I have written elsewhere: "set aside videos of cute kittens or adolescents cracking up their skateboards. Let's focus on those other things - political, social, religious, etc. - which get posted on social media and spread like wildfire!" I invite you to read the first two parts of this series before reading Part III: "I don't... Continue Reading →
“I don’t believe it!” Thoughts on truth and social media, Part II
In Part I I began an extended-play rant against internet disinformation. I'm against it for two reasons: I don't like false information; I don't like to look foolish when I fall for it. Here are other areas where we need to show some healthy skepticism: ECHO CHAMBER EFFECT In 2015 the social media were packed with... Continue Reading →
“I don’t believe it!” Thoughts on truth and social media, Part I
"You must not pass along false rumors." Exodus 23:1 My friends know what a skeptical soul I am. Whenever I see a post on the social media, my first reaction is to shake my head and say, “Yes, but, how do you know this to be so?” And they know me as the one who... Continue Reading →
“The Paranoid Style in American Politics” has its 50th Anniversary
[One of my few blog entries on politics, and how it relates to psychology, sociology, and modern apocalyptic eschatology. Here is a full pdf version: Paranoid Style Turns 50_Shogren] Because of his ability to describe and predict American political behavior, Richard Hofstadter’s “The Paranoid Style in American Politics” should be required reading for the citizen. And... Continue Reading →
“Four Blood Moons” and a false prophet
[Additional Note, Aug 6 2014. Of course the Blood Moon teachers are announcing, Aha! I told you that Israel and Gaza would go to war! Well, of course they predicted no such thing, but when someone says that "something will happen"; and then something, anything happens; one can then claim, See, I told you something would... Continue Reading →