Echo from central Ohio ~ Lies and lying: protect truth!
I am an American and I love my country. (But I am worried!)
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| Love of country should include advocating for truth and rejecting "fake news" |
Sadly, I am concerned about our country, however.
America is under attack. Our democratic institutions and rule of law is being weakened by a relentless attack of fake news and claims of fake news.
These are perilous times for America. Basic facts are questioned or worse simply ignored. Lying has become habitual and acceptable. Unethical behavior is explained away or disregarded. Even the Evangelicals who use to hold the standard for personal behavior high have capitulated. Dishonesty is rewarded, not condemned.
The guardian of democracy against the whims of tyrants, our free press, is under attack. Our judges and the closest thing we have to a national police, the FBI, are assailed almost daily. Congress can’t agree on much of anything. These vital elements of democracy are being weakened almost daily.
Yes, America has faced tough times before, but it’s different now due to the rise of social media. It has made it possible for anyone with a computer or cell phone to be a source of news or “facts.”
Therein lies the problem. Much of the “news” is fake news, news someone made up in the middle of the night under the influence of some ideology, belief, or desire for personal gain.
These are perilous times for America. Basic facts are questioned or worse simply ignored. Lying has become habitual and acceptable. Unethical behavior is explained away or disregarded. Even the Evangelicals who use to hold the standard for personal behavior high have capitulated. Dishonesty is rewarded, not condemned.
The guardian of democracy against the whims of tyrants, our free press, is under attack. Our judges and the closest thing we have to a national police, the FBI, are assailed almost daily. Congress can’t agree on much of anything. These vital elements of democracy are being weakened almost daily.
Yes, America has faced tough times before, but it’s different now due to the rise of social media. It has made it possible for anyone with a computer or cell phone to be a source of news or “facts.”
Therein lies the problem. Much of the “news” is fake news, news someone made up in the middle of the night under the influence of some ideology, belief, or desire for personal gain.
We don’t even have enough integrity anymore to call “fake news” what it really is....it's lies.
Then there is the problem of real news, facts, being labeled “fake news” by those who do not like the truth. Any time the news reflects poorly on someone or challenges basic assumptions or favorite beliefs, we are apt to hear the cry of “fake news.”
Fake news and cries of fake news are dodges, maneuvers to confuse, rally support, end scientific discovery, and shut down debate or even an investigation into the truth of a matter.
A belief in fake news provides us comfort in the face of facts that are hard to accept. Emotions play a dominant role in what we call truth. Facts that are troubling, that cause us worry and anxiety or self doubt, tend to be disregarded. Also, the cry of fake news allows us to push an agenda that cannot stand on its own merits.
Francis Bacon’s words are relevant here: “The human understanding when it has adopted an opinion … draws all things to it to support and agree with it.”
It’s easy to avoid the truth — just change the channel and you can create an alternative reality.
Now, unlike beauty, however, truth does not lie in the eyes of the beholder. Truths are truths and facts are facts, however inconvenient they are or however uncomfortable they make us feel.
Fake news and cries of fake news are killing our democracy. Fake news is the enemy of America. Ideally, in a democracy, decisions are made by consensus, with parties sitting down and listening to each other and reaching a decision that satisfies both. Policy decisions require agreement about facts.
It has been said that we are living in a “post truth” era. Blatant lies are routine across America, especially in politics. Fake news is often preferred over truth and facts. It just feels better!
To quote from Scientific American: “Much of the public hears what it wants to hear because many people get their news exclusively from sources whose bias they agree with. But contemptuous leaders and voters who are content with hand waving and entertaining bluster undermine the democratic rule by the people.”
We need to be clear about what the real problem with fake news is. People who prefer fake news do so because it advances their agenda or makes them feel good. Truth falls too often on deaf ears, ears deafened by vested interests, ears that seek the comfort of fake news.
If the America patriots have sacrificed and died for and if our democracy is to remain strong, Americans must reject claims of fake news and stop rewarding those who are hiding behind such claims. It takes courage, integrity, and love of country above individuals and parties to seek, accept, and speak the truth. Let’s hope America has such patriots.
Paul Robinson is a Mansfield resident.
Then there is the problem of real news, facts, being labeled “fake news” by those who do not like the truth. Any time the news reflects poorly on someone or challenges basic assumptions or favorite beliefs, we are apt to hear the cry of “fake news.”
Fake news and cries of fake news are dodges, maneuvers to confuse, rally support, end scientific discovery, and shut down debate or even an investigation into the truth of a matter.
A belief in fake news provides us comfort in the face of facts that are hard to accept. Emotions play a dominant role in what we call truth. Facts that are troubling, that cause us worry and anxiety or self doubt, tend to be disregarded. Also, the cry of fake news allows us to push an agenda that cannot stand on its own merits.
Francis Bacon’s words are relevant here: “The human understanding when it has adopted an opinion … draws all things to it to support and agree with it.”
It’s easy to avoid the truth — just change the channel and you can create an alternative reality.
Now, unlike beauty, however, truth does not lie in the eyes of the beholder. Truths are truths and facts are facts, however inconvenient they are or however uncomfortable they make us feel.
Fake news and cries of fake news are killing our democracy. Fake news is the enemy of America. Ideally, in a democracy, decisions are made by consensus, with parties sitting down and listening to each other and reaching a decision that satisfies both. Policy decisions require agreement about facts.
It has been said that we are living in a “post truth” era. Blatant lies are routine across America, especially in politics. Fake news is often preferred over truth and facts. It just feels better!
To quote from Scientific American: “Much of the public hears what it wants to hear because many people get their news exclusively from sources whose bias they agree with. But contemptuous leaders and voters who are content with hand waving and entertaining bluster undermine the democratic rule by the people.”
We need to be clear about what the real problem with fake news is. People who prefer fake news do so because it advances their agenda or makes them feel good. Truth falls too often on deaf ears, ears deafened by vested interests, ears that seek the comfort of fake news.
If the America patriots have sacrificed and died for and if our democracy is to remain strong, Americans must reject claims of fake news and stop rewarding those who are hiding behind such claims. It takes courage, integrity, and love of country above individuals and parties to seek, accept, and speak the truth. Let’s hope America has such patriots.
Paul Robinson is a Mansfield resident.
Labels: dishonesty, Mansfield News Journal, Mansfield Ohio, Paul Robinson
posted by Juliana L'Heureux | 7:02 PM
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