these folks are indispensable.
And if you find yourself saying, “Oh, no, I don’t want to see that”, you’ve missed the point and opportunity. If you feel angry at these things, then it’s probably working.
Is this the end-all list? Of course not. But this has helped me understand more sides of important issues.
I’ve linked to Twitter and sites where possible here. Facebook and other URLs can often be found in the bios of these people. You can follow me directly on Twitter @jlharter.
Nicke Gillespie – Journalist at Reason.com, a libertarian-leaning news source.
Reiham Salam – Writer for Slate and the National Review.
Adam Wren – Writer for Indianapolis Monthly and POLITICO.
Charles Cook – Editor for the National Review, frequent panelist on Real Time with Bill Maher
Grover Norquist –President of Americans for Tax Reform (“the tax pledge”), which has the ear of every elected representative in Washington.
Brian Slodysko – AP Political Reporter for Indiana.
Dan Carden – Statehouse Bureau Chief for the Times of NW Indiana.
SCOTUS Blog – Indispensable source for Supreme Court coverage.
Indiana Law Blog – to add to the former, Marcia Odi has done stellar work over the years covering Indiana’s Judiciary.
Abdul-Hakim Shabazz – Veteran Indiana politics reporter with a conservative tilt.
Nikki Kelly – can’t recommend following her enough. Great Indiana government and politics reporter covering the State House. One of the few left.
Aaron Renn – Indiana native now working at the conservative Manhattan Institute. An urbanist covering issues related to city growth and economies.
Doug Masson – Lafayette attorney covering Indiana’s politics for about a decade.
Alex Griswold – Media reporter at Mediaite.
Matt Welch – Co-author of the Declaration of Independents.
HHR – The urban conservative blog.
Matt Taibbi – excellent writer and journalist (left-leaning) for Rolling Stone. Also a regular on Real Time With Bill Maher.
Windsor Mann – Writer and editor of The Quotable Hitchens.
David French – Senior Fellow at the conservative National Review Institute.