Blog Post 2: About the history and workings of the U.S. Supreme Court

Before watching the Comm3390 Supreme Court videos (1 & 2), my understanding of the Supreme Court was largely restricted to its function as the final appellate court for legal cases in the United States. I was not, however, aware of the significant discretion the court has in deciding which cases it will hear. I had thought beforehand that the Court would be interested to hear most of the appeals that came before it; however, I learned that it receives thousands, not even millions, of petitions each year. The Supreme Court interprets the law not just as a "reactive body" per se, but also as a "proactive body" that actively influences public policy through its rulings on a range of situations, according to one explanation of the videos. It is the way that the justices have to consider the bigger political and societal impacts of their actions that is very eye-opening for me. I had always thought the court as a body was only concerned about high-profile cases, law, and independent political influence. After watching, I see it is more than that; the video reveals to us how the ideology and strategic thinking decisions influence us as a country. The most interesting insight for me was the significant role played by law clerks within our country.

The most interesting insight for me was the significant role played by law clerks within our country. I had no idea beforehand that clerks play such an important role in screening many petitions and also help develop an opinion for the justices themselves. This adds another level to the process of decision-making and highlights the often overlooked work happening in the background. In addition to this, the videos made me reimagine the justices as legal authorities only and instead as human beings with individual philosophies and personal lives and, on some occasions, political agendas as well. Watching these lectures shifted my understanding of the Court to the point where it remains an integral part of justice but is now viewed as human and far more entwined in politics and strategic plays than I had ever understood beforehand. This awareness of complexity further reinforces my respect for the Court within our country.

Blog Post 1: Top 5 Sources of Information

I consider myself a well-rounded person. I use a mix of international and mainstream media outlets that are readily accessed and generally held in good standing. A universal tool in this approach is Google News, which serves as a powerful aggregator by gathering articles from a variety of media outlets and presenting them. This allows me to place reports from a variety of sources alongside one another, recognize biases, and build up a complete picture of current events. In addition, the site is highly customizable, allowing me to prioritize specific areas of interest, such as breaking news, technological news, or global events.

 

For in-depth daily journalism, I regularly consult ABC News for their dependable presentation, easy-to-use interface, and credible journalism that generally resists excessive editorial interference. The addition of real-time updates and video content creates a more interactive product, providing a sense of immediate connection with events as they occur; their long history as a reliable news source has been built up over decades.

My interaction with TikTok has exceeded my early expectations as a means of being updated about current events. The platform is defined by speed, lack of curation, and a surprisingly high proportion of informative content—especially in the aftermath of major news events. I am following various content creators that successfully summarize news in short and understandable video formats, often citing credible sources. Also, it gives a real-time idea about public opinion, which I find as important as the information that is being shared. Of course, I read the content with a critical mind; however, it is a great tool for keeping up with engagement and rapidly evaluating the currents in events that are occurring.

 

The BBC's international journalistic framework puts events in the United States within the context of a larger whole, and their reports often include contextual material and analysis that is missed by American news media. The above sources offer in-depth analyses on a wide range of subjects, displaying an outstanding dedication to accuracy and international consciousness that surpasses most others.

Instagram is a more selected experience and moves at a comparatively slower pace; however, it is still a vital part of my information strategy mix. I follow news accounts, leaders, and niche accounts that share updates, infographics, and brief explanations via stories or posts. Further, the content goes beyond headlines; some creators go into detailed context and commentary, which I appreciate the most. This platform is less reactive than TikTok, while being more reflective in nature—and this balance works incredibly well for me.