Fake News and Trustworthy Sources: Who’s in Your Newsfeed?

Brian Ross of ABC news

Pundits, politicians, and professors are all wringing their hands over the proliferation of fake news. They’re all very concerned about the masses who now believe fake news. One thing that most fail to acknowledge is that many people prefer fake news over real news. Many viewers, readers, and listeners simply prefer news that confirms the things they believe in. It makes life easier. They like fake news and they’re not going to stop consuming it or sharing it simply because someone says it’s bad.

Santa Claus may cancel deliveries due to drone traffic!

Since the 1960s, when Rudolph began lighting the way, there has never been any talk of shutting down Santa’s delivery runs. However, new issues have come up which may force the cancellation of Christmas. The air traffic from holiday delivery drones has been building for several years, and an insider at the North Pole says a shutdown by Santa may be imminent because of it.

Blogging vs. Journalism: Can you say Blurnalism?

Bloggers and journalists, living together. Mass hysteria!

One of the late George Carlin’s classic comedy bits was about the differences between football and baseball. “Baseball is played on a diamond in a park. The baseball park! Football is played on a gridiron, in a stadium.”

These days some bloggers are doing journalism and many journalists are writing blogs. Although the lines are sometimes blurred - which has produced something I call blurnalism - there are some interesting differences most of the time. So, what would it be like to compare blogging to journalism in a similar way to Carlin’s treatment of baseball and football?

When you write a blog, you’re your own boss. You can write about anything. When you’re a journalist, you’re work is supervised by an editor or a producer who gives you assignments. In some cases, journalists suggest topics, but those have to be approved.

Letter to Florida Times-Union Editor about Fake News: Slow down and smell the satire.

Photo from Wikimedia Commons

Note: This is a letter to the editor of the Florida Times-Union which was published on November 30, 2017.

The recent tips offered by Times-Union Editorial Page Editor Mike Clark on how to spot fake news were helpful.

However, Clark neglected to address one very serious problem: The inability of Americans to comprehend satire, which is the most prevalent form of fake news.

Don’t Let Fake Brain Enhancement Supplements Make a Fool Out of You

Albert Einstein says,
"Fake News 101
is brilliant."

Would you like to be as smart as Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, or Albert Einstein? Who wouldn’t? What would be the harm in getting a free trial sample of a dietary supplement to enhance your mental abilities? All you have to pay is $4.99 for shipping and handling for your trial order of Enhance Mind IQ. But wait, there’s more. Don’t forget to read the tiny print before completing your order.

Fooling the Faithful: 4 Telltale Signs of Fake News from The Babylon Bee

Satire is one of the most popular forms of fake news and some of the best satire is being cranked out by a website called The Babylon Bee. Their slogan is, “The Babylon Bee is Your Trusted Source for Christian News Satire.” However, you don’t have to be Christian to laugh at their stories. Here are a few examples of headlines.

New Documents Confirm Pilgrims, Indians Argued About Politics Over Thanksgiving Dinner

Poll: Majority Of Evangelicals Would Support Satan If He Ran As Republican Candidate

Man Encounters Morning Traffic, Immediately Loses Salvation

Pope Francis Offers Mind-Blowing Deals On Indulgences For Reformation Day

‘Sports Illustrated’ Releases Hotly Anticipated ‘Modest Attire’ Issue

Wit Privilege and America's War on the Witless

Note: This article first appeared on June 4, 2015, in American Thinker. I wrote it as a satirical piece. With the recent revelations about Al Franken, Louis C.K., and, less recently, Bill Cosby, perhaps the time has come to address the realities of Wit Privilege.  

“Against the assault of laughter, nothing can stand.” Mark Twain

Mark Twain

Wit is not always a laughing matter.  For example, the Sons of Liberty used their wits to pull off one of the most memorable practical jokes in history at the Boston Tea Party. Also, Ben Franklin disseminated and popularized his philosophy through his bestseller, Poor Richard’s Almanac. His witty one-liners are quoted to this day by people who’ve never even heard of the book.

Wit privilege refers to societal privileges that benefit witty people in ways that are unavailable to the witless.  It continues to be a potent force in the United States.  The witty elite use jokes and anecdotes to win elections, spread ideologies, and market their services and wares.  All too often, the witless are the butts of the jokes. They are at a severe disadvantage in virtually every area of their sad lives.