Just a quick note on a couple of related terms I’ve run across recently and wanted to share. Both have to do with unmasking “alternative facts” and “fake news” and bogus claims by any red-blue-or-purple information source. Nobody likes to be lied to. These tools are available and perhaps should become required knowledge for journalists, politicians and voting citizens on both sides of the currently-expanding chasm of ideological division.
Agnatology
is a new course option in schools of journalism. It is the study of deliberate production of ignorance or doubt by building firewalls between industry money and university research and by preventing “superspreader” social media disinformation. What might have been the outcome if this doubt-busting force had been around when “9 out of 10 doctors who smoke recommend Luckies.”
Pre-bunking
is a term that of course is like DE-bunking but is declared BEFORE the fact-oid rather than closing the barn doors after twisted “truths” have left the building. Along the pattern of the medical model of care for our physical health, pre-bunking is concerned with prevention rather than cure. Debunks don’t entirely erase misinformation from our brains.
I am of the opinion that speed has become the enemy of truth. The media seem to be in such a hurry to be the first or exclusive source of breaking news or hot story. I oftentimes hear “X has not independent verified “ as an out for spreading miss information. What happened to due diligence and getting the facts first? The speed of light news cycle allows deception and abuse.
When there was only Edward R Murrow at 6 and the daily paper, the news cycle was not nearly so volatile, and the news was not "entertainment" but reportage, information was less of a commodity and more a sober and professional public service. Ah well...
I am of the opinion that speed has become the enemy of truth. The media seem to be in such a hurry to be the first or exclusive source of breaking news or hot story. I oftentimes hear “X has not independent verified “ as an out for spreading miss information. What happened to due diligence and getting the facts first? The speed of light news cycle allows deception and abuse.
When there was only Edward R Murrow at 6 and the daily paper, the news cycle was not nearly so volatile, and the news was not "entertainment" but reportage, information was less of a commodity and more a sober and professional public service. Ah well...