What’s in a word? More meaning than you or I could even imagine. There was an old word called lying, epitomized in our American myth of George Washington and the cherry tree. That word was first softened to “misrepresentation,” which is lying. Now we have a new word: disinformation, spreading lies, primarily on social media.
Pekka Kallioniemi, a Finnish social scientist focusing on how humans engage with technology and how it transforms us as individuals and societies, stated in a recent interview that the U.S. is losing the disinformation war against Russia, China, and Iran, which has contributed to the increased polarization in American society.
It works quite simply, if you look at it. Someone deliberately posts a “story” on social media which feeds into some pre-conceived conspiracy notions, aimed at a particular group, such as “global elites” or immigrants. And the story, which in the old fashioned word, is a lie. As it spreads, it is called disinformation and increases our polarization. Debunking a lie on social media takes time, but by then it has spread beyond control.
Prayer for the Day
How is it, O God, that we believe what we want to,
Rather than facing uncomfortable truths?
What do we fear, O Lord, in hearing the truth,
The choices we face when trying to live your call?
Break down the walls that separate us in our world,
So we are able to share your word of love and peace.
In the name of the One who can break down every wall,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
The initial lie often sticks in people's minds. So, AI can be used, but right now, we don’t have the mechanisms to counter it effectively … The side with the smarter system will win.
Pekka Kallioniemi, from an interview
Whistleblowing came into my mind as a concept early on in my life through a movie “All the President’s Men” which tells a real-life story about journalists working with Deep Throat, a whistleblower whose testimony led to the Watergate scandal.
Martin Laine, Estonian investigative journalist
Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and all the people, saying, saying, “It is the Lord who sent me to prophesy against this house and this city all the words you have heard. Now, therefore amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the Lord your God.
Jeremiah 26: 12-13a.