Is AI killing critical thinking? Why trust and original reporting matter more than ever.

In this episode of Lede The Way, LedeWire’s founders, Morgan Ramsey, Parker Williams, and John Wise break down what’s actually happening inside today’s media ecosystem as AI-generated content floods the internet, trust in institutions collapses, and creators search for sustainable ways to get paid.

The conversation covers some of the biggest questions in journalism and the creator economy today:

Topics in this episode:
Why AI-generated “slop” now makes up more than half of online content
How algorithms homogenize our thinking, and why human originality still matters
The decline of trust in media and the cost of getting the facts wrong
Subscription fatigue and why readers want access, not lock-in
How micropayments can restore choice, trust, and sustainability in journalism
Why creators need storefronts, and what LedeWire is building next
The BBC/Trump lawsuit and the danger of losing credibility
Why video and podcasting may become the last refuge for authentic voices
How independent creators can reclaim control from algorithms
What a “consumer-centric internet” looks like and why the old model is breaking
The future of newsrooms, reporting, and the business of original thought

From the ethics of AI to the economics of content, this episode is a candid exploration of where media is headed , and what might save it.

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