Robber barons, rebooted

Railway companies, banks and telcos have never topped popularity contests with the public.

That’s kind of what happens when you land in the robber baron class — when you don the hat of a tycoon whose pockets get ever deeper with every earnings report, when the bottom line always seems to trump the public interest or ethical considerations.

But what happens when you move far beyond the traditional robber-baron class to a level of wealth and power that exceeds all the wealth and power that the CNR, RBC and Rogers can collectively muster?

For reasons I can’t understand, we tend to celebrate their wealth and power, even if they make us poorer and increasingly powerless.

Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos and the rest of the tech tycoon class have become our modern-day heroes, influencers on a scale hitherto unimaginable.

While none is faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive or able to leap buildings in a single bound, there seems to be no kryptonite that can dim their unchecked corporate power, break through their immunity to regulation or weaken their monopolistic muscle.

I’m tempted to ask AI to explain the disconnect between the villains of our analogue past and the titans of our digital present, but I know better.

Instead, I will simply ask you to keep in mind that it’s National Newspaper Week, a time to celebrate those who have held the powerful to account since the earliest days of the robber barons — and who still stand guard against the forces of fake news, amplified by algorithms that prioritize engagement.

Protecting the truth will never be a priority for a Musk, a Zuckerberg or a Bezos. But it’s what newspapers like the Free Press have always done and always will – with your support.

And since I touched on heroes earlier, let’s not forget that Superman’s alter ego was a newspaper reporter.

Paul Samyn, Editor

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COMING UP

Puppeteer Ronnie Burkett’s Wonderful Joe kicks off Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre’s season at the Tom Hendry Warehouse on Thursday. Ben Waldman talks to the Alberta-born marionette master about what keeps him going at 68, five decades into his touring career.

Ronnie Burkett performing puppets from Wonderful Joe. (Ian Jackson photo)

All eyes will be on the reigning Presidents’ Trophy winners Thursday night at Canada Life Centre in a rematch of last season’s second-round Stanely Cup playoffs matchup. Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe bring all the hard-hitting action from the rink as the puck drops on the 15th season of the 2.0 Winnipeg Jets as they host the Dallas Stars.

They like Spam, a lot. Matt Masangkay and Megan Esguerra are the founders of Subi, a new food venture specializing in Spam musubi, a Hawaiian favourite that combines sushi rice, dried nori seaweed and, of course, the oft-mocked canned luncheon meat. Feature writer David Sanderson has their story.

Spam musubi, a Hawaiian favourite. (John Woods / Free Press)

In the heart of Bolivia, fish harvested from a pond is more than a source of daily sustenance. It’s a small-scale aquaculture venture that extends all the way to Manitoba. Melissa Martin reports on how the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation is assisting in creating unique economic opportunities for Bolivian women.

On Friday, Jen Zoratti explores Seeing, a new exhibition by Mennonite artist Victor Klassen, who creates canvases and sculptures using recycled items and materials. Klassen lives in Mexico but grew up in rural Manitoba; his ongoing show at the MHC Gallery is the first time he’s shown his work here.

With only three games remaining in the Blue and Gold’s regular season, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers clash against a desperate Edmonton Elks club on the road Saturday. Taylor Allen follows the storylines from the gridiron.

IN PICTURES

Swimmers hoping to get in one last dip at Birds Hill Park during last week's unseasonal heatwave found the lake empty. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

Swimmers hoping to get in one last dip at Birds Hill Park during last week’s unseasonal heatwave found the lake empty. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

The artificial lake at the provincial park is drained for maintenance annually after the summer recreation season. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press)

Why this ad?

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