--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: One of our worst traits in journalism is…" description: "\"One of our worst traits in journalism is that when we have a narrative in our minds, we often plug in anecdotes that confirm it. Thus we managed to por..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/nicholas-kristof-6723_journalism_one-of-our-worst-traits-in-journalism-is_1703385.jpg" --- # One of our worst traits in journalism is that when we have… ![“One of our worst traits in journalism is that when we have a narrative in our minds, we often plug in anecdotes that confirm it. Thus we managed to portray President Gerald Ford, a first-rate athlete, as a klutz.” quote by Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/nicholas-kristof-6723_journalism_one-of-our-worst-traits-in-journalism-is_1703385.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/nicholas-kristof-6723_journalism_one-of-our-worst-traits-in-journalism-is_1703385.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/cb9/nicholas-kristof-6723_journalism_one-of-our-worst-traits-in-journalism-is_1703385.jpg) > “One of our worst traits in journalism is that when we have a narrative in our minds, we often plug in anecdotes that confirm it. Thus we managed to portray President Gerald Ford, a first-rate athlete, as a klutz.” [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He critiques journalists for confirming biases with selective anecdotes, using President Ford as an example. **In simple terms:** Journalists often cherry‑pick stories to fit pre‑existing narratives. Key Takeaway Seek balanced evidence over confirmation. Themes journalism bias storytelling Mood critical analytical Type journalistic explanatory When to use this quote - news reporting - political coverage - public perception Key Concepts confirmation bias media ethics Questions to Reflect On - How can reporters avoid narrative bias? - What checks ensure factual integrity? A Different Perspective Risk of misrepresenting facts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Athlete Klutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/athlete-klutz-1173761/) [Gerald ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gerald-ford/) [Journalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism/) [Journalism Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/journalism-narrative-1173760/) [Klutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/klutz/) [Narrative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/narrative/) [Portray President](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/portray-president-1173762/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Traits](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/traits/) [Worst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worst/) ## Related quotes > [I'm such a klutz!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sienna-miller/i-m-such-a-klutz/) [Sienna Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sienna-miller/) > [I'm a klutz, through and through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/finn-wittrock/i-m-a-klutz-through-and-through/) [Finn Wittrock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/finn-wittrock/) > [I'm very ditsy and a klutz. I've been known to walk on stage and fall over my dress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-simpson/i-m-very-ditsy-and-a-klutz-i-ve-been-known-to-walk-on-stage-and-fall/) [Jessica Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-simpson/) > [I'm just the biggest klutz. That's the problem. I don't get hurt doing cool things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-hough/i-m-just-the-biggest-klutz-that-s-the-problem-i-don-t-get-hurt-doing/) [Derek Hough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-hough/) > [I'm a professional klutz, anybody hiring?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monica/i-m-a-professional-klutz-anybody-hiring/) [Monica](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monica/) > [“Every single person is a fool, insane, a failure, or a bad person to at least ten people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/every-single-person-is-a-fool-insane-a-failure-or-a-bad-person-to-at/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“It sucks to be a klutz on land and a klutz in the water.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-banks/it-sucks-to-be-a-klutz-on-land-and-a-klutz-in-the-water/) [Anna Banks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-banks/) > [“Our Klutz clangs into Stop signs while riding a bike, and knocks over giant displays of expensive fine china. Despite being five foot nine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mindy-kaling/our-klutz-clangs-into-stop-signs-while-riding-a-bike-and-knocks-over/) [Mindy Kaling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mindy-kaling/) > [Frank Zhang: lumbering klutz, child of Mars, part-time pachyderm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/frank-zhang-lumbering-klutz-child-of-mars-part-time-pachyderm/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [I'm not mad, I just wish you weren't such a klutz; you make me give myself away worrying about you more than I should.