Today in #DetectingDeception is ... this. It's a good example of why reading past the tweet or headline is important, and also a good example of deceptive distraction.
2/ There's a full story, which you can read here. He basically went on, beyond the headline, to say that there are a variety of causes that could be examined. huffpost.com/entry/kevin-mc…
3/ That's probably true, but also beside the point. I think about it this way: I commute to work on an interstate. Very few people drive the speed limit of 65. I'd guess an average 75, with some folks going 90 or more. If everyone is too fast, is it wrong to pull anyone?
4/ If you look at the basic argument, it doesn't make sense that because all are accountable, you can't hold anyone accountable. There are good and important conversations we should have about selective enforcement to be sure, but bad is still bad. #DetectingDeception
5/ Those good and important we should have about selective enforcement conversations pertain to all kinds of laws. I picked a traffic example because there's some compelling evidence that this is a real problem. cnn.com/2019/03/21/us/…
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This is an interesting summation from interviews with journalists covering taxi online cultures. Several interesting ideas including "to assess newsworthiness, one must also assess what weapons the story would hand to its audiences." datasociety.net/wp-content/upl…
2/ "Further, the choice
to engage with a false story – even in the effort to refute it – aligns with the interests of the manipulators, who see any form of amplification as a victory."
3/ Person-attacks... stories are popular and get clicks. "...stories should keep the story specific to the communities affected, focus on the impact of an attack, minimize sensationalist language and headlines, and reduce antihero framings of the perpetrator"
Today in #DetectingDeception is the false comparison. I've seen this graphic a few places on social media and I don't know if it's authentic, but for this discussion, that doesn't really matter. Here's why something like this would have issues.
2/ When you look at information, there are a few relevant questions you might ask:
Is it true?
Is it in context?
Is it relevant?
3/ I started by looking at the source. There IS a Major Cities Chiefs Association, and they did produce a report on last summer's protests you can find on their website. majorcitieschiefs.com
Recent/current/future events in the U.S. got you feeling helpless? Here's one thing you can do today, right from where you are, to help. #FightFakeNews#DetectingDeception
2/ When people feel unsure, they try to get information to understand the situation. That's human nature. In a swirl of toxic lies and deceptions, it's very risky. Everyone needs to check themselves before they believe or repeat.
3/ Deplatforming people and information linked to violence is a good decision, but also a dangerous one. It is leading people to believe that they have to go further to find trusted sources with secret knowledge.
Today in #DetectingDeception is your feelings and how they encourage misinformation. There was a little kerfuffle recently over a much-shared post saying (falsely) that Mitch McConnell had vowed to allow no Democrat-sponsored bills in the new term.
2/ The post's writer has said it was a parody, and a follow-up tweet noted "Maybe people mistake me for an influencer." Why would this post get shared so often (sometimes by public figures)? Two things: Anxiety and uncertainty.
3/ Researchers have looked at rumor spread for more than 70 years, and anxiety and uncertainty are pretty consistent factors. This federal government transition feature both. People want to know what's happening and are unsure.
#SaturdayThoughts: It's Monkey Week for me. We go back to classes right away in the new year, so I usually use the week between Christmas and New Years to get some monkeys off my back that will plague me all next semester if I don't.
2/ Usually involves making sure all my work clothes are clean and ironed, that I have a good backlog of meals in the freezer for the busy nights, etc.
3/ This year, I'll be added redoing my spring courses into HyFlex to accommodate COVID needs. I need a detailed plan for each and to learn a couple of technologies I want to use.
Today in #DetectingDeception Critical thinkers take the time to *understand* arguments that they don't agree with, and it helps them make better decisions. Ideally, you could make the argument for each side as well as someone who accepts it. #WednesdayWisdom
2/ Why bother to understand what others think? Two reasons. First, you might be wrong, and f you only go by what you assume, you'll never know. Pro-tip: find opinion from people who actually believe something. This means using a variety of sources.
3/ Second, if you are right, you are more convincing if you understand how those you argue against think. In other words, you'll win more arguments.