Watching the video above about Jonah Lehrer-- the most recent Stephen Glass character in mainsteam media-- is fun after "Shattered Glass." Michael Moynihan, the reporter who got the scoop for Tablet Magazine, tells a story quite similar to the one that unravels in the film. Lehrer was a "The New Yorker" writer and author who Moynihan discovered had fabricated quotes atributed to and about Bob Dylan. It's facinating to hear the similarities between the two stories: the initial admission, the "I'll go check my notes" and the lies lies lies. There's more info and another video here.
What's really interesting about Lehrer is that he now has a book deal for more non-fiction, not just a Stephan Glass fiction book. I think it'd be good to have a conversation with your students about Lehrer to modernize the discussion around "Shattered Glass." In our discussion after the movie, we touched briefly on how things are harder to fabricate in the era of the Internet, but Lehrer is quite a counterpoint. I'd love to know what students think about the Lehrer case because, apparently, Simon & Schuster think he's worthy of a second chance. I wouldn't trust it. Would you?
Sarah-Anne Lanman
Munster High School
Munster, Ind.
You'd think that people would learn–but of course they won't.
ReplyDeleteIt's got to be getting harder to pull it off, though, now about fifteen years post-Glass. Imagine if he tried that stunt again here in 2013--setting up a website, fake email addresses, voicemail/phone accounts (maybe using Google Voice?), probably some fake social media accounts for the personalities.... Maybe it wouldn't be that hard, actually. Hmmm....
There are so many terrifying considerations in connection with the movie and individuals involved.
ReplyDeleteOn one hand, there is a great deal of focus on the perpetrator. He definitely screwed up, royally. While there were clues in hindsight copy editors and other coworkers should / could have noticed, when you are too close to the situation, anything is possible. It takes outsiders looking in to catch the "iffy" aspects.
On the other hand, I couldn't help but consider the angst and emotional damage inflicted on Glass' coworkers. Beyond betrayal, there would have been questions about how they could have possibly missed the signs. It's almost like a suicide. Glass destroyed his career, creating havoc in other individuals' lives.
This type of scenario would always play out poorly no matter the players.
Tere Froelich
SBHS
Sturgis, SD
I find it very interesting that these cases still keep happening. I realize the internet makes it easier to cheat, but it also makes it easier to get caught. I agree with you Tere, the editors do share a bit in the Glass case. They bought into his charm and in the end it probably hurt the careers of some of those folks too. I feel these "professional" who are cheating do not seem to be very contrite. It is almost as if they do not really believe they have done anything wrong.
ReplyDeleteLisa Shapiro
Northwest High School
Germantown, MD
Stephen Glass still has not passed the ethics portion of the bar in California, which goes to show how lasting these mistakes can be. Students need to be reminded to think in the long term when they are under these pressure scenarios.
ReplyDeleteDave Anderson
Christian Brothers High School
Sacramento, Calif.