- Fake news helps people avoid reality. Reality can be very uncomfortable at times. In fact, many people have far more reality in their lives than they want. Fake news provides a means of escape.
- Fake news confirms biases. Nobody really needs, or wants, to see things from the perspectives of others. In a world of chaos and confusion, what people need is confirmation that they are right about everything.
- With fake news, if you don’t like hearing opinions you disagree with, you never have to be exposed to them. On the other hand, if you enjoy being angry and hateful, fake news can provide more ammunition than you’ll ever need. Either way, fake news is the solution, not the problem.
- Fake News is more fun than real news. Fake news can bring laughter and joy into people’s lives. Or it can bring a sense of self-righteousness and moral indignation. Who doesn’t enjoy laughing and/or feeling superior to others once in a while?
One of the reasons we see so much
fake news is that there’s a tremendous demand for it. Some
folks can’t get enough of it. So, the next time you
think of disparaging fake news or making fun of the
people who love it, remember that most people prefer
fake news over real news. For some people, fake news
is one of the best things they have in their lives.
Reality is not all it’s cracked
up to be. In the Allegory of the Cave, Plato made
the case that reality is for people who can’t handle
fake news. If you don’t like fake news and prefer to
avoid it, that’s your business. But don’t be an
anti-fake bigot. Don’t tell people that they should
stop reading, viewing, and spreading fake news. Just
live in your reality and allow others to live in
their unreality.
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