Category Archives: Spirit of communication

On World Communications: Love is News We Can Use

Posted on January 24, 2023 by Bill Schmitt

An updated version of this commentary will be posted today as a special edition of “Phronesis in Pieces” at billschmitt.substack.com. Pope Francis, posting his 2023 World Communications Day message, has reinforced the sense of urgency and purpose he consistently connects … Continue reading →

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A Toast to Dr. King and New Wineskins

Posted on January 19, 2023 by Bill Schmitt

A January 16 reflection from Michael McLoughlin in America magazine talked about the need for new wineskins that can hold new wine—in particular, the wine of change and redemption which Christ offers us in the New Testament. The piece pointed … Continue reading →

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Priest’s Word to the Wise: Love to Study, Study to Love

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Bill Schmitt

This book review first appeared in The Tablet, newspaper of the Brooklyn Diocese, on Dec. 3, 2022. “Theology” can be an off-putting, academic word. But a priest of the Diocese of Brooklyn has emerged on a mission to enrich Catholics’ … Continue reading →

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Game of Kings, King of Games

Posted on January 18, 2023 by Bill Schmitt

First published in “Phronesis in Pieces” at billschmitt.substack.com on Dec. 19, 2022. The world of political reporting groans with a desperate need for graduates of the Shelby Lyman School of Journalism. This is a problem because there is no Shelby … Continue reading →

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Illuminated by Gaslighting: The Word of the Year

Posted on November 30, 2022 by Bill Schmitt

This commentary was published first in my Substack publication, “Phronesis in Pieces”–found at billschmitt.substack.com. If you would like to see more of that twice-monthly mix of news, commentaries, and resources for the pursuit of virtuous wisdom, contact me at billgerards@gmail.com … Continue reading →

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The Abstract Arts, Framing Reality

Posted on October 29, 2022 by Bill Schmitt

Published 10/28/22 at billschmitt.substack.com, reprinted here with some modifications. Previously on Substack … We talked about the “Brights” as a movement of liberal atheists who introduced themselves in a New York Times commentary in 2003 and continued promoting their doctrines of illumination. Those ideas … Continue reading →

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The Foresight Saga

Posted on October 20, 2022 by Bill Schmitt

Published on 9/1/22 at billschmitt.substack.com. The prescient 1977 book Mediaworld, written by John M. Phelan, who taught my Broadcasting 101 course at Fordham, defined propaganda as “the control of behavior through the control of belief.” Phelan wrote, “The evil of propaganda is … Continue reading →

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Pope Francis Sees a World of Emergencies, Wants a World of Human Encounters

Posted on October 6, 2020 by Bill Schmitt

Bill discussed subjects related to this post on Catholic radio with program host Matt Swaim on October 6. Click on the archive here and advance to the 1 hour-17 min. mark. The encyclical sent forth to all the world by … Continue reading →

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Breaking News about Broken Politics

Posted on July 30, 2020 by Bill Schmitt

“Frontline” episode (July 28, 2020): “United States of Conspiracy”   It’s jarring enough to discover at any time  the bombastic theatrics of Alex Jones, whom Wikipedia describes as “an American far-right radio show host, political extremist, and conspiracy theorist.” But it’s … Continue reading →

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All the News About What’s Not Fit to Print

Posted on July 17, 2020 by Bill Schmitt

This 2019 video shows Bari Weiss, who resigned  from New York Times in mid-July, 2020. The open letter of resignation posted by New York Times opinion writer and editor Bari Weiss on her website this week reminds us that journalism … Continue reading →

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