Message no. 874[Branch from no. 872] Posted by Thomas Culhane (1311520071) on
Dawn you are quite right -- with the explosion of information it becomes impossible for even the most highly ambitious and educated person to stay abreast of the news and filter out what is true from what is sheer propaganda and disinformation. It becomes a war of influence, and the richest companies and their "spin doctors" can influence public opinion through a barrage of confusing messages, half truths and even outright lies. One only has to watch the X-files to see how this can be done effectively. The truth is out there, but as you point out, it is hard for us to discover what it is, even if we can read.
For this reason I put my faith in the scientific method and empirical verification of sound theory. People can tell me certain things don't work or do work and I check with theory and experience to see if the claims are accurate. You are right, it is so much about all of us reading, it is knowing how to decipher the facts and figure out whether we are getting a snow job or not. We must teach and learn "critical thinking" and "media literacy".
Have you ever seen the film "Wag the Dog" with Robert De Niro and Dustin Hoffman? It is about how the media can be used to spin the truth. Take a look at it -- you will enjoy it! (You might also like the film Network with Faye Dunaway, where people get fed up with television and say "I'm sick and tired of the lies and I'm not going to take it anymore.")
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