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Month: September 2017

“Deluge” of information makes it difficult for social media users to recognize true and false statements

“Deluge” of information makes it difficult for social media users to recognize true and false statements

Mark Zuckerberg argues that more information reaching more people enhances democracy. But, as the adage goes, quantity does not equal quality. Source: Facebook Built Its Vision of Democracy on Bad Math | WIRED The linked article says social media users are under a deluge of information overload – there is now so much information in our news feeds – much of it fake or false – that we are unable to distinguish between the real and the false. This concept…

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Propagandists find new way to reach Facebook users

Propagandists find new way to reach Facebook users

Propagandists find new way to reach Facebook users: Through an unknown mechanism, these junk sites are managing to get their content posted on verified celebrity Facebook pages and spread to millions of users who find themselves inundated with spam, fake news, ads, and tracking software. Which then results in: Facebook users who “liked’ the pages of celebrities with large followings are inundated with spam and fake news Which is another illustration of how social media is a friction-less platform for…

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Fake-news writer dies in Arizona

Fake-news writer dies in Arizona

Still unsure if this is a real news story or a fake news story. Paul Horner, one of the most famous fake news writers, who made his living writing fake news, is said to have died – in Arizona! I’ve posted a couple items about Paul Horner on this blog in the past. Source: Paul Horner, infamous fake-news writer and hoaxster, dies in Phoenix

Why do we play the national anthem at sports events?

Why do we play the national anthem at sports events?

Sports is entertainment. Why do we play the national anthem at sports events? Why do we not play the national anthem at concerts, plays and other entertainment events? Because professional baseball, about 100 years ago sought to leverage patriotism in their marketing program – playing the national anthem at baseball games used the propaganda method of “transference” – literally transferring a feeling of patriotism to the playing of a pro sports baseball game. This was specifically to market professional baseball…

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Disaster Propaganda Part 2: Is there anything it can’t do?

Disaster Propaganda Part 2: Is there anything it can’t do?

This is not the Part 2 I was planning to post. Guess there will be Part 3! Earthquakes! A 7.1 or 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred near Mexico City. Mexico is the 7th most seismically active country due to the intersection of 3 tectonic plates. An 8.1 magnitude earthquake took place near there in 1985, causing massive destruction to Mexico City. Large magnitude quakes are very common in Mexico (click for list) Big quakes in Mexico are not unusual and they…

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