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marie-davis/i-m-not-mad-i-just-wish-you-weren-t-such-a-klutz-you-make-me-give/) [Marie Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marie-davis/) > [The person I liked the best was Gerald R. Ford. He was the most decent man in politics I ever had any relationships with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/the-person-i-liked-the-best-was-gerald-r-ford-he-was-the-most-decent/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [ The presidents varied in the degree to which they cited the founders. Some, like JFK, LBJ, \[Richard\] Nixon, and \[Bill\] Clinton, cited them somewhat… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kengor/the-presidents-varied-in-the-degree-to-which-they-cited-the-founders/) [Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kengor/) > [Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/now-therefore-i-gerald-r-ford-president-of-the-united-states-pursuant/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In Gerald Ford, the man he was in public, he was also that man in private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/in-gerald-ford-the-man-he-was-in-public-he-was-also-that-man-in/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) > [I had a lot of fun bantering back and forth with Kennedy. But for ease and comfort, it would be Gerald Ford. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-thomas/i-had-a-lot-of-fun-bantering-back-and-forth-with-kennedy-but-for-ease/) [Helen Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-thomas/) ## More by Nicholas Kristof > [I have a one-question language test that people who have lived abroad do better on than those who studied in a classroom. Try my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/i-have-a-one-question-language-test-that-people-who-have-lived-abroad/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [There's something to be said for CEOs' entering politics: In theory, they have management expertise and financial savvy. Then again, it didn't work so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/there-s-something-to-be-said-for-ceos-entering-politics-in-theory/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [A basic element of the American dream is equal access to education as the lubricant of social and economic mobility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/a-basic-element-of-the-american-dream-is-equal-access-to-education-as/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [Every high school and college graduate in America should, I think, have some familiarity with statistics, economics and a foreign language such as Spanish.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/every-high-school-and-college-graduate-in-america-should-i-think-have/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [However imperfectly, subsidies for the poor do actually reduce hunger, ease suffering and create opportunity, while subsidies for the rich result in more private…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/however-imperfectly-subsidies-for-the-poor-do-actually-reduce-hunger/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [One of the aims of higher education is to broaden perspectives, and what better way than by a home stay in a really different…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/one-of-the-aims-of-higher-education-is-to-broaden-perspectives-and/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [I suspect unconscious bias has been far more of a factor for President Obama than overt racism and will also be a challenge for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/i-suspect-unconscious-bias-has-been-far-more-of-a-factor-for/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [Utah may well be the most cosmopolitan state in America. Vast numbers of young Mormons - increasingly women as well as men - spend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/utah-may-well-be-the-most-cosmopolitan-state-in-america-vast-numbers/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [Most of the time in the 21st century, we dominate our surroundings: We tweak the thermostat, and the temperature falls one degree. We push…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/most-of-the-time-in-the-21st-century-we-dominate-our-surroundings-we/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [My take is that the optimal approach to food, for health and ethical reasons, may be vegetarianism.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/my-take-is-that-the-optimal-approach-to-food-for-health-and-ethical/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [Our world is enriched when coders and marketers dazzle us with smartphones and tablets, but, by themselves, they are just slabs. It is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/our-world-is-enriched-when-coders-and-marketers-dazzle-us-with/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [One of the most crucial kinds of intervention is in advocacy. We can think about charities in the context of delivering services, and indeed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/one-of-the-most-crucial-kinds-of-intervention-is-in-advocacy-we-can/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [There are very few things I've done just twice in my life, 40 years apart, and one is to backpack on the Pacific Crest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/there-are-very-few-things-i-ve-done-just-twice-in-my-life-40-years/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [We journalists are a bit like vultures, feasting on war, scandal and disaster. Turn on the news, and you see Syrian refugees, Volkswagen corruption,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/we-journalists-are-a-bit-like-vultures-feasting-on-war-scandal-and/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) > [Gays and lesbians began to gain civil rights when Americans realized that their brothers, cousins, daughters were gay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicholas-kristof/gays-and-lesbians-began-to-gain-civil-rights-when-americans-realized/) [Nicholas Kristof](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) [Explore all 98 Nicholas Kristof quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicholas-kristof/) ## More Gerald ford quotes > [In Gerald Ford, the man he was in public, he was also that man in private.