Deconstructing with Della: Embellishing, exaggerating or downright lying.

October 02, 2017

Shawn Barigar, Mayor of Twin Falls (Harris Mizrahi, New York Times)
I think a lot of us embellish stories. We do it to make the story more interesting, entertaining or funny. Sometimes we add a bit more drama to get people to feel or retain our point. And that is not a bad thing if you are talking about the size of fish you caught. I have not traditionally believed people try to mislead others on purpose or exaggerate to deceive. My belief has changed. I have always known there is a fringe of radical, devious thinkers but truly felt it was a minority. Now, I am not so sure.

After reading the story from Twin Falls, Idaho about a small town juvenile sex crime that escalated into a major anti-refugee movement, my skeptic antenna is raised to the max. You really must read the entire article to get the full picture but essentially, it involved people stirring up anti-Muslim crap making a mountain out of a molehill. Actually, a full range of mountains. They used a sliver of a story to stir up irrational fears about refugees.

Now, I have read there is some evidence the Russians were behind Facebook sites related to this story. Oh my.

In this case, there is much speculation because the police cannot release the details, only refute the incorrect information. What is it about human nature to suspect the worst when we don’t have access to private information? And, why is it that people fear others who don’t look like them? What primal instincts are being tapped into?

I guess that is what the bad guys have figured out - Tap into fear and present inaccurate information to win your battle. By the time there is accurate reporting on the issue, the damage will be done and they can move on to their next target.

My greatest hope is the pendulum will swing back. As we get inundated with BS, we will start to crave reputable, credible sources of information. As more scandals get uncovered and people feel they were tricked or fooled into believing untruths, they will search for the facts.

I feel we have gone so far in the “fake” news world that it is time to swing back. I keep preaching to content experts how much they are needed to balance the scales of accuracy. We must highlight and promote quality sources. We must become more discerning information consumers.

To deconstruct: Question everything. Don’t accept what you read or hear as fact until you have thoroughly done your research. Expose exaggerated information when it is hurtful and malicious.

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