While opening to the first page on Chapter 7 in unspun, the cartoon on page 126 with Einstein is amusing as the cartoon reads Albert saying "Information is not knowledge" with a footnote, literally on his foot, saying "I did not say this!" and above the drawing it says "Always Check the Footnotes!" I think its funny and very much so the truth because it is important to always check and recheck facts because sometimes facts are not true!
I'm sure all of us have received e mails about this private thing is going on with the government or this disease is happening or this person's child is lost and they need help, etc etc. It's all junk and for some reason people continue to buy into it without regard to checking things out. The Osama, Ollie and Al section in unspun on page 128 talks about e mails sent around about bin Ladin doing things and being places in the late '80s when, for once, he was accountable for his actions and his whereabouts. When we see messages that seem to be uncredible the first thing we should do is ask questions and lots of questions. We cannot rely on others to get answers for us because those answers can and usually are unreliable. Seen in unspun earlier, we believe things we see and hear, not because they are true, but because we want them to be true. Quite sad, but true!
Friday, February 20, 2009
Toxic Sludge Post Chapter 1&2 - Post #4
In Chapter 1 of Toxic Sludge on page 13, I found it interesting to find out that the PR industry is fairly new however I am not surprised at the amount of money that is dumped into the industry each year. People from all walks of life are involved in the industry - college grads to journalists to politicians. The PR industry requires this variety of people because the college grad can contribute an academic aspect whereas the journalist can appeal to the writing part and the politician can keep the PR work politically correct. The fact that public relations are everywhere is somewhat astonishing. Even at WCU - there are pictures of "happy students" of all sorts posing in pictures to promote students to study at the University. When you walk down the streets in West Chester or Philadelphia - you pass public buses that have advertisements slapped on the sides or stores that have fold out signs promoting a new product. The work of the PR industry is everywhere, its unavoidable!
In Chapter 2 of Toxic Sludge on page 27, I found the section "The Truth Hurts" interesting that the earliest scientific studies occured in the 1950s when the first cancer patients and other fatal illnesses came onto the scene. The fact that the tobacco industry became a mess from these early studies, it kind of proves that they knew their products were harmful, doesn't it? The quote from the industry on page 27 just says it , "In the words of the industry itself, the campaign was aimed at 'promoting cigarettes and protecting them from these and other attacks,' by 'creating doubt and the health charge without actually denying it, and advocating the public's right to smoke without actually urging them to take up the practice." The part of the quote that reminds me of soemthing Dr. Ray said in class is, "advocating the public's right to smoke without actually urging them to take up the practice." As Dr. Ray said, propaganda is meant to not implant thoughts into your head but to get you thinking about the idea.
In Chapter 2 of Toxic Sludge on page 27, I found the section "The Truth Hurts" interesting that the earliest scientific studies occured in the 1950s when the first cancer patients and other fatal illnesses came onto the scene. The fact that the tobacco industry became a mess from these early studies, it kind of proves that they knew their products were harmful, doesn't it? The quote from the industry on page 27 just says it , "In the words of the industry itself, the campaign was aimed at 'promoting cigarettes and protecting them from these and other attacks,' by 'creating doubt and the health charge without actually denying it, and advocating the public's right to smoke without actually urging them to take up the practice." The part of the quote that reminds me of soemthing Dr. Ray said in class is, "advocating the public's right to smoke without actually urging them to take up the practice." As Dr. Ray said, propaganda is meant to not implant thoughts into your head but to get you thinking about the idea.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Chapter 6 Post #3
The beginning of chapter six in unspun discusses anecdotes and data which is basically a few theories do not prove a hypothesis. We are humans, unfortunately, want to see what we let ourselves see and if we really believe something to be true then we think it is. The importance of this fallacy reminds us as humans to always question what we are told and find the truth in everything as much as possible.
In reference to the "Case Study: Is Cold-Eeze 'Clinically Proven" section on page 118, I used to watch commericals or read ads on products before taking this class and just think "oh it's clinically proven so it's probably okay to use and it probably works" as most Americans more than likely think as well. A newer product example, similar to that in the text is the Airbourne supplement that claims it can reduce the length of a cold. It just astonishes me how people can produce a product, create a claim about that product and still manage to take people's money knowing that the product does not work. This form of lies and deception is something I could never do to the people of the general public.
In reference to the "Case Study: Is Cold-Eeze 'Clinically Proven" section on page 118, I used to watch commericals or read ads on products before taking this class and just think "oh it's clinically proven so it's probably okay to use and it probably works" as most Americans more than likely think as well. A newer product example, similar to that in the text is the Airbourne supplement that claims it can reduce the length of a cold. It just astonishes me how people can produce a product, create a claim about that product and still manage to take people's money knowing that the product does not work. This form of lies and deception is something I could never do to the people of the general public.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)