--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Whether that's questioning the dominant…" description: "\"Whether that's questioning the dominant opinion of the day, the conventional wisdom of the day, or whether it's questioning the policies that come out ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/ben-domenech-4128_conventional-wisdom_whether-that-s-questioning-the-dominant_2060350.jpg" --- # Whether that's questioning the dominant opinion of the… ![“Whether that's questioning the dominant opinion of the day, the conventional wisdom of the day, or whether it's questioning the policies that come out of Washington, or out of our government, generally, I think media's job is to look at it and say, "What's really going on here? What's the story…” quote by Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/ben-domenech-4128_conventional-wisdom_whether-that-s-questioning-the-dominant_2060350.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/ben-domenech-4128_conventional-wisdom_whether-that-s-questioning-the-dominant_2060350.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5a3/ben-domenech-4128_conventional-wisdom_whether-that-s-questioning-the-dominant_2060350.jpg) > “Whether that's questioning the dominant opinion of the day, the conventional wisdom of the day, or whether it's questioning the policies that come out of Washington, or out of our government, generally, I think media's job is to look at it and say, "What's really going on here? What's the story behind what you see?"” [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker sees the media's role as probing beneath surface narratives to uncover hidden motives and truths behind policies and public opinion. **In simple terms:** Media should dig deeper than headlines. Key Takeaway Ask critical questions about underlying stories. Themes media critical thinking politics Mood inquisitive analytical Type journalistic explanatory When to use this quote - news analysis - policy review - public debates - media literacy workshops Key Concepts journalism public discourse information literacy Questions to Reflect On - What stories are we missing? - Who benefits from the prevailing narrative? A Different Perspective Media bias can shape the questions asked, limiting insight. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Conventional wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional-wisdom/) [Generally Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generally-think-1406866/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Media Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/media-job-3927688/) [Opinion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion/) [Opinion Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/opinion-day-606638/) [Policy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/policy/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Questioning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/questioning/) [Questioning Policies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/questioning-policies-3927689/) [Think Media](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-media/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Roughly speaking, any man with energy and enthusiasm ought to be able to bring at least a dozen others round to his opinion in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleister-crowley/roughly-speaking-any-man-with-energy-and-enthusiasm-ought-to-be-able/) [Aleister Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleister-crowley/) > [Elton John's opinion turned the label's opinion around, all in a day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-white/elton-john-s-opinion-turned-the-label-s-opinion-around-all-in-a-day/) [Barry White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-white/) > [I was increasingly disappointed how people in the media do their job or, rather, don't do their job. They are not there for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-spicer/i-was-increasingly-disappointed-how-people-in-the-media-do-their-job/) [Sean Spicer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-spicer/) > [So for me, you can't control the media, you have to work with media to get your message out there and you just hope…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-goodes/so-for-me-you-can-t-control-the-media-you-have-to-work-with-media-to/) [Adam Goodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-goodes/) > [The media's job is to question a premise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-skaggs/the-media-s-job-is-to-question-a-premise/) [Joey Skaggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-skaggs/) > [The most silent people are generally those who think most highly of themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-most-silent-people-are-generally-those-who-think-most-highly-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I generally think if you do good things for people in the world, that comes back and you benefit from it over time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/i-generally-think-if-you-do-good-things-for-people-in-the-world-that/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) > [ I generally think the president \[Donald Trump\] should get his Cabinet picks, unless they're egregiously out of the range, either ethically or intellectually out… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-brooks/i-generally-think-the-president-donald-trump-should-get-his-cabinet/) [David Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-brooks/) > [I generally think that I should only speak by action and not by words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mukesh-ambani/i-generally-think-that-i-should-only-speak-by-action-and-not-by-words/) [Mukesh Ambani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mukesh-ambani/) > [Freethinkers are generally those who never think at all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurence-sterne/freethinkers-are-generally-those-who-never-think-at-all/) [Laurence Sterne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurence-sterne/) > [Generally, I think my work has so much influence because of its reasonableness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/generally-i-think-my-work-has-so-much-influence-because-of-its/) [Ludwig Mies van der Rohe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-mies-van-der-rohe/) > [People generally think that it is the world, the environment, external relationships, which stand in one's way, in the way of ones' good fortune...