Don't ask the obvious question

In a mostly good article about Sam Altman, the authors include this as part of a larger quote from Altman: “We were making these massive scientific discoveries—I think we did the most important piece of scientific discovery in, I don’t know, many decades.” The piece moves on.

Hold on a minute! The most important piece of scientific discovery in many decades? That sounds like a pretty big deal! Could we hear more about it? No? Ok then.

This is a recurring pattern among journalists of all stripes. The subject makes a breathtaking claim that is — if not accepted outright — breezed right past, when any normal person would want to know more. It’s no wonder that newsmakers keep saying whatever crazy shit pops into the old dome.

Although I’m not a journalist, as a service to those remaining, particularly at CBS News, here is a list of potential followup questions you can use, which I’m offering you free of charge:

• What?

• Wait, what?

• What the hell are you talking about?

• When did that happen?

• What does that mean?

• Who?

• Huh?

• Wha?

• Whaaaat?

Give one of these a spin the next time you hear something that doesn’t sound quite true. You just might learn something!