Brooks Jackson and Kathleen Hall Jamieson begin UnSpun: finding facts in a world of [disinformation] by stating, "We live in a world of spin." Just think about the amount of "spin" that must be impacting our society. Understanding that all information is interpreted by the person through their own past experiences, an understanding of "truth" seems unattainable.
If people are allowed to create their own reality by putting "spin" on information (whether or not that "spin" was deliberate or innocent), I wonder how can we know what to believe? Is it possible that this is a defense mechanism to help us survive or is it our own path to destruction?
At first glance the use of technology and the use of information are parallel tracks sometimes crossing paths. However, they run much more closely than many would imagine. Has technology perpetuated this culture of "disinformation" to a point in which too many people have to much incorrect information? It is a problem when people become so confident that this misinformation becomes reality ultimately affecting relationships: professional and personal.
Is technology the bad guy? I don't think so. As the authors of the book state, it is all about choosing the right standard of proof, respecting facts, and staying "unspun."
"You are entitled to your opinion. But you are not entitled to you own facts." - the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan (New York)
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