Shocking: Pique Newsmagazine

Opinion: Filling big shoes – Pique Newsmagazine

When the now-retired longtime Pique columnist G.D. Maxwell was talking about hanging it up a few years ago, I entertained the idea of being his successor—for about five minutes. The idea of having a weekly backpage to rant, rave, cajole and generally get under the skin of readers and critics alike was an exciting proposition, but one I knew would most likely fail. Not because I can’t do those things. It just wouldn’t have that same G.D. Maxwell panache. That’s the problem with standing on the shoulders of giants: You’re always going to be compared and contrasted, never quite measuring up to the real deal.

Many readers didn’t read the backpage of Pique because it was Pique (not necessarily, anyway). They read it because it was Max writing those words, and as my colleague Brandon Barrett put it last week, that no-bullshit style gave voice to Whistler’s Everyman. When Max’s talk of retirement got more real, I remember bringing it up with my editor and friend Braden Dupuis on what could follow. “No one can fill those shoes,” I said. “The diehard fans of Max won’t accept whoever tries to follow him. The readers will tear them apart in the letters and comments.”

Wanting to offer a solution to the glaringly obvious problem, I looked at how other entertainment mediums had handled it. When Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek passed away in 2020, they gave all sorts of celebrities a chance at guest hosting before they settled on The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik and eventually game-show veteran Ken Jennings. Another example was the late-night comedy institution The Daily Show tackling the sudden departure of host Trevor Noah. Instead of scrambling to hire a proven comedian and praying it lands with the audience, they used a roster of rotating guest hosts including Sarah Silverman, Hasan Minhaj and Chelsea Handler and later looking to the existing Daily Show team of Desi Lydic, Ronny Chieng, Michael Kosta and Jordan Klepper. While none quite had the gravitas of Noah, the approach worked.

The showrunners even convinced Jon Stewart to come back to host on Monday nights for the lead-up to the 2024 American presidential election, a weekly appearance he’ll continue to make through 2025. So here we are. A rotating roster of writers on the backpage doing our best to fill the biggest writing shoes in Whistler’s history. Wish us luck. For better or worse, mountain towns have a tendency to lionize their local achievers. Photographers were always chasing the success of the Paul Morrisons, the Blake Jorgensons and later, the Reuben Krabbes. Skiers looked to the pioneering backcountry successes of Eric Pehota and Trevor Petersen, with the next generation following the exploits of their sons Logan Pehota and Kye Petersen. I’m sure the Whistler realtors have their local heroes, too, perhaps judged by who can break the most consecutive sales records and buy the most ostentatious full-page ad in this humble publication.

There’s nothing wrong with drawing inspiration from your heroes, but as we age, we run the risk of measuring ourselves against others who’ve been more successful, whether it’s financially, athletically, with business, gaining more influence or any other socioeconomic yardstick. We pine for housing we can call our own with a garage where we can store our toys. We need better jobs with better pay and more vacation days to keep up with the extravagant experiences beyond weekend recreation. You don’t have to look far to see there’s big shoes all around us. But all this is a matter of perspective. Most of us migrated to the Sea to Sky to live the dream of endless mountain recreation, and most of us still have that relative luxury. It hits different from the carefree years of our 20s and even 30s, when money and responsibilities didn’t matter (not nearly as much, anyway). We’re now in the part of life where a comfortable retirement isn’t a futurist concept anymore. It requires hard work and dedication.

The Proliferation of Opinion: A Threat to Social Harmony

The Rise of Opinion Pieces: A Double-Edged Sword

The proliferation of opinion pieces has arguably had a significant impact on social discourse. On one hand, opinion pieces can provide a platform for marginalized voices to be heard and for different perspectives to be shared. They can also spark debate and encourage critical thinking. On the other hand, the rise of opinion pieces has led to the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in institutions. Legacy media outlets, in particular, have relied heavily on opinion pieces to fill gaps in their coverage, which can lead to a lack of objectivity and balance.

