Truth is often what we make of it. Even the very definition of the word itself reveals its subjective nature. Truth is fact or belief that is accepted as true, and not everyone believes in the same thing. Different beliefs and alternative interpretations of something considered a fact tend to create frictions among people, especially in sensitive topics such as politics. We often hear the saying, “that person speaks so much truth” but that truth is only one perspective out of many.
Paul Pardi talks about the elusiveness of truth in his article, What is Truth?, and claims “our perspective will even influence our ability to come up with a definition” for it. He asks the question: “if we decide that no one can get to what is true, what good is the definition?”Discovering the proper definition of what truth is requires us to be independent from the individual and subjectivity. It is important to make a distinction between truth and access to the truth. A fact is based on a scientific model for its discernment and collated to resemble a truth in objective matter. How this result is perceived depends on the perception of the individual. Though, it is quite difficult for many to accept the existence of truth independent of their own world view. Then, the question that everyone begins to ask is: “fact according to whom?”
If truth is “centered only in what an individual experiences”, then only a general consensus can help define the concept of truth for that individual. It is a common human nature to find others who agree or accept the reality just as we personally do. That strengthens our own belief on what is a fact and what is not. This could be very efficient but it could also be extremely dangerous. Many people who study psychology often claim that our minds are molded out of those who are around us as we experience the reality. However, we no longer depend on those people since we now have the access to social media where we can find others who actually share the same beliefs as we do.
Think about someone who attempts to make a joke. If people laugh, then that person becomes certain that his or her sense of humor is great. If they don’t laugh, then perhaps that person needs to work on it and develop a better sense. This natural method of growth or development is robbed from many individuals, especially young ones, due to existence of social media. They can now simply find people who will choose to laugh at their “great” sense of humor and they do not ever need to work on it. In our modern day of social media centered existence, the concept of truth has become a choose-your-own-adventure-book type of discovery. If you agree with this particular notion, go to [insert twitter handle]. If you disagree with it, go to [insert a different twitter handle]. If you neither agree nor disagree, go to twitter and start a new handle (why not?).
There is also the bias that comes with the common truth. A study of behavior based on common interests display the innate favoritism that people possess. We are drawn toward aspects and notions that are in common with our own personal interests. A person who might be considered shady or criminal could easily become someone we wish to befriend simply because he or she also enjoys the same brand of candy as we do. Turning a blind eye tends to be a common occurrence in the presence of common interest. This natural behavior is encouraged greatly on social media.
As individuals, we need to be more responsible of how we seek the truth. Open-mindedness and patience are two key virtues that could serve well in that discovery. The truth may not always be what we wish it to be but it is important to be conscious of our beliefs and how they affect our judgment. Driving a car is very dangerous but as long as the driver is responsible of how to steer the vehicle, the potential of safe driving and co-existence on the road is possible.
Pardi, Paul. “What Is Truth?” Philosophy News, www.philosophynews.com/post/2015/01/29/What-is-Truth.aspx.
Tea to Spill (But is that the point?) by Christina Masucci
I’ve been stewing for days over how to start this little rant of mine. Might as well just… go.
Alright. So over the past few years, I’ve been paying more attention to news sites on the internet. But not for the usual news you see on TV about politics and current (depressing) events. No, I stopped watching that series of trainwrecks back in 2016. Nowadays, I prefer more Latest Video Games or Such-and-Such Band Breaks New Record news. Things closer to my heart and hobbies to take away from the dour reality of world news, y’know?
But even then, it’s hard to escape the circus that is news media, and it’s hard to find a site that fairly reports current events in a way that’s objective where it’s needed and sensitive when it counts. I say this because I recall an event that occurred a year ago reported in the media spheres I frequent. Here, consideration and tact were needed. One popular site adhered to these needs; another did not, instead vying for the dramatic and blunt. You can probably guess which one I continue to follow and which one I dropped like a hot potato.
Said hot-potato-news-site, by the way, started off as a gossip site, had a founder that was incredibly problematic, and to this day throws rumors around like daily weather reports. Not naming names but I think I’ll get all my news from other sources, instead, thanks.
All in all, I’m generally wary of all news sites these days, regardless of what’s being reported. And, well, that’s pretty sad, ain’t it?
Alternative Facts or Fake News- By Darline Ceus
As for me, this was the best topic to discuss in this project, mostly because I am interested in what is happening around the world and the United States. Many people are not aware that fake news is rampant in the media and other news sources. People are unable to detect fake news because they assume that the news on television being reported by CNN, ABC and sometimes even President-elect Donald Trump cannot possibly be fake. Nevertheless, these major news sources and our president are the main sources behind fake news.
Additionally, many people do not know that fake news is a crime. In the United States, anyone found to be creating or producing fake news can get arrested and serve prison time. In order to detain fake news spreading around, Google has created an analytical software to spot and find fake news on the internet and shut those websites down. Some people are able to spot blatant fake news, however, others are not able to view the obvious fake news being reported.
Strategies
How to Spot Fake News
- check the website’s URL
- compare various news sources
- analyze the image for realistic views (or photoshop elements)
- question if answers are accurate and seem possible
- question if the details in the news is too far fetched
Where to Spot Fake News:
- Fake news can be found on major social media sites like Twitter, Facebook, or any other political news sources.
- Fake news can also be found in press conferences, among political debates and other scamming websites