Why the Drama?

Oregon now has more people over 65 than under 18, and a recent article calls this a “looming demographic challenge.”

Looming, as in “ominous or worrying.” Challenge, as in “obstacles or difficulties that require … resources to overcome them.”

It’s a clear example of using emotional words to make a story seem dramatic. Fact: The population is aging. Sensationalism: This “striking” reversal has “enormous” implications, and our population is “racking up the years.”

Here’s what’s truly striking: None of the sources quoted in the article used these emotional words. All the drama came from the author.

C’mon, journalists. Check your ageism.

Photo by Samantha Weisburg on Unsplash