Crap Detection 102:
Where to detect the spewing of crap
While Howard Rheingold uses Hemingway as a great example for using the 'crap detection' methods, he centralizes the issue too much on Internet websites. Hemingway was born in 1899, and did not assume that his methods of detecting crappy information would pertain directly to the world wide web, but to every aspect of information gathering.
I do agree that everybody should have a crap detector built into them; it is common sense to use your common sense. The problem is when people use their detection skills, it is usually towards an unknown target (such as a little-known website) because of their distrust and unfamiliarity. However, these same people would be less prone to try and detect any crap spewing from their favourite news channels and political parties.
For example, most people do not know that the Gulf of Tonkin incident (which was the main reason why the USA began the Vietnam War) did not actually happen, and was fabricated in order to persuade the public into starting a war. If you are one of the few who did know this little-known fact, give yourself a clap on the back for your astounding crap detection.
Hemingway believed in constant crap detection because he knew that humans are prone to deceiving others (and occasionally, themselves). It is human to err, and it is human to deceive; therefore, a writer must be vigilant when gathering information. This includes every aspect of information, whether it be the Internet, a news broadcast, or a political speech.
Image taken from Iowansforpeace.net
Atempting to clap back.
ReplyDeleteYou bring up some interesting points in your post, Kevin. I would definately agree that using common sense is just common sense, but if one has no common sense, he or she would be unable to use common sense. If that makes any sense...
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