The continued support of the GOP presidential ticket by roughly half of American voters signals, for me, a tipping point wherein truth -- that is, absolute, verifiable truth -- no longer matters. We live in a society comprised largely of careless, unthinking people who do not understand and/or simply ignore lies that counter their selfish world views.
Looking forward to your column in the New Haven Register tomorrow. I NEVER miss it. In fact, it's one of the few reasons that we continue to get the print edition. It has become more conservative in the past few years, so I'm glad that folks like you and Colin McEnroe are keeping them a bit more honest.
I had to look post truth up. "Post-truth is a term that refers to the widespread documentation of, and concern about, disputes over public truth claims in the 21st century. The term's academic development refers to the theories and research that explain the specific causes historically, and the effects of the phenomenon." My question is, are they trying for a more balanced view to represent the present situation in historical terms? Or would you say that they are trying to prewrite history?
I wonder whether you'll be discussing allocation of burden of proof. We are so often seeing so many bad actors being asked for no solid grounds for their stories or their doubts of stories grounded in fact, no pressure on them tone convincing-- but at the same time more evidence-based people not only being expected to offer proofs, but critiqued when bad actors don't believe the the stories-- for not having convinced the bad actors who refused to accept evidence.
Today's MAGA's, led by their beloved cult leader have made lies THEIR truth! It is in a word DANGEROUS! Before the ink dries on your next column an innocent will be maimed or worse because of hateful rhetoric!!
Ugh and sigh! Hard to reframe, for true. But this helps: not the cat and dog memes; rather, the insightful analysis of this tiny piece of objective time we live in.
JD Vance and DT are not backing down on spreading these lies. Is that what people want for their leaders. It is discouraging and I feel sad for the residents in Ohio. Swords up!
It's been interesting watching the response out of Ohio. One post on Xwitter (and yes, it's just one post) said that now people in Springfield know why people in Middletown (Ohio) cannot stand Vance. He will cheerfully throw any one under a bus.
Geez, you people get up really early.... Unfortunately, most politicians lie by either omission or by reframing the question. That is the common way to lie. But you are talking about bold face lies to warp the situation to an unnatural level. Many times he creates an issue where one doesn't exist so that the real issues are not addressed. I have three sons and let me tell you, this is a teenager's most potent strategy, to see if they can get you to forget what you were about to say. I don't fall for it. After three of them, well, I can spot it a mile away. My mind is always thinking..... and are they trying to cover up?
I taught my younger sister that by not telling our parents some things... well, they'd just sleep better at night, and if you weren't in danger, really skip the conversation. I was big on omission. As for lying why you can't attend an event, Miss Manners says that you don't need to give a reason, just say yes or no, if pushed, just say, that it isn't going to work.
It is the fantastical lies that Trump has made so many times that I seriously wonder if human intelligence has declined. My husband thinks that the Koch brothers succeeded at destroying public education, and this is an example of their success. Whereas, I think that we totally overrated ourselves, thinking that during the 1960s we elevated ourselves, e.g.. civil rights, women's rights, only to discover 10 years ago (when Trump started campaigning) that we were so wrong. I believe that when Obama was elected some people just couldn't handle it.
Ok, I have to say it. But color is his skin now? It is no longer orange, but it sure isn't natural.
It is true that politics carries with it an element of lying -- or presenting facts in the best light imaginable, at best. Lies in politics serve a purpose, as do campaign promises that often turn out to be lies. Promises are aspirational. A politician may have no intention of fulfilling a promise, but the voters are bound to remind that politician.
As for Trump's skin, badly-applied bronzer will do that to a body and I have to think his makeup team is fucking with him.
The Koch Bros. are not alone in their endeavors. I read a huge article, a few years ago, naming Betsy DeVos and her in-laws, along with many other very wealthy people, who are working to get rid of public schools, and have children educated in 'private/church' schools. Sounds like a precursor, or another arm, of Project 2025.
There is a sort of information gantry that very rapidly becomes self-supported, that sometimes even disdains the ground, that says, If it seems straightforward it must be valueless. Here we see a tip of that gantry: an avowal to present "the truth" by means of lies.
I think that a relatively comprehensible example is the bulk of the espionage industry, as represented by writer John LeCarre. The search for information leads to projects to obscure information leads to programs to propagate false information leads to detection of information networks by emissions and study of the trails of smoke signals of false information and we have spy establishment entrapping and investigating spy establishment far, fr from earth.
The continued support of the GOP presidential ticket by roughly half of American voters signals, for me, a tipping point wherein truth -- that is, absolute, verifiable truth -- no longer matters. We live in a society comprised largely of careless, unthinking people who do not understand and/or simply ignore lies that counter their selfish world views.
We are discussing "post-truth" in class today. Wish me luck, as I don't believe in "post-truth."
Looking forward to your column in the New Haven Register tomorrow. I NEVER miss it. In fact, it's one of the few reasons that we continue to get the print edition. It has become more conservative in the past few years, so I'm glad that folks like you and Colin McEnroe are keeping them a bit more honest.
