> What degree of practical responsibility does a person in Brazil have for something bad happening to someone in Sierra Leone?
That's a great example. The hypothetical Brazilian could vote for a politician that does not promote burning the rainforest [1], which contributes to the negative effects of climate change on the people of Sierra Leone [2]
I see these discussions play out all the time: one person says "my life is better since I stopped paying attention to mainstream news"; others indignantly respond with things like "how privileged you must be to not have to care what's going on in the world", and "how will you be able to make good decisions on who to vote for?".
This line of argument conveniently sidesteps the question of whether mainstream news is the best way to find out what is going on in the world or learn about electoral candidates.
It can be reasonably argued that allowing one's self to be influenced (or, manipulated) by mainstream news is likely more of a hindrance than a help in making good decisions or taking meaningful action to improve the world or support/elect good candidates.
By avoiding the day-to-day barrage, one is better able to focus their attention and energy on things that are important and impactful.
There are plenty of ways to learn about what is going on in the world and find out about electoral candidates, outside the corporate media circus.
That's a great example. The hypothetical Brazilian could vote for a politician that does not promote burning the rainforest [1], which contributes to the negative effects of climate change on the people of Sierra Leone [2]
[1] https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-49450925
[2] https://www.sl.undp.org/content/sierraleone/en/home/presscen...