"Freakonomics" suggests bias in mainstream media is real

Media bias has long been a rallying cry of conservative talk radio in trying to denigrate the longstanding political influence of old media, aka newspapers.

Most academic efforts to prove those allegations right or wrong sided with newspapers, saying the left-leaning bias was overblown.

An episode of "Freakonomics" titled "How Biased in your Media?" however, suggests that bias is measurable and strong, at least according to an interesting set of variables developed by Tim Groseclose, author of "Left Turn: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts the American Mind."

As with almost any study, a person can poke holes in the methodology. And I certainly question findings that list The Wall Street Journal among the most liberal news outlets measured. 

I started taking the 40-question Political Quotient test mentioned in the podcast to measure my bias, but bailed before I got 25 percent through for two reasons: I didn't have time and the questions seem loaded. 

I'm not sure we'll ever find tools that truly measure true or perceived bias, but unlike some journalists tired of defending themselves, I actually think the topic is worth continued discussion. Not so much to settle the issue once and for all but rather to ensure we never take "the other side" for granted.

Was 1967 the most influential year in music ever?

There aren't many things that are as good today as they were 45 years ago, but much of the rock music produced in 1967 still resonates in ways most people could never imagine. 

Just check out this list of heavyweight music released that year: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band," "Love's "Forever Changes," "The Velvet Underground and Nico," "The Doors," Jimi Hendrix's"Are You Experienced," Cream's "Disraeli Gears," "The Who Sell Out" (my favorite album of theirs), Aretha Franklin's "Respect," Otis Redding's Monterey Pop performance, The Rolling Stones' "Satanic Majesty's Request," Buffalo Springfield, Janis Joplin, The Four Tops' "Reach Out, I'll Be There," Pink Floyd's debut and on and on. 

"Sound Opinions" tackled that historic year in a recent two-episode special examining the impact of such hugely influential music the star-studded Monterey Pop Festival. Both episodes are well worth the listen, if only to remind us that there's classic rock and there's CLASSIC ROCK.

Episode one is here and episode two is here.

One crazy ride down the mountain

This video is amazing, and shows the ingenuitely people have in trying to stretch seasonal businesses in new ways. 

So, when an Austrian ski resort is short of snow, what to do? Why not build a high-speed, 3-mile single-rail rollercoaster in which nutty people sit on the equivalent of a bicycle seat and careen down a steep mountain? Makes sense to me. 

And having been to Mammoth and other Northern California ski resorts in summer and tasting more than my fair share of dust while mountain biking down the mountain, I'm issuing a callout: Build one of these puppies and I'll be one of your first customers. Hell, I'll even be a beta tester.