The benefits of opinion pieces are undeniable. They can provide a space for writers to share their thoughts and opinions on important issues, which can help to raise awareness and spark discussion. However, the drawbacks of opinion pieces cannot be ignored. The spread of misinformation through opinion pieces can have serious consequences, particularly in the age of social media. When opinions are presented as facts, it can lead to the dissemination of false information, which can be damaging to individuals and communities.

The impact of opinion pieces on legacy media and the public’s perception of truth is also significant. In an era where the “fake news” label is thrown around with impunity, the proliferation of opinion pieces can make it difficult for readers to discern fact from fiction. The lack of objectivity and balance in opinion pieces can contribute to the erosion of trust in institutions and the media.

The Role of Social Media in Amplifying Opinion

The Power of Social Media to Spread Ideas and Influence Public Opinion

Social media has revolutionized the way we consume and interact with information. It has created new platforms for writers to share their opinions and ideas, and for audiences to engage with content. Social media has also enabled the rapid dissemination of information, allowing ideas to spread quickly and reach a wide audience. However, this has also led to the spread of misinformation and the erosion of civil discourse.

The dangers of social media are well-documented. The spread of misinformation can have serious consequences, particularly in the age of social media. When opinions are presented as facts, it can lead to the dissemination of false information, which can be damaging to individuals and communities. Social media has also been criticized for its role in amplifying hate speech and promoting divisive rhetoric.

Despite these challenges, social media remains an important tool for writers and thinkers to share their ideas and engage with audiences. However, it is essential to approach social media with caution and critical thinking. By being mindful of the information we consume and the platforms we use, we can reduce the spread of misinformation and promote more civil discourse.

A Call to Rethink Our Approach to Public Discourse

The Value of Facts: A Reflection on the Importance of Accuracy and Truth

Facts are the foundation of public discourse. They provide the basis for informed decision-making and help to build trust in institutions and the media. However, the value of facts is often overlooked in favor of opinion and personal opinion. The spread of misinformation through opinion pieces and social media has eroded trust in institutions and the media, and has contributed to the erosion of civil discourse.

The cost of facts is evident in the time, effort, and expertise required to verify information. Facts are not always easy to come by, and the process of verification can be time-consuming and labor-intensive. However, the benefits of facts far outweigh the costs. Facts provide the basis for informed decision-making and help to build trust in institutions and the media.

The benefits of facts are undeniable. They provide the basis for informed decision-making and help to build trust in institutions and the media. However, the value of facts is often overlooked in favor of opinion and personal opinion. It is essential to recognize the importance of facts and to prioritize accuracy and truth in public discourse.

The Importance of Silence: A Reflection on the Value of Holding Back

The Benefits of Silence: Reducing Conflict, Encouraging Reflection, and Fostering Empathy

Silence is a powerful tool in public discourse. It allows us to reflect on our thoughts and opinions, and to consider different perspectives. Silence can also help to reduce conflict and promote empathy. When we speak without considering the impact of our words, we can inadvertently cause harm and damage relationships.

The dangers of unsolicited opinion are well-documented. The spread of misinformation and the erosion of civil discourse are two significant concerns. Unsolicited opinion can lead to the dissemination of false information, which can be damaging to individuals and communities.

Despite the challenges, silence remains an essential component of public discourse. It allows us to reflect on our thoughts and opinions, and to consider different perspectives. By prioritizing silence and taking the time to reflect on our thoughts and opinions, we can promote more civil discourse and reduce conflict.

A Personal Reflection: The Need for Humility and Self-Awareness

As writers and thinkers, we have a responsibility to be mindful of our own biases and assumptions. We must be aware of our own limitations and take the time to consider different perspectives. By doing so, we can promote more civil discourse and reduce conflict.

The importance of humility and self-awareness cannot be overstated. When we approach public discourse with humility and self-awareness, we can reduce the spread of misinformation and promote more informed decision-making.

By prioritizing humility and self-awareness, we can create a more civil and respectful public discourse. We must recognize the value of facts and the importance of accuracy and truth. We must also be mindful of our own biases and assumptions, and take the time to consider different perspectives.