Do certain spots in our culture get a pass on honesty? In a recent discussion with my son his proposition was that the news media has always been biased. He brought up the news coverage of the Boston Massacre, Yellow Journalism and the propaganda of World War II. Expecting the average reporter to be objective about truth is naive and pointless. They usually either lie or believe that what they want is truth. Not only is that consistent with New Age thinking, it is consistent with the Christian view of original sin. His advice was, “Get over it.”
Should we “get over it”?
Think of the different areas that we are lied to on a regular basis. Reporters in the main stream media have a hard time seeking truth. For them the mantra might be, “What are you going to believe, me or your lying eyes?” Whether it is Trump Derangement Syndrom or Global Warming the observable facts seem to be ignored to advance the agenda of the left. When Obama or Clinton did it, praise. When Bush or Trump does the same, shock. I am not sure that the news sources of the right are always innocent of this method of reporting. I know I never read anything without my baloney meter turned on high.
Politicians? I know that if they have a “D” by their name they are just repeating the DNC talking points. It is depressing how lock step the Democrats are. The Republicans also have their share of self-serving hacks. We are used to it and expect it. Should we?
How about sales and advertising. Do you believe what you see on the label. One of my favorites is a bag of lemon drops that advertised it was a “fat free food”. Yes, but it was all sugar. Then you have the packages that say “sugar free”. True, but they often have another sweetener that has just as many calories. This one I can live with by ignoring it or buying a different product.
Then think about the fiction we read and watch. Was Homer one of the original liars? Is the “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” deceitful? I always like the marital arts characters who knock people across the room and they come back for more. Really? I can only suspend belief so much.
We have learned to live with untruth. In entertainment it is suspending reality for the purposes of enjoyment. Maybe we should accept the news and the news makers as just other entertainers. Are vocalists crooning about how much they love us really any different than a senator telling us he is concerned about the good of the country.
I would take it all with a grain of salt but they tell me salt is bad for me.
homo unius libri
What should be STRIVED for is honesty. Even the biased media of the past didn't ignore ALL facts. That can't be said about the talking heads of today. Morals are declining on all fronts, so we basically can't trust ANYONE, even including most preachers (sadly enough).
ReplyDeletePreach it, Bro.
ReplyDeleteGrace and peace