Fake News

faberryman · Jul 24, 2021

Old Gregg said:
If you see it on TV or a newspaper supported by advertising, that's fake by definition. That's because you're getting the "news" from an advertising company. There's basically zero alignment between maximizing advertising revenue and getting their facts straight. But there's a direct positive correlation between advertising revenue and getting you pissed off or scared. Why on earth would you expect the product to be good then?

Truthful information is complex, requires context and education to understand, and is very expensive. It's not a mainstream product and not available to you. So get used to just answering "I do not know" to pretty much any question on events happening outside of your own neighborhood. Because you don't.

The two books to read on this subject are: "Manufacturing Consent" by Chomsky (a classic, pre-internet) and "Hate Inc" by Taibbi (recent post-internet work). But even without reading the books, this is common sense logic. Why would anyone expect an accurate information to be delivered by advertising companies? Why not car dealerships? Hair saloons?

If I understand you correctly, you are saying “fake news” is news appearing on TV or in newspapers supported by advertising. It sounds more like an example than a definition. Anything else “fake news”?

I noticed that the Men’s 3000 meter steeplechase qualifiers will be held tonight in the Olympics. When NBC announces the winner of each race, will that be fake news? I am sure NBC will run paid commercials before and after each race.

When contemporary politicians use the term “fake news” are they using the term in the same sense you attribute to Chomsky and Taibbi?

DonJ · Jul 24, 2021

Old Gregg said:
That, Sir. Is a load of BS. The "information" available on a random TV channel or a newspaper makes your sentence above read as mockery of reality. Fake News message could have been a godsend for society if it wasn't popularized by the least qualified POTUS in history.

I also find the term "gaslight" amusing. That's a true giveaway of an indoctrinated mind speaking. Basically an allergic response to fresh air, e.g. bursting of the fake news bubble.

I described the term correctly. I’ll even provide a blatant example:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-europe-42462190

Your response is quite amusing. I’m sure you’ll follow up with another rant about how my example is bogus because it was reported by an advertising company. Be sure to show us how the BBC is run with advertising revenue.

BobD · Jul 24, 2021

"All news is fake."
- Marshall McLuhan

Maris · Jul 24, 2021

BobD said:
"All news is fake."
- Marshall McLuhan

I hope McLuhan didn't say that for if he did it is an example of a logical blunder. The statement "All news is fake" is news to me. Therefore the statement "All news is fake" is itself fake or, to put it more formally, false.
Fake news seems simply to be lies presented as revelations.

removed account4 · Jul 24, 2021

Old Gregg said:
blah blah blah

whatever
(edited for clarity)

BobD · Jul 24, 2021

Maris said:
I hope McLuhan didn't say that ...

Sorry to disappoint you:

removed account4 · Jul 25, 2021

Old Gregg said:
blah blah blah.

what a bunch of sheepshank
as I said. ... whatever
do me a favor, put me on your ignore list?
I'll do the same, thanks!

MartinCrabtree · Jul 25, 2021

Old Gregg said:
......................Try reading the two books I've suggested.

Why of course. There's no bias there. Nothing but truth right?

BrianShaw · Jul 25, 2021

It appears that the mission has been accomplished! Sad.

faberryman · Jul 25, 2021

Old Gregg said:
Your thoughts are of no value. They are not worthy to be published online.

Who died and left you in charge of determining whose thoughts are worthy? Chomsky would be appalled.

Vaughn · Jul 25, 2021

I prefer to keep it simple...For me, poor reporting (fake news) is when opinions, wishful thinking, and/or untruths (things known to be not true by the reporter) are reported as facts.

faberryman · Jul 25, 2021

Vaughn said:
I prefer to keep it simple...For me, poor reporting (fake news) is when opinions, wishful thinking, and/or untruths (things known to be not true by the reporter) are reported as facts.

I think you are confusing false or egregiously biased news with “fake news”. Contemporary politicians frequently call news which is true or substantially true “fake news” because it is inconvenient or unflattering. The term “fake news” should not be interpreted literally. In fact, when certain contemporary politicians call something “fake news” it is a pretty good indicator that it is in fact true, given their reputations for prevarication.

Vaughn · Jul 25, 2021

Used your way, 'fake news' is a short-term political wordage that has no real meaning. There is nothing that is 'fake news' -- it is a concept with no basis in reality.

removed account4 · Jul 25, 2021

Vaughn said:
Used your way, 'fake news' is a short-term political wordage that has no real meaning. There is nothing that is 'fake news' -- it is a concept with no basis in reality.

fake news is just a bumper sticker
like "visualize whirled peas" and "reality is for people who lack imagination"

MartinCrabtree · Jul 25, 2021

In order to maintain free speech one must endure things that are distasteful offensive and just plain wrong. It's helpful to posses the ability to think and dismiss the BS in the end forming an opinion. A disappearing faculty these days.

There's a reason one of the first things reduced when cutting a budget is education. The above is contrary to controlling the masses.

BrianShaw · Jul 25, 2021

MartinCrabtree said:
In order to maintain free speech one must endure things that are distasteful offensive and just plain wrong. It's helpful to posses the ability to think and dismiss the BS in the end forming an opinion. A disappearing faculty these days.

There's a reason one of the first things reduced when cutting a budget is education. The above is contrary to controlling the masses.

Preach!!

MartinCrabtree · Jul 25, 2021

You dispute the facts presented?

Vaughn · Jul 25, 2021

jnantz said:
fake news is just a bumper sticker
like "visualize whirled peas" and "reality is for people who lack imagination"

"Acid absorbs 47 times its weight in excess reality."
My nephew declared that he is so gay that he can't even think straight. (real news, but knowing him, not really news)
Nah...fake news usually isn't as much fun.

removed account4 · Jul 25, 2021

Vaughn said:
"Acid absorbs 47 times its weight in excess reality."
My nephew declared that he is so gay that he can't even think straight. (real news, but knowing him, not really news)
Nah...fake news usually isn't as much fun.

LOL
nope fake news isn't fun, unless its from the onion, America's original fake news source!

CMoore · Jul 26, 2021

I do not think Photoshop has done much more to "deceive society" than previous technologies.
The two books mentioned earlier.....
Hate Inc
Manufacturing Consent
..... are staples of modern society

Bikerider · Jul 26, 2021

faberryman said:
What is your definition of “fake news” and how did you arrive at it?

That term 'Fake News' is largely a 'Trumpism'! The term wasn't common before he became a head line fraud himself. However concerning him, the term 'outright lies' would be more appropriate

Ko.Fe. · Jul 26, 2021

Any "news" with narrative is fake.

And if you think of PS been involved, it is not news. News are posted almost instantly these days. No time for dinking with the image.

Ko.Fe. · Jul 26, 2021

cliveh said:
Perhaps "alternative facts" instead of "fake news" would have been better and have more meaning in my original question?

I was watching fake news all the time in USSR. And if you look at Russian mass media most of them still are.

jtk · Jul 26, 2021

MartinCrabtree said:

Truman might get a big laugh out of a certain former president.

faberryman · Jul 26, 2021

Ko.Fe. said:
Any "news" with narrative is fake.

Only to the extent the narrative is false. For example, I read that Nikon has released a new mirrorless body - the Z7II. Undoubtedly, the news was accompanied by some narrative which was true and some narrative which was false. Some narrative may have been simply opinion, in which case it was neither true nor false. That the announcement was accompanied by narrative does not render the fact of the introduction of the Z7II “fake news”.

Fake News

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