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
Today started in humid subtropical Buenos Aires and 3.5 hours later we were in subpolar Ushuaia (Ursh-why-ah). I woke up at 5:05, a few minutes before my alarm to get packed, catch a bite of breakfast and be ready to board the bus for the airport to make it onto our charter flight to Ushuaia to meet out floating home for the next three weeks, the Seaventure.
This is a maiden voyage of sorts for the Seaventure. The ship that is now called the Seaventure has made numerous trips to the Antarctic and the Arctic, but not as the Seaventure.
The trip from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia had us experiencing temperatures in the mid 90s to the low 40s. I’m happy that I brought the warm clothing! It’s not likely to get any warmer than that. Ushuaia is the southern most city in the world and has a population of 100,000ish people. It’s name means “Bay to the West” in the tongue of native peoples.
It’s getting a little late (11:15), so my creativity is waning. So, if I get boring, stop reading and come back tomorrow.
I do have to say before I flake out that. One lecturer that I want to hear is our Astronomy leader, Alex Filipenko is one of UC Berkeley’s most popular teachers and now I know why.
I was up on the Helopad where you can get 365 degree views and Alex appeared after a few minutes and started walking, checking his phone, taking pictures of clouds, walked some more. A couple others were up there and the subject came up why are you walking around? I thought it had something to do with Astronomy. No, it was just Alex trying to keep his 10,000 step streak going. He started it in March of 2020 and has done it every day since whether on Terra Firma or on a ship headed for Antarctica.
We had a safety presentation and later on an evacuation drill on how to get to the lifeboats before dinner. And, we got the boots that we will be using for our landings and our very nice (and effective) outer shell jacket from Polar Latitudes. It was useful today and will be even more useful later in the trip.
We will be sailing to get to our into the Southern Ocean over the next three days and will cross the Antarctic Convergence where cold water flowing northward meet the relatively warmer (it’s not a hot-tub) waters of the sub-Antarctic. It’s where we will officially enter Antarctic waters.
We will stay in our meal pods for another two days after which we will be COVID tested for the final time (hopefully) at which point we will be cleared to remove our masks and eat with other members of the group.
It is a fascinating bunch of people. I talked to Frank at the airport in Buenos Aires. He has been a professional violinist. I had a conversation with Ralf, a retired naval officer and skydiver who showed me some of his helmet-cam photos of fellow skydivers. Scott was a Physics major who went on to MBA School and had a career with the World Bank.
I suspect that I will meet others with equally fascinating stories. There’s more, but I need to get some sleep. I may be a little late with this post because the ship wifi is down.
Bruce
Sounds great so far. Are you able to post pictures on this site? Also ask Ralf about his skydiving, sounds like he might have been a member of the ‘Leap Frogs’ ?
This is always the part of travel that annoys me. The short stops on the way to getting to where your going. It will be nice to get to your stateroom on the ship.
When we took a trip to Patagonia we had to get up at 4 am for our flight to Ushuaia! 5:05 sounds almost civilized in comparison.
I loved Ushuaia. I actually saw a llama spit in a man’s face there! I didn’t get to take the excursion to Antarctica. Enjoy it for me!
Celia,
Ushuaia is a unique wonderland in its own right. It is actually closer to Antarctica than it is to Buenos Aires!
Bruce