An interesting documentary here on the process of various skulduggery and chicanery that takes place behind the scenes, cleverly directing your attention to where various entities want it to be, whilst they make big profits or strides in a particular agenda.
Originally a book, this has been made into a documentary of around 1hr 36mins which takes you on an illuminating journey into the heart of spin and ‘spin doctors’. This film lifts the lid on a bunch of highly charismatic pundits for hire who present themselves as authorities on science yet may also have the aim of spreading maximum confusion - or opposing view - of various threats we face.
It starts off talking about the tobacco industry. Yes, the one that at one stage in the past told us smoking is good for you. They had to dial it back a notch and then said that it’s not particularly bad for you. Then, maybe it’s not the best but it doesn’t cause cancer and the like. Then later still, when it could be denied no further - sure, those things are true but it’s your responsibility. Oh, and there's evidence to suggest they knew well and good all along.
There are parallels between the tobacco situation and various other public threats, ranging from toxic chemicals to pharmaceuticals to climate change. Although, I will here add a quick caveat: they’re not necessarily all the same; there may well be similarities in the approach and some of the same characters involved, but we need to be careful of tarnishing everything with the same brush and make sure we take each case on its own merits, and do our own research.
That aside, many of the people who push some of these anti-agendas appear again and again. And they are usually in the mix somewhere operating either in plain sight or somewhere back in the shadows. Of course, this applies to all people on all sides of anything but this documentary paints a picture of this particular set of nefarious characters and intentions.
Also spliced into the show is a magician talking about his craft. There is an analogy with magic trickery which is expanded upon here. A card trickster (many doing it honestly as a profession or amateur, others exploiting) relies on mis-direction. “Hey, look over here!”, whilst over there something is happening and not necessarily in your best interests. In the case of the magician, it’s all good fun and you’re happy that it worked as you were entertained. In other circumstances you were taken advantage of or manipulated for someone else's gain, and potentially at your or someone else's loss.
Some people work behind the scenes and influence a whole lot of stuff. Others are talking heads who appear on multiple TV shows masquerading as experts and with great personality, certainty and a way with words and repetition can get into the general psyche. Some scientists on the other side of the coin trying to put their point across, may not have that same charisma in communication; where they excel is in a lab, so it’s not always a fair fight in that respect.
One guy in particular talked with great glee about his involvement and influence in pushing certain matters. To the point where scientists on the opposite side received death threats for putting forth their opinion and research. He said he also got death threats and was part of the fun of the game.
Another chap spoke intelligently about how this all comes about. One other discusses how it comes down to people’s unwillingness to change their opinion once it’s been set, even in the face of new and compelling evidence, and how that goes into our tribal nature of being part of the group and solidly proclaiming our position. It’s quite frightening actually how easily our perceptions are shaped and the sheer conviction we will cling to something, and the lack of ability to alter our view.
The doc moves onto climate change and gives a very convincing account of what is happening with the world. Again there have been seeds of doubt shed over whether climate change is real, whether it is and is not as bad as made out, or whether yes it exists but has nothing - or very little - to do with humans. The jury is still out on the exact answer.
Not in the film, but there are many recent examples with the whole Covid situation and the debates that we have all had regarding rights and wrongs, freedoms and restrictions, best health practices and medical interventions etc. Then we have Russia/Ukraine and lord knows what else going on. There are people with an agenda in all these matters and on all sides, so who do you trust? Which scientists (and science) are correct? Who’s on the payroll and/or not aware of the full picture?
But then again, that’s the whole point: throw in enough doubt and it clouds the whole picture. No-one knows for sure and that’s enough to either steer people a certain way, or at least stop or slow their progress down another path.
A thoroughly interesting documentary which does question your thinking and beliefs and reminds us that we’re all being played - or certainly influenced by those with an agenda - and we need to be aware of this, take most things with a pinch of salt, do our own research, add a dash of intelligence and logic, draw what conclusions we can and act as best we can for ourselves, those around us and our planet.
Give it a watch and let me know what you think!
~ Adam
@adambarratt
www.AdamBarratt.com
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What a great title! I'll be watching based only on the name!
Cheers Tommy!
a very informative article, in the style of the movie "Thank You for Smoking"
And thank you!
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