Rational Media, Alternative Media + Mainstream Agendas

One point about rational media that deserves particular attention is that they do not require only one standard type of rationality. I will save this point for a future date.

Today, I would like to entertain another issue: Alternatives.

This particular point is not about alternative rationalities, but rather the more general freedom of choice from a variety of alternatives. Whether or not a person is rational of type A (e.g. rationalising their point of view with A1, A2, A3, etc.) or rational type B (instead rationalising according to B1, B2, B3, etc.). they may both appreciate the freedom to choose from a diverse palette of products, services, etc. For example, people generally appreciate the freedom to chose among brands – for example they may have a favorite brand of beer, a favorite bicycle brand or a particular style of shoes from a particular brand name shoe designer.

Likewise, pupils in schools may very well be encouraged to analyse arguments from different points of view. In free and democratic societies, people are encouraged to vote for candidates from a wide range of choices across the political spectrum.

What about when we turn to search for information? Do we choose among a plethora of search engines? In the past week, how many different search engines do you remember using?