How Much Information is Enough?

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.

I wrestle with this question. I am, by nature, an information geek. Translated that means I’m a news geek. Translated further that means I am a politics geek.

Information, factual information, is the basis for a healthy society. The emergence of right wing special interest disinformation (fake news) has complicated the fact finding process.

There are two factors behind this disinformation. The first is the intentional spreading of false and misleading information for political purposes. The second is the amplification of the first using technology. Social media and Artificial Intelligence spread the fake news to a large number of people creating an environment of doubt and distrust..

Once fake news is out there, it is very difficult to counter. Attorney Barb McQuade (Sisters-in-Law podcast) comprehensively addresses disinformation in her book “Attack From Within: How Disinformation is Sabotaging America.”

So, what is a self proclaimed news junkie to do to invest the time needed to be informed and to be confident that the information that you are getting is factual? Listen to McQuade discuss her thoughts on the subject.

My point is to not give up on the news. That’s what the rich and powerful right wing elites want you to do. Listen to McQuade, seek out electronic fact checkers like Snopes and stay in the game.

On the Bright Side…

Some signs awaiting the opportunity to use them: