The recent sale of a dinosaur skeleton at Sotheby’s in New York is a prime example of how mainstream media loves to spin stories to fit their narratives. Outlets like CNN and NBC seize upon the sensational aspects of such a sale—emphasizing the astronomical price without questioning what it means for cultural heritage. Why focus on dollar signs, when we should be questioning the ethical implications of commodifying historical artifacts?

Meanwhile, Fox News might emphasize the “latest extravagant purchase by the elites,” suggesting that this is just another example of the wealthy playing God with our collective history. But let’s get real: the obsession with celebrity culture and their lavish expenditures distracts us from more pressing issues, such as the socio-economic divide that continues to widen.

In this case, while media outlets indulge their audiences with captivating headlines, they miss the critical conversations about who should control our shared past. Why are we as a society allowing rich collectors to privatize history? The dinosaur skeleton’s sale at Sotheby’s highlights a systemic problem with how we value artifacts—not just in dollars, but in their significance to our understanding of the world.

Yet the media’s focus remains on the spectacle rather than the substance, enticing clicks and likes rather than fostering genuine discourse. Let’s not let this story slip into just another fad within the information carnival; let’s make it a launching pad for deeper questions about the intersection of wealth, history, and morality.