In the computer industry, there is an old saying, “garbage in, garbage out”. The following are my personal primary reading sources.
I think that a lot of the issues that we face right now are the result of a news ecosystem that is starved for advertising money due to Facebook and Google. If you can afford it, I recommend subscribing to reliable news sources, so that they can afford a staff of investigative reporters to hold the people in power accountable.
General-Interest Newspapers
The Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com
Probably the best newspaper in the country. After the meltdown of the newspaper industry, they still have a staff of investigative reporters. You can also find columnists on all parts of the political spectrum, from those who I agree with a lot of the time to those who spout utter nonsense.
The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com
They undoubtedly consider themselves the best newspaper in the country, and they are one of the best, but I think that sometimes their staid editorial and publishing policies have a hard time keeping up with our time of infowars.
The San Jose Mercury News: https://www.mercurynews.com
I had to include my local newspaper, because it occasionally offers up something unique, but like most newspapers, it is a shadow of its former self.
General-Interest Foreign Newspapers
The Guardian (United Kingdom): https://www.theguardian.com/us
The Independent (United Kingdom): https://www.independent.co.uk/us
Magazines
The Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/
I began to read The Atlantic in 1982, right after I graduated from college, and I can say with certainty that it has made me smarter. I have always liked the mix of topics of general interest, futurism, essays and fiction. Founded in 1857 with an abolitionist mission.
The New York Review of Books: https://www.nybooks.com
The “of books” part of the title is in smaller font, I think, because it is really the New York Review of Ideas and Books. A lot of great essays.
Harper’s: https://harpers.org/
Great essays, primarily, but also such interesting tidbits and excerpts from other sources. Another magazine with a literary focus.
Skeptical Inquirer: https://skepticalinquirer.org/
For the skeptical mind with a scientific approach.
Political Magazines
The American Prospect: https://prospect.org/
A political magazine that navigates to the left. I don’t always agree with their approach, but it is always in earnest. One of the founders is Robert Reich, whose work I have always admired.
The Washington Monthly: https://washingtonmonthly.com/
A political magazine that navigates to the left, but whose approach I find more practical (policy wonkish). Their stated purpose is to make government work better for everyone.
Blogs
Stonekettle Station (Jim Wright): https://www.stonekettle.com/
Jim Wright is a retired Navy intelligence officer who is a great writer. He focuses on domestic politics and other topics that interest him, like photography and science fiction. He posts a lot on Facebook and Twitter as well, if you are into that.
Marcus on AI (Gary Marcus): https://garymarcus.substack.com/
Since I became interested in AI developments, it became clear that Gary Marcus was the voice of reason about current AI capabilities and shortcomings, as well as its future promise. His book Rebooting AI is a must read. I subscribe to his Substack blog for his latest insights.
Cartoonists
This Modern World (Tom Tomorrow): https://thismodernworld.com/
Tom Tomorrow is a pseudonym for an award-winning editorial cartoonist. If you like his stuff, join his mailing list for a small fee, and get his weekly cartoon.