why?

What am i trying to do? And why am i doing this?

This project is an experiment. Some of my goals have evolved over time, and some have remained consistent.

I have always been intrigued by the 'obvious' conflict between claimed objectivity and our subjective human nature.

We are subjective beings, and we know this, and we can identify our own subjectivity. And we are also prone to subjective choices that we do not notice. And we also know that we are prone to this.

So how can any of us claim objectivity? And how can any of us accept a claim of objectivity from someone else? And how can any of us accept a fact from an 'objective' source without recognizing the inherent subjectivity that actually surrounds it?

I am operating under the hypothesis that we gain information through media that may seek to influence us through manipulation.

As I began to generate data around my hypothesis, I was initially surprised at how many 'hits' I was getting - how much manipulation my tools were highlighting. It may be that manipulation is so prevalent, and our tools for identifying and navigating this manipulation are so poor, that the problem has simply grown unchecked and is now massive.

My primary goal is to identify and quantify manipulation in media, and to present the data generated in a format that straightforward and clear. Results should be easy to consume in a visual snapshot view, and also backed up by extensive data, which is all available at a click for the user to see.

This application is currently in beta, but the results are available for the public to view and comment on.