What to believe and what not to believe...?

What to believe and what not to believe...? This is a very pertinent question today, whenever we go through any article or news item in the media. Even the 'print media' is not sure of what they print - they issue a 'disclaimer' at the end of every piece of their work. Today, the media gives importance and prominence only to 'sensational' content and not the 'facts'. It is for the reader or viewer to discern and ascertain the correctness in the articles or video clippings which the media dished out for us.

In the early civilization, people thought that the 'earth was flat', as they could see only as long as they could see with naked eyes. So the world looked flat in their view. People were not traveling too far as they were engaged in survival, more than exploration. They were not knowing the concept of 'disclaimer'. And so they did not issue the disclaimer over their belief that 'earth was flat'. Even established scientific 'facts' later are proved to be wrong, even today. So, can we believe all the 'so-called scientific facts'?

Today a very high percentage of what we encounter in any social media is 'fake news'. Some people simply forward the same (without ascertaining the correctness) to their contacts. A University study says, 'that the main reason is to influence like-minded people in certain sections of the community. They want people to believe it is true'. This is a dangerous trend. This unmindful act of forwarding what you get in your platform is called 'shoveling shit'. Some people get into legal tangle by forwarding such fake news. They simply argue that they did not read it before forwarding. However, this will not be admissible in the court of law.

During the last 2 years (corona period), how many people (mostly unqualified) suggested remedies for the virus attack! Most of them are unsustainable, unproven remedies, which were not tried out on anybody. Mostly all fantasies! And how many prophesies! That this (corona virus) will vanish on such and such date, it will reappear on such and such date.... May be they are all crystal ball readers!. And the interviews of such prodigies were doing the rounds in the social media and those so-called prodigies were all looked upon as "God-incarnation". How foolish of some people to believe those messages!

A 'disclaimer' can be used only where an unknown negative factor may crop up, despite past favorable results. For example, a financial planning company can disclaim that 'past performances don't necessarily indicate future results'. This is to highlight the 'risk factor' in the product they offer, as the outcome in future depends on the varying market conditions, which are unpredictable. We cannot simply bring up our 'fantasies' and give a 'disclaimer' at the end of the 'write-up'. 

I don't need to issue a 'disclaimer' for this blog, as this is all my 'opinion' and I am not stating it as 'facts'.....

Comments

  1. shreyas27 November 2021 at 22:21

    கண்ணால் காண்பதும் பொய், காதால் கேட்பதும் பொய், தீர விசாரித்து அறிவதே மெய். இது பழைய வாக்கு. இதோடு பத்திரிகை, மற்றும் சமூக வலை தளத்தில் படிப்பதும் பொய் என்று சேர்த்து கொள்ள வேண்டியது இன்றைய அவசியம்

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Theriappan27 November 2021 at 22:32

      முற்றிலும் உண்மை. நன்றி.

      Delete

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