Every day, there’s a hailstorm of information to consider and digest, but some of it misrepresents reality or the truth.
Is the Duck Test still a viable means of distinguishing whether something is what it appears to be?
“If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck. It probably is a duck.”
There’s a lot of quacking and waddling going on, but much of the information is only suitable for the dumpster, which has no choice but to accept it.
On the contrary, we have a choice to accept or reject misinformation or disinformation. Call it what you will or may; it’s all about controlling the narrative. The narrative or manipulative story shapes people’s perceptions about individuals, issues, and circumstances. The key word is control or staying on message no matter the cost or lie.
People’s appetite for sensationalism and character assassinations seems insatiable, and finding the truth is undesirable and has no value.
Can the war of words get any worse than what’s happening today? There seems to be no end in sight.
Will the person who can dress up or disguise lies as truths to most people be the winner?
Merriam-Webster defines a war of words as “An argument in which people or groups criticize and disagree with each other publicly and repeatedly for usually a long time.”
Every communication medium—magazines, radio, television, social media, and public arenas like pubs and restaurants present messaging opportunities.
We can no longer afford to be misguided by the old idiom we were taught: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words won’t hurt me.”
Words hurt; words have consequences.
Words of lies can put people in prison, cause people to inflict bodily harm on the innocent, and crumble governments and empires.
There is a word for people obsessed with disinformation or alternative facts who use them to secure power and influence personal, political, social, and other norms.
The word is narcissist.
A narcissist uses alternative facts and lies to exploit individuals, organizations, businesses, and governments.
Narcissists love to control the narrative to create larger and stronger confederacies. The narratives divide and create ‘Them versus Us’ schisms.
Anyone can be susceptible or fall prey to manipulation, misinformation, or disinformation.
Today, I’m not so sure repeating someone’s lies thousands of times in headlining news stories doesn’t benefit the liar more often than not.
What’s the best way to squash, kill, or stop misinformation? Perhaps not feeding and giving it airtime to grow is one way.
As it was in the past, the best test to reveal ducks and wolves in sheep’s clothing is the lack of four of many character traits.
Humility – to esteem others while being modest about one’s importance.
Forgiveness – the ability to ask for forgiveness and to forgive others.
Accountability – taking responsibility for one’s actions.
The Golden Rule – do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
“Integrity is telling myself the truth. And honesty is telling the truth to other people.” Spencer Johnson
Be well.