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PBS host and American author/journalist/hist orian Alexander Heffner discusses the effects of divisiveness on discourse\ , media\, and governance as well as the influence of social platforms and f ilter bubbles\, mis- and disinformation\, and bigotry that polarize and und ermine civil society. What are possible prescriptions to correct this cycle ? How can our civic footprint translate into constructive instead of destru ctive behaviour? How can we help achieve integrity in the public sphere?
In this Dorothy Black Lecture\, PBS host Alexander Heffner reflec ts on our current moment in historical perspective. Heffner's book\, A Documentary History of the United States\, explore contemporary politi cs\, populism\, and pestilence through critical documents\, such as speeche s\, testimonies\, tweets\, and other digital postings.
Heffner discus ses the effects of divisiveness on discourse\, campaigns\, and governance a s well as the influence of new media\, dis/misinformation\, and filter bubb les that polarize information intake and society. In conversation with the audience\, Heffner and guests will consider the responsibilities of civic e ducation and citizens\, practice exercises to inform and build bridges\, an d work toward the pursuit of life\, liberty\, and happiness\, including exp lanations of aspirational and inspirational oratory.
Alexander is host of The Open Mind on PBS. He has covered American politics\, civic life and Millennials since t he 2008 presidential campaign. He is profiled in The Wrap\, Mediai te\, Raw Story\, The Washington Post\, The New York T imes\, The Des Moines Register\, Christian Science Monito r\, Variety\, Medium\, and on MSNBC\, C-SPAN\, NPR\, CNN\, ABC and the BBC.
His writing appears in The Daily Beast\, The Independent\, USA TODAY\, WIRED\, T IME\, NYT's Room for Debate\, Boston Globe and P hiladelphia Inquirer\, among other publications. He is coauthor of bes t-selling book\, A Documentary History of the United States (Tanto r Media\, 2020\; Penguin\, 2018\, forthcoming 2022)\, and recipient of Univ ersity of Denver’s Anvil of Freedom Award\, Franklin Pierce University’s Fi tzwater Medallion for Leadership in Public Communication\, and Yale Univers ity’s Poynter Fellowship in Journalism.
Heffner has lectured at the N ewseum\, National Constitution Center\, Museum of American Finance\, FDR Li brary and Museum\, The American University in Cairo\, Initiative for Truth at University of Sydney\, Center for Information and Bubble Studies at Univ ersity of Copenhagen\, Institute on Constitutional Democracy at University of Missouri\, Civil Discourse Lab at the University of New Hampshire\, Depa rtment of Writing and Rhetoric at University of Mississippi\, Center for Co nstitutional Democracy at Marshall University\, Catt Center for Women and P olitics at Iowa State\, Clarke Forum at Dickinson College\, Alpha Seminar a t Carroll College\, among other institutions of learning.
Dr. Ian Hill is an Associate Professor in the Depart ment of English Language and Literatures at the University of British Colum bia. He specializes in the History and Theory of Rhetoric\, and is also aff iliated faculty with the Graduate Program in Science and Technology Studies . His research focuses on rhetoric and technology\, and he teaches courses in rhetorical history and theory\, the rhetoric of technology\, textual cri ticism\, argumentation\, and memes.
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