So, as the twenty first
century dawned on us - ready, or not - it became clear that, with twenty
four hour news cycles, instant communication, social networks, mobile
phones, and tablets, we were truly living in the information age; where
anything that happened, was happening, or was about to happen could and
would be known right there and then by anyone, anywhere. But even if the
information comes at you faster, and from more sources, one thing has
always remained true...
Chuckism #35
3 out of 4 statistics are some kind of ratio; 25% are not. Best mind the clever tongue that knows this.
Today we are practically bombarded by news, information, reality shows... which are the farthest on TV from reality (How's that for ironic?)... celebrity hype rumor mills, and more kinds of fandom then was even in my early day, or we could even ever hope to dream of. Politicians earn the rights to an Oscar as much as any Hollywood star. And experts come in waves arguing this or that; from gods and commandments to dooms days and killer asteroids. This is no longer the age where our folks sat down with the trusty paper, or the days when CNN was going to revolutionize how we saw and understood the world.
Today's news and information comes tailored and flavored to fit not only its intended audience, but also its media masters; corporate sponsors and vetted interests from special lobbys, to name a few. Spin is the new power; as credit replaced the gold standard, as information replaced equity. In my own life I have actually witnessed, in American history, the redacting and rewriting of American history immediately touted as always true and blue.Sound medical practices became demonized to the point that forgotten afflictions have seen resurgence in western societies. Education, educators, and the value of both have become marginalized to the point where, for us Americans, we now live at a level of knowledge that can best be described as "meh" when compared to other developed nations. Scientific inquiry and evidence is thrown out in favor of colloquial "common sense".
The question becomes not so much "how did this happen" as "how did people let this happen?". In an age where you can learn nearly anything you want how are people coming to the oddest of conclusions?
Because there are folks out there just really good at making facts and evidence lie.
This isn't really a new thing, mind you. Have a good laugh at some of the dirty politics played in American elections during the nineteenth century. Seriously. Lobbys do it. Investment firms nearly bankrupted the country doing it. Even hand sanitizers do it. A scientist did it; going to bat for a commercial pharmaceutical he consulted for, doctoring his research findings to convince the world that vaccines caused autism.
To be a well informed, critical thinker, and participate in today's world with some measure of responsibility you have to take precautions. You can't get your news from just one source. If an expert is brought in, you need to scrutinize not only his credentials, but his connections. Was there a study? Well, who sponsored it? A media group isn't reporting a story, or so wildly different from everyone else? Who are their sponsors?
Wagging the dog is the art of any accomplished tail, for sure. To make sure you come down on the right side of things, it's important to arm yourself with facts and insight. To make sure you don't get played, it's important to be a critical thinker. To be righteous in deeds and mighty in action, you must first have a clear lay of the land. And to do that, you must be mindful of those who would obscure that view from you.
*Image credit: Fingers Crossed by Charlotte McKnight
Chuckism #35
3 out of 4 statistics are some kind of ratio; 25% are not. Best mind the clever tongue that knows this.
Today we are practically bombarded by news, information, reality shows... which are the farthest on TV from reality (How's that for ironic?)... celebrity hype rumor mills, and more kinds of fandom then was even in my early day, or we could even ever hope to dream of. Politicians earn the rights to an Oscar as much as any Hollywood star. And experts come in waves arguing this or that; from gods and commandments to dooms days and killer asteroids. This is no longer the age where our folks sat down with the trusty paper, or the days when CNN was going to revolutionize how we saw and understood the world.
Today's news and information comes tailored and flavored to fit not only its intended audience, but also its media masters; corporate sponsors and vetted interests from special lobbys, to name a few. Spin is the new power; as credit replaced the gold standard, as information replaced equity. In my own life I have actually witnessed, in American history, the redacting and rewriting of American history immediately touted as always true and blue.Sound medical practices became demonized to the point that forgotten afflictions have seen resurgence in western societies. Education, educators, and the value of both have become marginalized to the point where, for us Americans, we now live at a level of knowledge that can best be described as "meh" when compared to other developed nations. Scientific inquiry and evidence is thrown out in favor of colloquial "common sense".
The question becomes not so much "how did this happen" as "how did people let this happen?". In an age where you can learn nearly anything you want how are people coming to the oddest of conclusions?
Because there are folks out there just really good at making facts and evidence lie.
This isn't really a new thing, mind you. Have a good laugh at some of the dirty politics played in American elections during the nineteenth century. Seriously. Lobbys do it. Investment firms nearly bankrupted the country doing it. Even hand sanitizers do it. A scientist did it; going to bat for a commercial pharmaceutical he consulted for, doctoring his research findings to convince the world that vaccines caused autism.
To be a well informed, critical thinker, and participate in today's world with some measure of responsibility you have to take precautions. You can't get your news from just one source. If an expert is brought in, you need to scrutinize not only his credentials, but his connections. Was there a study? Well, who sponsored it? A media group isn't reporting a story, or so wildly different from everyone else? Who are their sponsors?
Wagging the dog is the art of any accomplished tail, for sure. To make sure you come down on the right side of things, it's important to arm yourself with facts and insight. To make sure you don't get played, it's important to be a critical thinker. To be righteous in deeds and mighty in action, you must first have a clear lay of the land. And to do that, you must be mindful of those who would obscure that view from you.
*Image credit: Fingers Crossed by Charlotte McKnight
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