Rest of the Story: We Miss You, Paul Harvey
Upside Down in the Spin Zone
Did you catch the latest headline from the United Nations?
Cropland is in decline worldwide, and we’re supposed to see it as another alarm bell for climate change. But is that the whole story?
Where’s Paul Harvey when we need him? You know, the radio legend who always gave us “the rest of the story”? Because here’s what the UN report didn’t lead with: cropland is shrinking because agriculture is becoming more efficient globally. We’re using less land to feed more people, and better than ever before. That’s not bad news — that’s progress.
Even better, the land we no longer need for crops is being returned to preservation and wild spaces. A win-win for humanity and the planet. Surely, we can all agree that protecting natural areas is a step in the right direction.
So, why does the UN spin this encouraging trend as a crisis?
Maybe it’s a good reminder to think critically about the stories we consume. Are we getting a balanced reading diet? Are we nourishing ourselves with the “rest of the story” — the context and nuance that make all the difference?
Thank you to
and his Substack post, “Spinning Good News as Bad News,” for the deeper dive that inspired this reflection.
Warm regards,
Craig
Craig A. Williamson
Regarding Things That Matter - Newsletter
www.regardingthingsthatmatter.com
P.S. What are your thoughts? Hit “Reply” or leave a comment below if reading on the Substack app or website. Let me know — I’d love to hear from you.
