Edison’s Phonograph

Edison’s Phonograph

The quiet breakfast could end up being a thing of the past if the rumors about Edison inventing a phonograph are true.

Copy Link
Facebook
X (Twitter)
Bluesky
Pocket
Email

If Mr Edison is at work, as reported, upon a phonograph which will reproduce in an audible voice a morning newspaper for every breakfast table, he ought to reflect upon the moral responsibility which the success of such an experiment will entail upon him. He would he a reckless father who should deliberately set a phonograph of that kind a-going at his breakfast table. Imagine, for instance, the effect upon a respectable family of listening to the first page of one of Tuesday’s morning papers in which the place of honor is given to a detailed account of an adventure by a notorious gambler in a haunt of other gamblers, with full particulars of the man’s disreputable career. The reader can skip this kind of news if he wishes to, but he would have to listen to it, and have his family listen also, if he had to take his news in regular order from the mouth of a phonograph. In fact, few heads of families would tolerate an infliction of current “journalism” in that form for longer than five minutes; after that they would either order the instrument out of the house, or smash it with the first heavy weapon within reach.

Support independent journalism that does not fall in line

Even before February 28, the reasons for Donald Trump’s imploding approval rating were abundantly clear: untrammeled corruption and personal enrichment to the tune of billions of dollars during an affordability crisis, a foreign policy guided only by his own derelict sense of morality, and the deployment of a murderous campaign of occupation, detention, and deportation on American streets. 

Now an undeclared, unauthorized, unpopular, and unconstitutional war of aggression against Iran has spread like wildfire through the region and into Europe. A new “forever war”—with an ever-increasing likelihood of American troops on the ground—may very well be upon us.  

As we’ve seen over and over, this administration uses lies, misdirection, and attempts to flood the zone to justify its abuses of power at home and abroad. Just as Trump, Marco Rubio, and Pete Hegseth offer erratic and contradictory rationales for the attacks on Iran, the administration is also spreading the lie that the upcoming midterm elections are under threat from noncitizens on voter rolls. When these lies go unchecked, they become the basis for further authoritarian encroachment and war. 

In these dark times, independent journalism is uniquely able to uncover the falsehoods that threaten our republic—and civilians around the world—and shine a bright light on the truth. 

The Nation’s experienced team of writers, editors, and fact-checkers understands the scale of what we’re up against and the urgency with which we have to act. That’s why we’re publishing critical reporting and analysis of the war on Iran, ICE violence at home, new forms of voter suppression emerging in the courts, and much more. 

But this journalism is possible only with your support.

This March, The Nation needs to raise $50,000 to ensure that we have the resources for reporting and analysis that sets the record straight and empowers people of conscience to organize. Will you donate today?

Ad Policy
x