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.
Celebrating the life of John Lewis is easy. Just reading quotes attributed to him give you an indication why you should celebrate John Lewis. I’ll leave it at that.
Once again the rightous, racist, rich Republicans show that they have absolutely no sense of humor. Money talks way too loudly. CBS listened to the money and fired Stephen Colbert.
Congress handing the keys to the kingdom over to Trump. More than likely Trump’s mental capacity expands no further than remembering his own name. It kind of smacks of conspiracy don’t you think?
Speaking of conspiracy, look no further than the United States Supreme court. They’ve gutted the Voting Rights Act, designated corporations as citizens to allow for limitless contributions to politial campaigns under the guise of free speech. Oh yeah, and then there was the ruling on presidential immunity. The shadow docket of ’24-’25 reads like a Heritage Foundation Wish List.
And while we’re on the subject of conspiracy, how is the love affair going between the President and Silicon Valley? Caution, it might not be quite the way you think it is.
Since conspiracy seems to be on my mind this week, how the religious right in this double jeopardy of a presidential term? How did they feel in April? How do they feel now?
What about the budget? This is a moving target as far as public opinion is concerned.
“They” say that that the two things that never change are death and taxes. I’m going to add a third. Congressional Republicans will give the Trump Cabal whatever they want. They are bought and paid for many times over. I hope that each Republican Congressional family understands the legacy that their family members have left behind for the country. Who is going to write the history?
On the Bright side.
There is a bright side isn’t there? Of course there is. It’s just taking me a little time to come up with brightness. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, merely that I don’t have the mental acuity channel the sunshine. Somewhere out there is a bright side. There always is. Wait, music is always a bright side.
Here’s a little brightness from me and You Tube. Try listening to this.
Take care.