You Don't Know What You Don't Know

to continue a theme

When I wrote on Thursday, I used this phrase for the sense that there is an awful lot of information out there about which I know absolutely nothing. And I’m fine with that because quite frankly I have enough to read to keep me busy for three more lifetimes. But when I think I know something about a subject, I am always shocked to discover nooks and crannies of it which have escaped me.

So to the topic of “influencers” which is currently the term used for those digital profligates who amass millions of followers. The problem is, there are a ton of them out there who are spewing absolute rubbish. Case in point is one about whom I knew nothing until my trusty NYTimes did an article on him yesterday. His name is Benny Johnson and he almost outdoes the current idiot-in-chief for grifting. What really terrifies me is that he was afforded a seat in the royal court at that recent “cabinet meeting” cum fest. Remember when (what seems like a hundred years ago) the AP was removed from the press pool? No wonder we all have the feeling that the world has turned upside down.

This plagiarizing ne’er-do-well joins Laura Loomer as a subject matter expert whispering in dear leader’s ear on subjects such as the danger of mail-in voting among other false claims. And there is evidence to suggest that these nut jobs were at one time funded by the Kremlin. See your trusty internet sources for more details about RT and the millions of dollars which passed into these influencers’ hands.

Please, oh please. DO NOT BELIEVE the crap you hear from these malignant voices which have been funded to bring down our democracy. If you are like me, you have never even heard of them much less watched their daily drivel. I understand that YouTube hosts a lot of them without any vetting.

I once did an internship at a daily newspaper, and frankly I consider reporting a very high calling. The New Yorker recently did a whole article about what lengths they go to when confirming facts. When the people who tell you to do your own research are manipulating what and who you believe, try very hard to look up sources they don’t recommend. Obviously, some publications have a direct bias and it becomes very clear what their agenda is—but actual newspapers (including all the other digital adjuncts of these legacy names) are still attempting to follow the five W’s of reporting: Who, What, When, Where, and Why. That is all you need to know, although some articles will also include the How. Subjective opinion pieces should always be labeled as such and treated accordingly.

And now I’ve spent my previously soothing Sunday morning getting my knickers in a twist. Let me remember instead my delightful walkies to Fort Trumbull, a reminder of the Revolutionary War. I encountered a few other walkers, and a couple of adorable doggies, so my day began with Peace and Love. Let it continue and spread far and wide.

RESIST ALWAYS

TTFN