Evaluation of New York Times Stories

In this post, I'll analyze two New York Times stories. The first concerns musician B.O.B.'s claims that the earth is flat, and the second concerns a provision on a potential bill that supports Israeli settlements in the West Bank.

Let's look at the B.O.B. conspiracy first.

1. Is there a protagonist?

Sort of. While B.O.B. is presented in a friendly light, it's hard to get behind a man denouncing five hundred years of common knowledge. Nonetheless, B.O.B. is the central character, stoically denying the world order conspiracy that the earth is round.


2. What is the setting?

The story unfolds via Twitter, where B.O.B. first posted his conclusion. Photos from specific locations and elevations reveal flat horizons, the basis of the argument. In the article, Twitter posts are used to guide the narrative, breaking up paragraph segments. Not only do we get posts from B.O.B., but famous physicist Neil deGrasse Tyson weighs in with responses. Which leads us to the next point...

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3. Is there a conflict?

Yes. After Tyson responded to B.O.B's tweets, the rapper released a "diss track" condemning Tyson. This sparked further Twitter dialogue between the two. For B.O.B., the motivation seems good-willed enough. He wishes to inform people of the lies they've been told. Truth is at stake. For Tyson, very little is at stake. As the one with the weight of popular opinion behind him, his comments are less forceful and instead resort to subtle shots at B.O.B.'s worldview. No pun intended.

Now let's take a look at the second article.

1. Is there a protagonist?

No. The story focuses on the Customs Bill (already passed through the House) rather than any individual. President Obama, however, is given considerable mention as one with the power to veto the bill. Ron Dermer, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., is portrayed negatively whereas a few organizations taking action against the empowerment of Israeli settlements in Palestine are championed.

2. What is the setting?

The article begins by painting a picture of Ambassador Dermer's Christmas present to the White House, a collection of products made in, ironically, U.S.-condemned Israeli settlements. This sets the stage for the discussion of the new U.S. bill, specifically pointing out the Oval Office's power to veto.

3. Is there a conflict?

Yes, but specific characters aren't emphasized. Rather, the conflict is presented as a struggle between  Israeli colonization and the Palestinian workers it affects. By framing the issue in this light, the U.S.'s compliance with the pro-Israeli provision is seen as an acquiescence to human rights violation.