Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22, 2021 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception: How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation." In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information. They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).
How to Debunk:
1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.
2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.
3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.
4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.
5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.
"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.
"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."
"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."
Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge
Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021
Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.
Update: McQuade, Barbara, "Attack From Within," 2024. New York Times best seller.
And boy am I ready to go!
Let’s start with Israeli Defense Forces sending in tanks and clearing more land in the West Bank. It sounds a little like Netanyahu, Trump and the GAPP (Greed and Power People) are using the Israeli military to clear land for their next big coastal resort project.
Then there’s Trump trying to extort Rare Earth Minerals from Ukraine claiming that they would be a repayment of the debt for monetary support of Ukraine in a war to drive the invading Russians out of the country. Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelensky says that a $500 Billion Trump offer is “off the table” in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron corrected President Trump (I have a real hard time writing that) at a joint news conference on the Third Anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. When Trump suggested that the European Union was not contributing its fair share to Ukraine, Macron reminded Trump that the EU has provided 60% of foreign aid to the Ukrainian government
Musk authority diminishing? Is Elon’s influence and bluster wearing off already? It seems that some agencies of the U.S, government are not listening to him. Yet another example of what happens when unrelenting over confidence collides with courage. Maybe “Just say no” actually does work!
We hosted a church pledge party this weekend and had a chance to reflect on the words of our guest minister at church. He gave an impassioned sermon on our individual and collective responsibilities during a time when our beliefs are not represented by those in charge of our governing bodies.
He emphasized that through our involvement with organizations like our church community, we are part of the resistance to the beliefs and ideas of the rich and powerful forces holding sway over our country.
I found the message inspiring, courageous and, most importantly, true.
A Haiku
You
Yo My Broze
Decide Elections
With Your Youthful Ignorant
Thrown Away
Vote
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Be well and resist.