Well, I'm honored. Thank you.
I had to look post truth up. "Post-truth is a term that refers to the widespread documentation of, and concern about, disputes over public truth claims in the 21st century. The term's academic development refers to the theories and research that explain the specific causes historically, and the effects of the phenomenon." My question is, are they trying for a more balanced view to represent the present situation in historical terms? Or would you say that they are trying to prewrite history?
I cannot fathom why they're doing this. To win at any cost? The truth still matters.
Luck!
I wonder whether you'll be discussing allocation of burden of proof. We are so often seeing so many bad actors being asked for no solid grounds for their stories or their doubts of stories grounded in fact, no pressure on them tone convincing-- but at the same time more evidence-based people not only being expected to offer proofs, but critiqued when bad actors don't believe the the stories-- for not having convinced the bad actors who refused to accept evidence.
This is a journalism class. We absolutely advocate vetting our sources before we share or embrace information. To do otherwise wouldn't be journalism.
I was thinking more of the now-acculturated problems on the reception end, FWIW/
At this point, I suspect many voters will not believe Anything DT and JD spout off about!
I'm so there.
Here's hoping.
Today's MAGA's, led by their beloved cult leader have made lies THEIR truth! It is in a word DANGEROUS! Before the ink dries on your next column an innocent will be maimed or worse because of hateful rhetoric!!
Ugh and sigh! Hard to reframe, for true. But this helps: not the cat and dog memes; rather, the insightful analysis of this tiny piece of objective time we live in.
Sadly, you're right.
I DON'T want to be right but.......:((
JD Vance and DT are not backing down on spreading these lies. Is that what people want for their leaders. It is discouraging and I feel sad for the residents in Ohio. Swords up!
It's been interesting watching the response out of Ohio. One post on Xwitter (and yes, it's just one post) said that now people in Springfield know why people in Middletown (Ohio) cannot stand Vance. He will cheerfully throw any one under a bus.
I hope voters are listening to this garbage and are applaud. We can’t have Vance and DT running this country. Onward!
The Emperor’s New Clothes continues. Sigh.
It's exhausting, isn't it?
It sure is. It’s hard to find the words.
Geez, you people get up really early.... Unfortunately, most politicians lie by either omission or by reframing the question. That is the common way to lie. But you are talking about bold face lies to warp the situation to an unnatural level. Many times he creates an issue where one doesn't exist so that the real issues are not addressed. I have three sons and let me tell you, this is a teenager's most potent strategy, to see if they can get you to forget what you were about to say. I don't fall for it. After three of them, well, I can spot it a mile away. My mind is always thinking..... and are they trying to cover up?
I taught my younger sister that by not telling our parents some things... well, they'd just sleep better at night, and if you weren't in danger, really skip the conversation. I was big on omission. As for lying why you can't attend an event, Miss Manners says that you don't need to give a reason, just say yes or no, if pushed, just say, that it isn't going to work.
It is the fantastical lies that Trump has made so many times that I seriously wonder if human intelligence has declined. My husband thinks that the Koch brothers succeeded at destroying public education, and this is an example of their success. Whereas, I think that we totally overrated ourselves, thinking that during the 1960s we elevated ourselves, e.g.. civil rights, women's rights, only to discover 10 years ago (when Trump started campaigning) that we were so wrong. I believe that when Obama was elected some people just couldn't handle it.
Ok, I have to say it. But color is his skin now? It is no longer orange, but it sure isn't natural.
It is true that politics carries with it an element of lying -- or presenting facts in the best light imaginable, at best. Lies in politics serve a purpose, as do campaign promises that often turn out to be lies. Promises are aspirational. A politician may have no intention of fulfilling a promise, but the voters are bound to remind that politician.
As for Trump's skin, badly-applied bronzer will do that to a body and I have to think his makeup team is fucking with him.
The Koch Bros. are not alone in their endeavors. I read a huge article, a few years ago, naming Betsy DeVos and her in-laws, along with many other very wealthy people, who are working to get rid of public schools, and have children educated in 'private/church' schools. Sounds like a precursor, or another arm, of Project 2025.
Omission and reframing the question, explained to me as “Cranking up the fog machine”.
The machine is going full time now -- but then, I just may not be imaginative enough to figure out how things could get denser.
There is a sort of information gantry that very rapidly becomes self-supported, that sometimes even disdains the ground, that says, If it seems straightforward it must be valueless. Here we see a tip of that gantry: an avowal to present "the truth" by means of lies.
I think that a relatively comprehensible example is the bulk of the espionage industry, as represented by writer John LeCarre. The search for information leads to projects to obscure information leads to programs to propagate false information leads to detection of information networks by emissions and study of the trails of smoke signals of false information and we have spy establishment entrapping and investigating spy establishment far, fr from earth.
This is the best explanation I've seen. Thank you.
LeCarre's spy novels are a great analogy! They wanted to control the world, which we all know, you can't.