So, there was a debate this evening, of the candidates for the US Presidency.
Not going to comment on the politics of it... but I find myself reflection on what is "real" and what is not... and whose reality is it, anyway?
This bird is WATCHING you...
Thinking about what is heard and seen and employing a little critical analysis seems to *(sadly) have become a thing of the past. People seem quite willing to just accept what is spoon fed to them, without fact checking anything.
It's on the Internet, so it must be true...
The Internet is a lovely invention. Never before have we had access to such an extensive source of information and such an instant source of "the latest." Everybody becomes a news reporter, an expert, a commentator and a front row spectator to everything that ever happens, out there.
In some ways, it's pretty amazing. Consider, for a moment, that just 150 years ago, it might be several days before you even knew the President had been shot. Now we watch it unfold live, or within a few seconds of it happening, 24/7/365.
Recently, I was looking at a YouTube clip someone had sent me a link to, and it really struck home how the web is this place where you can find supporting "evidence" for almost ANY belief you might hold. This evening, both Donald Trump and Kamala Harris "won" the debate.
Depending on who decides...
You believe that beef fat and bacon is going to kill you? Five minutes with Google, and you can find scientific evidence that your belief is true. You believe that beef fat and bacon are actually good for you? Five minutes with Google, and you can find scientific evidence that your belief is true. Vegans are right, and so are carnivores...
Which brings me back to the reality that I sometimes end up feeling alarmed by the degree to which people mindlessly allow what they find online to become "an extension and reinforcement" of their beliefs... without pausing to QUESTION what they read!
People watched the debate this evening and automatically believed that "their" candidate was right... without checking any facts.
I keep thinking about "scientific methodology" and the various perils of research, as they were explained to me when I was at University. And the danger of being "attached to a theory," and then going off in search of "evidence" to support your theory, rather than merely observing facts, gathering information and then forming a theory around patterns that emerge... whether they support your idea, or not.
Facts seem to have become very unpopular — suspect, even — in this day and age. It strikes me that many people who put information online are all less about "providing basic facts" about a topic than about having a platform for their personal agendas. Like "The Undiluted And Straightforward Truth" is the last thing anyone wants to talk about... be they conservative or liberal; rabid or passive.
Meanwhile there was a debate... and I find myself wondering how many are actually taking the time to research whether the statements and claims made by the candidates contain actual facts, or are they just opinion?
And does anyone even care, as long as they looked good on TV?
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Created at 2024-09-11 01:11 PDT
1211/2468
Odd that Google is your go to. Alphabet inc. Like big pHarma is now known as propagandists and misinformers (liars) for profit. Follow the money to see this. They both have record numbers of lawsuits against them.
I now only believe things when I see the live video. And that is becoming questionable with a.i. entering the picture.
There are still hundreds of innocent of what they are charged for on Jan 6th 2021 in a DC goulags. The spin and misinformation was and still is disturbing. Much of it straight up lies.
I had 2 separate live streams going on J6. I watched Ahley Babbitt's murder in real time.
It is Fucking Disturbing @denmarkguy. I will never again believe the Lame Stream Media or any of the big tech socails/searches that do the government ran big pHarma funded medias bidding. If I do not see it live or from a trust worthy source such as law enforcement body cam footage as seen here. Then I do not believe it till I see such proof. Grain of salt type deal till then.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fnq2SjTn8N0&feature=youtu.be
I agree with what you say about the Vegan/Carnivor search theory. Even tho my bias makes me crave a big juicy steak right now. 😳
Known liars like ABC moderating. What a hoot. They interrupted Trump to "Fact Check" him 11 times. CumAllah ZERO. I think the old orange man bad did pretty good for it being 3 against 1.
When I see this much spin trying to debunk something. That is a red flag. And it is off the charts with the pets being eaten in Ohio. Reality is a funny thing. I am out here living it. I see shit every day out here on the road that disturbs me. I see it with my own two eyes. And they say it is something different. Or that did not happen.
Big Media Fact ✓ 😂🤣😂😂🤣
img-src NOT GOOGLE
Well, Google isn't actually my "go to" but is a useful point of reference for this article, in that it has all sorts of information.
Depending on what I am looking at, I run most things past either Ground News or Media Bias/Fact Checks to get a sense of the "slant" of any given opinion... and then I use that as a backdrop for further research.
Looking at the live video is definitely a good thing to do, as is scrutinizing the leanings and agenda of those posting that video. As you say, it is getting harder and harder... not just because of AI, but also thanks to seamless video editing and the posting of partial stories that only draw attention to that which serves a particular perspective.
As Shakespeare once observed: "The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose."
Whereas that video is disturbing — because we are cat lovers, after all — it comes from the body cam of officers called to the scene in Canton, OH (170 miles from Springfield) back in mid-August, and the woman being arrested was not an immigrant but a mentally ill U.S. Citizen high as a kite on God knows what... which I know because our son lives nearby and was having to explain the video to our grandkids, weeks before "it became a thing" in the debate.
But you're right, everybody is trying to spin a story to fit their agenda... and the spinmeisters are depending on people not caring or not having the time to dig up the actual facts. And often the facts are hidden by the cloud of circulating bullshit...
But you're 100% right, there's disturbing shit going on everywhere... and, like you, I increasingly only trust my own eyes... and even that I need to back check!
It all comes down to perception and experience then somewhere in the middle is reality. Mostly we can all agree on what is and is not reality but every so often especially in emotional situations reality can be muddled and manipulated.
Best to have multiple opinions, plus views from all sides then research to discover ones truth based of what we learned.
I find it is important to be prepared to also be wrong and to be open minded but stick to actual facts in the pursuit of reality.
It is not easy these days 🤣
Have the best day @denmarkguy
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I think people mix up their terms a lot. Facts are not the same as truth are not the same as opinions, and yet they all seem to get blended together under a single umbrella.
Consider that the actual temperature might be 22 degrees. That is the only fact under consideration. An Inuit native might insist that it is HOT while someone from Tanzania would call it a COOL day, and both might claim with absolute conviction that they are right and speaking the truth. But what is "the truth?"
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One of the advantages of being an anarchist is not feeling obligated to defend one candidate or the other. I reject the legitimacy of the office regardless.
I get that.
I have no inclination to support either of them.
Waste of time fact checking politicians. Luckily we can judge both of these by their administrations. As much as I don't like inflation, it's done a wonder on the crypto portfolios, real estate and gold. Also, it's nice living in Canada because while our politicians are also liars, they are quite so in your face about it.
Growing up in Denmark, the political truth was perhaps similar to what you say of Canada... few people held any expectations that politicians are pure as the driven snow...
Too much misinformation is circulating on the web and social media. A very people are skeptical about those. Most of us believe what is posted on the web without thinking twice as you have mentioned here. This creates havoc in the offline area also. We saw many such incidents during the recent mass movement in Bangladesh that toppled the government. The mass public believed everything without confirming anything.
Good and thoughtful post.
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STOPAbout the US presidency, are you in support of the popular candidate? 😊
Alas, no... I'm not in support of any of the candidates who are actually running now. But I'm not entirely in support of a two-party system, either.
Thinking about what is not important help the real thinking to come up, it's like vision