What is Real?

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

In these times when it is common to find some trying to sell you the idea that wrong is actually right, lies are truth and here isn’t really here, it’s over there, it’s hard to ask yourself the question “What is Real?” and come up with a reasonable answer for that question.

Let me take a stab at it.

When COVID hit and started shutting inside things down, the outdoors opened up. People saw the outdoors as a chance to break cabin fever and start living again. So it was for me. When I retired in July 2020 from a career as a Middle School Science teacher, it had been seven years since I last carried my food, shelter and clothing on my back into the wilderness. I didn’t think I’d ever do it again.

Thanks to my friend and former teaching /coaching colleague Kelvin, I re-entered the world of backpacking. The previous heyday of backpacking for me was when I was in college at Fresno State. My Dad taught me the basics and Dr. Don Morgan, one of my Geography professors at Fresno State, honed my knowledge and experience by leading three week long backpack trips to Mt. Whitney during my time as an active Bulldog student backpacker in a class called Mountain Environments.

Even with the best gear and the best attitude, there are times when you are hot, tired, thirsty and hungry. Sometimes at the same time.

The feeling of exhilaration (and relief) when you reach the top of a mountain pass. The feeling of sweat building on your forehead and sun reflecting off granite rock walls as you take slow and steady step at a time up a steep climb longing for the next switchback, the feeling of focused concentration going down a steep descent over irregular, pieces of granite scree knowing that the slightest misstep could mean a fall and moderate to severe injury.

The feeling of satisfaction when I arrived in camp for the evening. Thankfulness for having the energy to put up the tent, blow up the air mattress and lay out the down sleeping bag to get it fluffed up and ready for sleep. Gratefulness to Kelvin for his camp stove and fuel that provided us with hot meals and drink.

The indescribable sensation of the sound of silence. The brilliance of the pinkish. alpine glow reflecting off of shear, undisturbed granite rock faces. Feeling small, vulnerable and full of grace for the opportunity to be in this place.

Feeling of sensing the end of the hike back to the car. Almost there, but not quite.

These things are all real. Real to me. I experienced them. Are they real to you? Only if you trust me and believe that I am sincere and willing to tell you about my experiences with only the best of intentions of sharing my joy with you.

We can’t all have the same direct experiences. We can share in the experiences of each other. But first?

We have to trust each other.

In that spirit, here is a song that my church choir performed on Sunday, September 11, 2022.

___________________________________________________