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-brokaw/in-gerald-ford-the-man-he-was-in-public-he-was-also-that-man-in/) [Tom Brokaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-brokaw/) > [Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/now-therefore-i-gerald-r-ford-president-of-the-united-states-pursuant/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [ The presidents varied in the degree to which they cited the founders. Some, like JFK, LBJ, \[Richard\] Nixon, and \[Bill\] Clinton, cited them somewhat… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-kengor/the-presidents-varied-in-the-degree-to-which-they-cited-the-founders/) [Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-kengor/) > [The person I liked the best was Gerald R. Ford. He was the most decent man in politics I ever had any relationships with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-greenspan/the-person-i-liked-the-best-was-gerald-r-ford-he-was-the-most-decent/) [Alan Greenspan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-greenspan/) > [I had a lot of fun bantering back and forth with Kennedy. But for ease and comfort, it would be Gerald Ford. He was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-thomas/i-had-a-lot-of-fun-bantering-back-and-forth-with-kennedy-but-for-ease/) [Helen Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-thomas/) > [I'm concerned about the negative aspect of political campaigning in american nation, which is a new phenomenon. When I ran for president against Gerald…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/i-m-concerned-about-the-negative-aspect-of-political-campaigning-in/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [ “He’s \[Gerald Ford\] a nice guy but he played too much football with his helmet off.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lyndon-b-johnson/he-s-gerald-ford-a-nice-guy-but-he-played-too-much-football-with-his/) [Lyndon B. Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lyndon-b-johnson/) > [I met Gerald Ford. I met Richard Nixon. I met Jimmy Carter. I met Dwight Eisenhower when he was a general. George Bush senior.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-rose/i-met-gerald-ford-i-met-richard-nixon-i-met-jimmy-carter-i-met-dwight/) [Pete Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-rose/) > [My telephone calls and meetings and decisions were now parts of a prescribed ritual aimed at making peace with the past; his calls, his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-m-nixon/my-telephone-calls-and-meetings-and-decisions-were-now-parts-of-a/) [Richard M. Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-m-nixon/) > [In the last 100 years only Presidents George H.W. Bush, Jimmy Carter and Gerald Ford lost their bids for reelection. President Lyndon Johnson did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juan-williams/in-the-last-100-years-only-presidents-george-h-w-bush-jimmy-carter/) [Juan Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juan-williams/) > [ We want accountability. We just buried a president \[President Gerald Ford\] who did not hold another president \[President Nixon\] accountable for war crimes and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cindy-sheehan/we-want-accountability-we-just-buried-a-president-president-gerald/) [Cindy Sheehan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cindy-sheehan/) > [US President Gerald Ford's golf was so bad we thought he was a 'Hitman for the PGA!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-hope/us-president-gerald-ford-s-golf-was-so-bad-we-thought-he-was-a-hitman/) [Bob Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-hope/) > [I don't remember a big fight between the Republicans and Democrats in the Nixon administration or President Gerald Ford and so on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-udall/i-don-t-remember-a-big-fight-between-the-republicans-and-democrats-in/) [Stewart Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-udall/) > [ I went to my first national convention in 1976, when my family supported \[Ronald\] Reagan over \[Gerald\] Ford, so we've always been Republicans, but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rand-paul/i-went-to-my-first-national-convention-in-1976-when-my-family/) [Rand Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rand-paul/) > [ I was born in 1970 and I got to see a little bit of \[Richard\] Nixon's attempts at redefining himself. I saw \[Gerald\] Ford. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-mandel/i-was-born-in-1970-and-i-got-to-see-a-little-bit-of-richard-nixon-s/) [David Mandel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-mandel/) [Browse all 35 Gerald ford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gerald-ford/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "One of our worst traits in journalism is that when we have a narrative in our minds, we often plug in anecdotes that confirm it. 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