Lessons in Thinking for One's Self, No.1
Referring to an earlier post, our opinions are of equal importance and relevance to anyone else's, except in regard to actual knowledge of a given subject, i.e., a mountain climber knows more about climbing mountains that one who does not. That person's opinion therefore carries more weight, but only in regard to mountain climbing.
Too many people give away to celebrity their right to a personal, and often more valid, point of view. This is especially true in regard to the media; both those who work in the visual and those who work in print. We all tend to believe what the newspeople tell us because, deep down, we can't imagine they'd ever lie to us. And while it is true that the media is made up of people, just like you and I, they are equally made of the same imperfections we find in ourselves, and therefore not to be fully trusted. You can't rely on someone else to tell you what you should believe. It's enough that they have pointed in a given direction, but it is upon us that the responsibility of finding the truth lies. [an interesting word combination].
Know yourself first, and you will find truth.
Too many people give away to celebrity their right to a personal, and often more valid, point of view. This is especially true in regard to the media; both those who work in the visual and those who work in print. We all tend to believe what the newspeople tell us because, deep down, we can't imagine they'd ever lie to us. And while it is true that the media is made up of people, just like you and I, they are equally made of the same imperfections we find in ourselves, and therefore not to be fully trusted. You can't rely on someone else to tell you what you should believe. It's enough that they have pointed in a given direction, but it is upon us that the responsibility of finding the truth lies. [an interesting word combination].
Know yourself first, and you will find truth.
from the mind of... Eric | 6:00 PM
3 Comments:
But if you believe nothing the media says, then you end up being uninformed on any subject. A better statement might be to "take everything with a grain of salt." Television and newspapers news credibility rests upon their accuracy
Uninformed? How do you get that? Whether or not I choose to believe what comes out of any particular media mouthpiece... Arrggh!!
Calm, peace, serenity....
[and in a lecturing tone...] The point of this lesson is to inform the reader that he/she is quite capable of determining the truth of any given situation, if he/she is willing to put forth a little effort-- to say nothing of using a little common sense --without allowing the likes of Brian Williams, Matt Lauer, Katie Couric, John Roberts, Bob Schieffer, etcetera, et al... to fill your brain with a bucket load of mush. If you want to let these agenda driven mouthpieces fill your brain with folderol and mush, well, that is certainly your prerogative. But how bright is it to accept a doctors diagnosis without a second opinion? Do you buy a used car without getting it checked out by an independent mechanic? If you do you may not be a fool, but you're certainly inviting disaster.
Take for example all the stories being pressed on us about the price of oil, and the "record prices at the pump". It's simply not true. Adjusted for inflation [a phrase used selectively by the media and only when its use bolsters the point they wish to make], the price of a barrel of oil in March of '81 peaked at or near the $90 mark. Gas was $3.03 a gallon. The crisis was further exacerbated by the misery index...
"The misery index was initiated by Chicago Economist Robert Barro in the 1970's. It is simply the unemployment rate added to the inflation rate. It is assumed that both a higher rate of unemployment and a worsening of inflation both create economic and social costs for a country. A combination of rising inflation and more people of out of work implies a deterioration in economic performance and a rise in the misery index."
--http://www.miseryindex.us/
...which reached its highest point in June of 1980 at a whopping 21.98%. For comparison, June of this year was only a 7.53%.
Everyone has a motive for everything they say and do. What was Dan Rather's motive in trying to pawn off forged documents on the viewing public? What is almost every politicians motive for everything they do in their official capacity?
Choosing not to believe everything that comes out of the anchor's mouth doesn't make me uninformed, only unswayed. To sit back and simply believe without question... THAT would make me uninformed, and foolish.
You should make an honest study of Human Nature. I believe it would serve you well.
Further, it would be foolish to not listen to what the media has to say. It's called a balanced approach. I enjoy watching the CBS evening news for the heads up I get as to what's going on in the world, but as to believing their take on what it all means? Not on your life! Or mine for that matter.
On an entirely different subject... I refuse to believe your choice of handle, in regard to your email address was unintentional.... "Bent". You undoubtedly relish in its implication.
"...shine on you crazy diamond"
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