https://newslit.org/ Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22 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
This writing is from a study of how my religious denomination is responding to the need for racial equity. The effort of Unitarian Universalism to address bias in their own hiring practices has exposed a systemic problem within our faith tradition on how we look at race and what we can do to try and fix it. What we are facing within our religious community is the same as the we are facing as a country. I am republishing this piece because I shared it this past Sunday at a Worship service designed to inform our congregation on what our denomination is doing to right it's wrongs.
Thanksgiving is still three months away, but I can’t wait to say thanks to all of you that are caregivers.
Thank you…
…if you drive for five hours to care for your cantankerous aunt that you don’t really like.
…if you take care of an elderly person in their home allowing them to be in their comfortable place and doing things for them that they can no longer do.
…if are caring for a spouse
…if you are a firefighter comforting a family that has just lost a home to a wildfire.
…for thanking that firefighter who has been away from their family for weeks and probably many more.
…convalescent home workers who have gotten vaccinated for COVID 19 so they can safely care for people recovering from surgery.
…to all law enforcement officials who risk personal safety so that democracy can work in a safe and secure manner.
…to all member of the military for their unending and under-appreciated contributions to maintaining democracy.
…doctors, nurses, lab technicians and all of the people that work to deliver the highest and best possible health care.
…journalists for helping us cut through the disinformation to form opinions based on facts.
…service workers for cooking and serving us food in restaurants as we slowly begin to get out and around again.
…grocery store employees who put themselves out there to provide us with the food and supplies that we need to keep us safe and healthy
…for emailing things that make us laugh
…to the kids who take care of their parents
…for making music from your individual homes and sharing the songs with us.
…for taking the time to write down your thoughts and share them. It helps.
…for adding to this list of caregivers and what they do.
Thanks, Bruce