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soren-kierkegaard/people-generally-think-that-it-is-the-world-the-environment-external/) [Soren Kierkegaard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soren-kierkegaard/) > [I think the media argues all the time with itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/i-think-the-media-argues-all-the-time-with-itself/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [I first came to think about media and politics in the late 1960s, having observed some distortions up close, but since then I wouldn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-gitlin/i-first-came-to-think-about-media-and-politics-in-the-late-1960s/) [Todd Gitlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-gitlin/) > [I understand the power of words and ideas as I get older and as I become more responsible as a stand-up. I think the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/omid-djalili/i-understand-the-power-of-words-and-ideas-as-i-get-older-and-as-i/) [Omid Djalili](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/omid-djalili/) ## More by Ben Domenech > [In a healthy republic, there is a need for figures who understand that the presidency is not the be-all and end-all of the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/in-a-healthy-republic-there-is-a-need-for-figures-who-understand-that/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [Much of the media failed to anticipate the potential Trump represented as a disruptive populist force, understand why his supporters trusted him, or offer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/much-of-the-media-failed-to-anticipate-the-potential-trump/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [Engaging in a sycophantic way with any politician in the short term is tempting. It offers the lure of access and the promise of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/engaging-in-a-sycophantic-way-with-any-politician-in-the-short-term/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [When Barack Obama arrived in Washington, many in the media welcomed him with optimism as a historic figure focused on progressive change. But their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/when-barack-obama-arrived-in-washington-many-in-the-media-welcomed/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [I think what it really means is a recognition that Donald Trump has the potential to take over the Republican Party and change it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/i-think-what-it-really-means-is-a-recognition-that-donald-trump-has/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [Gawker thrived on embarrassment and shame, seeking to demolish not just celebrities or politicians but average random people whose sins it would expose for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/gawker-thrived-on-embarrassment-and-shame-seeking-to-demolish-not/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [And for those of us who have, you know, looked in sort of the established order of the political fray over the course of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/and-for-those-of-us-who-have-you-know-looked-in-sort-of-the/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [It used to be you could just write vaguely conservative things while running a Starbucks - now, you can't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/it-used-to-be-you-could-just-write-vaguely-conservative-things-while/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [It is unhealthy to live in an environment where every aspect of our culture requires a great sort, where creative talents are for some…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/it-is-unhealthy-to-live-in-an-environment-where-every-aspect-of-our/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [Writers who do great work must be coddled and encouraged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/writers-who-do-great-work-must-be-coddled-and-encouraged/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [I will not apologize ever, for any reason, for publishing the views of people who don't make a living in politics about why they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/i-will-not-apologize-ever-for-any-reason-for-publishing-the-views-of/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [The first time I watched 'The Magnificent Seven' on TV on a Sunday afternoon, I knew it was going to be a different kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/the-first-time-i-watched-the-magnificent-seven-on-tv-on-a-sunday/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [The government in Havana is best understood as a cross between violent left-wing radicals and organized crime.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/the-government-in-havana-is-best-understood-as-a-cross-between/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [We all consume Netflix and other streaming services in different ways. Sometimes, it's a movie you're really going to focus on; other times, it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/we-all-consume-netflix-and-other-streaming-services-in-different-ways/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) > [When I was much younger, my siblings and I would routinely tune in to watch 'Bill Nye the Science Guy' on PBS. