"5 Percent Down, 7 Percent Up, Hike Hike!"

Hello friends!

With the endless stream of information that subtly invades our lives whether through BOLD NEWSPAPER headlines, consolidated news websites (or commuter papers like the Metro), a facebook or twitter status, or even through one-liners on tv tickers, it is quite normal to assume the content of a story by the headline.

Media outlets normally have a political agenda when it comes to reporting. We all know that certain outlets are more conservative or socialist than others, and the headlines and the reporting of stories normally reflect their views.

This past weekend there were 3 headlines that caught my eye:

1) Bystanders watch as man killed
2) Good Samaritan stabbed at Yorkdale mall

These first 2 are from the Toronto Star. The essence of the two stories are encapsulated in the headlines. I found it puzzling that the two headlines were allowed to co-exist in the same publication, given political agendas. Is The Star trying to encourage or discourage active citizenship here, or are they just reporting events without a biased agenda?

3) Venture capitalists invest less in first quarter

This third headline caught my eye as it was featured near the top of news.google.com. Venture Capitalists (VCs) are no longer investing in new business. Along with headlines of a the Mortgage Crisis, Pending Recession, oil war, oil prices, etc etc, the initial impression this headline perpetuates the global feeling of doom and gloom.

One might think that young companies with new and bright ideas would be struggling to find investors to help elevate their company to new heights. Upon further reading, the article confirms that the amount invested has gone down a drastic 5 percent when compared to the same period a year ago. It also states that the actual number of deals made were 922, compared to 861 from last quarter. They have actually increased a whopping 7 percent! I thought that this should be good news! More companies are being invested in!

Isn't this economic progress? Who wouldn't be pleased to get more for their money? Wouldn't you as an individual be happy to spend 5 percent less at your local mega-grocery store and get 7 percent more items?

What would the impact have been if the headline had read "Venture Capitalists Invest In More New Ideas"?

Click here to share your thoughts.

Aneez