In Other Words

Evolution

A spot of good news on this dreary day, in this Washington Post poll. Bush is still losing support at home, with Kerry now officially listed as being trustworthier then Mr. Pubic Hair. Understandable, really, it’s just amazing that it took them all so long to figure out that he was full of Bushit.

Bush is now losing support on the ‘war on terror’ front. The American people finally realise that the war in Iraq was a feint and not really related to battling al Quada at all. The really great news is that even though the economy is improving in the US Bush’s support is still on the slide.

I hope I’ll be able to look back at this entry some day and go ‘I wasn’t really worried about him winning, was I? The American people weren’t that stupid’. It looks more and more likely, with Bush’s propaganda machine digging its own grave very effectively.

Its funny how this presidential race is changing the entire face of political campaigns. The Internet taking over, in large part, from the TV and radio. Millions upon millions of people collecting their ideas, beliefs and arguments from this cyber jungle.

The big thing that one article noticed correctly (I think) is that rather than helping people get a better idea of what is going on, the internet seems, instead, to promote extremist beliefs. People go to those web sites that promote their own beliefs. How many people, really, want to read what they disagree with? I’ve done it myself on occasion (though I try to do it less now). ‘Pfah, what this guys says is complete nonsense!’ and then I kill that page. Looking instead for something that suits my taste and agrees with my views.

That could be dangerous, as there is nobody checking on the truthfulness of what other people say. Nobody can, there is way too much information out there. So people can make up lies and have them spread around, becoming truths to the general public. People can edit photos, make up stories and create fables with the press of a button.

I guess its up to places like fact check and similar websites to try to get people accept what is true and what isn’t. Now we just have to educate people to be as sceptical as possible of what they read, hear and see. A skill that, with this overflow of information, has become more important then ever.

posted by Symbol @ 22.6.04