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-domenech/when-i-was-much-younger-my-siblings-and-i-would-routinely-tune-in-to/) [Ben Domenech](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) [Explore all 115 Ben Domenech quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-domenech/) ## More Conventional wisdom quotes > [Whether you are buying a car or casting a ballot, choosing a job or planning a family, follow your moral compass. Don't let others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denis-hayes/whether-you-are-buying-a-car-or-casting-a-ballot-choosing-a-job-or/) [Denis Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denis-hayes/) > [Contrarian thinking at its best simply asks, Is this really true? It speaks up when the politically correct answer or the conventional wisdom doesn't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-osborne/contrarian-thinking-at-its-best-simply-asks-is-this-really-true-it/) [Larry Osborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-osborne/) > [“Ferguson also takes a swipe at the conventional wisdom surrounding aspects of World War I. “The key to the Allies’ victory was not an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-williams/ferguson-also-takes-a-swipe-at-the-conventional-wisdom-surrounding/) [Luke Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-williams/) > [What's different now is that while political leaders used to give talking points to talk radio, now talk-radio hosts are giving talking points to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-avlon/what-s-different-now-is-that-while-political-leaders-used-to-give/) [John Avlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-avlon/) > [“You have to remain critically vigilant.” Question every premise, challenge conventional wisdom, and never accept the truth of something merely because everyone else views…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-isaacson/you-have-to-remain-critically-vigilant-question-every-premise/) [Walter Isaacson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-isaacson/) > [“It is hard to find many better examples of values-first leadership than Ventura, California-based outdoor clothing company Patagonia. For more than 30 years, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-de-haaff/it-is-hard-to-find-many-better-examples-of-values-first-leadership/) [Brian de Haaff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-de-haaff/) > [Hurricane Katrina overwhelmed levees and exploded the conventional wisdom about a shared American prosperity, exposing a group of people so poor they didn't have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-eric-dyson/hurricane-katrina-overwhelmed-levees-and-exploded-the-conventional/) [Michael Eric Dyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-eric-dyson/) > [All conventional wisdom has an element of truth to it, but good design requires more than an element of truth - it requires an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-petroski/all-conventional-wisdom-has-an-element-of-truth-to-it-but-good-design/) [Henry Petroski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-petroski/) > [“If you're careful to listen to your instincts and question conventional wisdom, set priorities, and make thoughtful choices, eventually you will figure out how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arlene-dickinson/if-you-re-careful-to-listen-to-your-instincts-and-question/) [Arlene Dickinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arlene-dickinson/) > [Conventional wisdom on government's role in inequality often has it backwards. Tax reforms have resulted in a more progressive federal income tax; government transfer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/conventional-wisdom-on-government-s-role-in-inequality-often-has-it/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [The line that I am urging as today's conventional wisdom is not a denial of consciousness. It is often called, with more reason, arepudiation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willard-van-orman-quine/the-line-that-i-am-urging-as-today-s-conventional-wisdom-is-not-a/) [Willard Van Orman Quine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willard-van-orman-quine/) > [Conventional wisdom tells us we'll only be happier after a divorce if the marriage itself was a war zone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-gore/conventional-wisdom-tells-us-we-ll-only-be-happier-after-a-divorce-if/) [Ariel Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-gore/) > [“What is carved on rocks were away in time. What is told from mouth to mouth will live forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vietnamese/what-is-carved-on-rocks-were-away-in-time-what-is-told-from-mouth-to/) [Vietnamese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vietnamese/) > [Science is based on experiment, on a willingness to challenge old dogma, on an openness to see the universe as it really is. Accordingly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/science-is-based-on-experiment-on-a-willingness-to-challenge-old/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) > [“For all the tenure of humans on Earth, the night sky had been a companion and an inspiration. The stars were comforting. They seemed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-sagan/for-all-the-tenure-of-humans-on-earth-the-night-sky-had-been-a/) [Carl Sagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-sagan/) [Browse all 249 Conventional wisdom quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conventional-wisdom/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Whether that's questioning the dominant opinion of the day, the conventional wisdom of the day, or whether it's questioning the policies that come out of Washington, or out of our government, generally, I think media's job is to look at it and say, \"What's really going on here? 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