Antarctic Anticipation

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

Five or so weeks ago, I was invited to hop on a boat in Argentina and cruise to the Antarctic to view a full solar eclipse, see thousands of penguins and other wildlife, learn more about the explorers of this unique, fascinating and endangered continent and see ice, lots and lots and lots of ice.

Preparation and anticipation have been exhilarating. I’ll admit a little stressful at times, given concerns with COVID-19 and the understandably strict protocols of two governments, a tour company and a cruise company to make the trip happen in a safe virus free environment. I cleared the first hurdle with two Negative COVID tests here in San Jose.

I would be remiss if I waited any longer to thank my benefactors and fellow science nerds, Ellen and Bob for giving me this opportunity to see a part of the world that I had previously only dreamed about ever seeing in person. Their generosity and thoughtfulness will always be remembered and payed forward. Thanks you guys.

All the reading about the trip and the destination, all the gathering and shopping for polar clothing, all the preparation and purchasing of photographic equipment, all the coordinating with Denise at Wilderness Travel, all the packing and unpacking, all the subtractions and additions to the luggage, the weight limits, all the anticipation.

The anticipation for the start of the trip will end today. Meredy will drive Bob and I to San Francisco to begin the adventure. From there, we continue on to Miami and then on to Buenos Aires where we’ll go through another round of COVID testing before flying to the southern tip of South America to board the Seaventure. That is, if all goes well in Buenos Aires.

I’ll be recording the trip in writing and photographs. The writing will be here in this space along with a few of the photos.

So, I invite you to share the next three weeks with me. I hope that I can share my experiences in a vivid and entertaining way. Come along for the ride!

Bruce