Potentially controversial take on this NWS/Max Velocity controversy

Max Velocity and Ryan Hall are highlighting NWS shortcomings specifically because a lack of trust in the NWS serves them. Do I think they want people to completely ignore warnings? No, they want people informed—but by them. Eroding trust in the NWS plays exactly into their long-term hopes and dreams.

The dissemination of weather information has become less about public safety and more about news media entertainment.

Notice what has happened to news media entertainment in the past few decades. Audiences have fragmented substantially over the last 30 years. The power of authority and trust used to fall with big newspapers, PBS, NPR etc. But now, in an environment where anyone can be an influencer, anyone can make content, there is no longer a central source or few sources of truth.

People get their news now from whatever podcaster or influencer tells them what they want to hear in the flashiest, most colorful way.

Newsrooms are practically dead now, PBS was gutted by Trump, public radio is a shell of its former self. You know who people are going to? Influencers. Content creators. Podcasts. Weather media is headed down the same road, and plans laid out in Project 2025 to explore replacing NWS services with private groups like Accuweather, etc. only serve to expedite it.

Weather media is inevitably going to gravitate toward this direction. Ryan and Max know this, and don’t care in the short term if that process means harming the institutions that keep people safe if it means they’re the ones standing on top by the end of it all.

It’s not the NWS fault, their purpose was never to entertain, but I hope there’s a dedicated team being thoughtful about how the service engages audiences and the creators speaking to its many audiences…for its own good.