Journalists try to communicate the facts that are important for their readers.
For an average reader, the most important fact about a person is whether they are considered high-status or low-status. Is it safe to mock them? Should I be afraid of them?
Here the journalist correctly informs their audience that Eliezer is harmless, and that it is perfectly safe to mock him. (He won’t sue you, won’t try to get you fired from your job, won’t try to ruin your company.)
I do not believe journalists are acting in the public interest by describing their subjects in a mockable way like this, even if it’s what readers want.
Journalists try to communicate the facts that are important for their readers.
For an average reader, the most important fact about a person is whether they are considered high-status or low-status. Is it safe to mock them? Should I be afraid of them?
Here the journalist correctly informs their audience that Eliezer is harmless, and that it is perfectly safe to mock him. (He won’t sue you, won’t try to get you fired from your job, won’t try to ruin your company.)
I do not believe journalists are acting in the public interest by describing their subjects in a mockable way like this, even if it’s what readers want.