Can most Americans understand and define the differences among true information,

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   Patty Inglish, MSposted 7 years ago

   Can most Americans understand and define the differences among true information, misinformation,
   
   disinformation, information spin, and propaganda? In fact, what are they, and what do you see most in USA? [Photo by Anthony Easton via Flickr; CC by 2.0]
   
   

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   Ralph Deedsposted 7 years ago

   Apparently not or Trump wouldn't have been elected. On the other hand Clinton did get more votes. The Internet has made it much easier for propagandists to spread their lies.

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      Patty Inglish, MSposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I agree with all that. As soon as I hear propaganda, I switch off the program or, in person, leave the venue. The truth seems a rare but refreshing commodity. Thanks for commenting, Ralph! Goof to see you.

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   Ericdierkerposted 7 years ago

   This is really a great teaching time for young children. We are studying and working on adverbs and adjectives. We are seeing the difference between saying "dark blue" and "ugly blue". There is a difference and a seven year old just told me that one was a description and one was an opinion. (not ready to get heavy in that area yet but almost)
   Right now we are going to "drive our car to the bait and tackle shop". We are not driving our piece of crap old car to the stupid shop where they over charge you for fishing stuff. The seven year old sees the difference.
   And yet he also understands that his attitude toward something can frame his words and thoughts. OK - now we have tried cooked peas 3 times and he can tell me now that "he does not care for them" which absolutely does not mean that "peas taste like crap".
   I broached him on a word "collude". He immediately got that it was not a description but intended as a negative opinion.
   Yes this is right in line with what they are teaching 1st graders.
   So my seven year old can tell that what Ralph said was a negative opinion. My son just said as though he was doing a rorschach test - "I will not learn from that".
   So kids can cut through this -- adults choose not to and to let their fear base fight instinct take over.
   Good for talk show hosts on one hand and "news" programs on the other.
   I have blast on my elliptical at my gym, I get to watch Fox and CNN simultaneously and count adjectives. One is way ahead.

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      Patty Inglish, MSposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      This is all enlightening! That seven-year-old is in a learning atmosphere. I wish we all were.

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      Ericdierkerposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      We are living large here in learning central. Thanks for bringing learning to all of us Patty. Go Space Program!!

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      ptosisposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I wish I can vote yours as best answer

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   tsmogposted 7 years ago

   Hello, Patty. When I first saw the question I found it interesting while considered my ideas what they are. Looking for Hub ideas yesterday I decided why not practice writing an information article on information inspired by your questions. I did that only to discover the option as an answer is not functioning. But, I published it. I believe we cannot publish links to our Hubs. So, at my profile it is the 1st article in the highlighted articles.

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      Patty Inglish, MSposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I look forward to reading that Hub! Good show!
      Here's the link: hubpages DOT com/politics/Exploring-Information-We-Receive-Today

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   Ceegenposted 7 years ago

   What is truth? Can you hold it in your hands? Smell it? Taste it?
   
   The problem is in defining what is true. It's a philosophical problem that has no clear answer, but what we do know about the world is that truth is based on authority.
   
   Why? Because I said so.
   
   Don't agree? Why not? Because you say so, or, because someone else says so?
   
   And then you get into other philosophical problems regarding truth, at least as far back as the ancient Greek civilization:  The move "The Matrix" as an idea can be traced back to "Plato's cave".
   
   So who do you trust? Who is your authority for what is true? And what constitutes proof for something that is true, if your proof is being manipulated, like in "The Matrix"?
   
   Is the abyss staring back at us? Does a tree make a sound when it falls if no one is around to hear it? How do I know you're not all just well-written computer programs designed to interact with me, to keep me busy and away from the truth?
   
   We say we know what the truth is, but the truth makes liars of us all in the end, because we can't even prove we exist to anyone else but ourselves.

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