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 drafted a post a couple of days ago. Usually I trust my streaming brain, but I took a pause on this one because my two analogies were drawn from WW ll and the tone, although not intended, just sounded too militaristic. We need to avoid that tone whenever possible. It’s always possible. So I avoided it.
And then I changed my mind. I’m publishing both of them.
_______________________________________
So instead I opted to wait for the next inspiration which came largely from a guest sermon this past Sunday from a Buddhist minister. The topic was compassionate action.
After Unitarian Universalism, the religious practice that I most closely identify with is Buddhism.
Buddhism is a religion without a creator God or a non-theistic religion. It’s core belie is that suffering exists in the world. The end of the cycle of death and rebirth (reincarnation) is achieving enlightenment or Nirvana. Nirvana is achieved by following the Eightfold Path of the Buddha..
I go to church, the Unitarian Universalist Church in particular, because it allows me to explore my religious beliefs through the examination of a variety of source traditions. So, unlike when I was a kid, I go to church to learn. I’m all ears.
My learning from this service was to have compassion for people who have different beliefs from mine AND to be a person of action.
Now, how to apply this learning to the current state of global affairs and domestic politics in the U.S.A. Any thoughts?
Stoicism has taught me to concern myself with things that I can control. My character, my emotions, my treatment of others. Unitarian Universalism has taught me the importance of listening. Buddhism is teaching me about action.
Where should my action in the world be focused and how can it be leveraged to do greater good? A friend sent me this video and it reinforced in me the idea that small actions can make a big impact.
Never underestimate what posting a yard sign, going to a demonstration, making a small financial contribution, reading or listening to trusted news sources or having conversations can do to bring about positive change in the world. Do what you can do.
It makes a difference.
On the Bright Side
There are voices of reason out there. In my last post I introduced Texas State Rep. James Talerico who is running for the U.S. Senate in 2026. He is a Christian in the truest sense. He is a man of God and a man of the people. Take a good look at him and listen to what he has to say. He seems to be a good man and a good human being with good intentions and he used to be a middle school teacher.
If you haven’t already listened to it, listen here to his extensive interview with Joe Rogan and get to know who he is.
And remember…
I posted the comments of Rep Talerico after the Charlie Kirk shooting. His comments were a reassuring example of empathy with what all of us on the ‘right’ were feeling which was profound grief. I am grateful that no further violence has occurred since the shooting. I remember the grieving of my mother after Jack and Bobby Kennedy’s killings. We may no longer have a common bond of shared grief any longer.