The Most E-Mailed Stories

Examine the lists of the 10 Most E-Mailed Stories and The 10 Most Viewed Stories on the home page of the online version of the New York Times Web site for  Tuesday, Feb. 10. When you consider them as a whole, do any consistent themes or preoccupations (on the part of journalists or readers or both) emerge? What do the lists suggest is the primary function or functions of the press in America today (informing, entertaining, rumor-mongering, counseling, editorializing, marketing, etc.)?  How would Postman explain the kind of stories that  predominate the lists? Your response is due -- remember, no late or inadequate responses are given credit -- by  Wednesday, Feb. 11, 4 p.m.


 For further provocation, click on links below:

http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/elements/2014/01/the-six-things-that-make-stories-go-viral-will-amaze-and-maybe-infuriate-you.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/26/public-editor/just-the-facts-maam-no-more.html?hpw&rref=opinion

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/11/25/1039957/-STUNNING-Comparing-U-S-World-Covers-for-TIME-Magazine