‘Fake news’ is an existential threat to institutions - say institutions

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Vice Provost Chancellors and Chief Executive Directors all across the Seychelles have been hosting faculty luncheons to explain the phenomenon to our bosses' bosses.

“As an individual, if my distrust in others’ competence and sincerity reaches critical levels, I will stop trusting them to be capable of making joint decisions that fundamentally shape and determine my life”

“Major democratic institutions, such as the UK’s House of Commons and the European Commission, have correctly identified fake news as a threat to their values and processes"

Mutual distrust has grave consequences for democracy, as citizens may come to view laws, processes or even the democratic system itself as no longer worthy of respect

In a follow up communication, CEO Vishal Garg of Better.com added “WAKE UP BETTER TEAM. You are TOO DAMN SLOW. You are a bunch of DUMB DOLPHINS and…DUMB DOLPHINS get caught in nets and eaten by sharks. SO STOP IT. STOP IT. STOP IT RIGHT NOW. YOU ARE EMBARRASSING ME.”

There will be new administrative appointments at the Cxx and honorary level to oversee dolphin duties. Thank you for your attention - now back to work (if I forgot to say that). Don't forget to Love Our Values™ - Be Love Be Best™ Happy Work Happy™ - wash your hands and try being fast instead of slow. And not dumb. Your welcome

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: ‘Fake news’ is an existential threat to institutions - say institutions

Showcasing the value of our venerable institutions, Supreme Court Justice Alito has mocked Prince Harry at the United Nations over comments about "the decision whose name may not be spoken". Alito‘s comments were met with laughter from the wise and honorable decision-makers, religious-leaders and celebrities heading our institutions - possibly including Ivanka Trump, Emma Watson and Ricky Martin.

[Johny Joe Hold]

Re: ‘Fake news’ is an existential threat to institutions - say institutions

We've had such a series of events that involved embarrassment for great institutions. The Office of Vice President in one. VP Pence could have raised the profile and prestige of that office by merely firing the Electoral College nobodies and replacing them with Trump supporters. He could have made himself a hero and not be unemployed as he is right now.

The U.S. Senate is another. Minority Chair Mitch McConnell could have increased the prestige of that august body by merely agreeing Trump, not Biden, was the 2020 winner. Now McConnell is not on speaking terms with Trump and people are laughing at the feckless U.S. Senate.

[Dennis Lukes]

Re: ‘Fake news’ is an existential threat to institutions - say institutions

Hey, fake news IS an existential threat to everything we hold dear. Fake news like the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden beating Trump in the 2020 election, Russia being the bad guy in the War of Ukrainian Aggression, climate change being real, and so on have done immense damage.

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: ‘Fake news’ is an existential threat to institutions - say institutions

Hey, fake news IS an existential threat to everything we hold dear. Fake news like the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden beating Trump in the 2020 election, Russia being the bad guy in the War of Ukrainian Aggression, climate change being real, and so on have done immense damage.

Absolutely true, Brother Lukes. It calls for an absolute dictator to restore absolute values. Relativism has failed.

[Dennis Lukes]

Re: ‘Fake news’ is an existential threat to institutions - say institutions

Absolutely true, Brother Lukes. It calls for an absolute dictator to restore absolute values. Relativism has failed.

A-freaking-men Dr. Toole. My shortlist of possible candidates would include Steve Bannon, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Enrique Tarrio, Richard Spencer, or David Duke.

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: ‘Fake news’ is an existential threat to institutions - say institutions

Fine choices, Brother. About time we had some leadership that was strong on law and order, especially with the hardware police have available nowadays.

I should point out to readers of this forum there is no place for violence in a healthy democracy. Except of course when watering the tree of liberty. To continue quoting Jefferson, what country can preserve it’s liberties if their rulers are not warned from time to time that their people preserve the spirit of resistance? Let them take up arms.

Polls show an increasing number of Americans are comfortable with political violence. An apparent increase in threats against public servants has sparked concerns about the health of American democracy. Acts of political violence carried out in the US are unevenly distributed across the ideological spectrum. According to a study conducted by the Anti-Defamation League, rightwing extremists have committed about 75% of the 450 political murders that occurred in the US over the past decade. In comparison, Islamic extremists were responsible for about 20% of the murders, while dangerous leftwing extremists were blamed for 4% of the killings.

The message is unambiguous and clear. Progressive congresswomen like Ilhan Omar and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez need to call off their "Squad" and stop provoking regular Americans like Margorie Taylor Greene into violence. As she herself says: "I never mean anything for violence. All of my words never, ever, mean anything for violence."

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: ‘Fake news’ is an existential threat to institutions - say institutions

Speaking of violence, nuclear Armageddon is closer than ever before. The Doomsday Clock, which started at 2 minutes to midnight in 1947 (99.72% chance of Armageddon), is presently at 1:40 minutes to midnight (99.77% chance of Armageddon).

Personally I do not care for prophecy (Matthew 24:36) but 99.77% seems like good odds. I don't think even Harold Camping was that confident about his stuff nor the Prophet Hen of Leeds, which in 1806 laid eggs inscribed with the message “Christ is coming".

I hope the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists take good care of their future-predicting fowl (or whatever method they use). I will be counting down the final seconds until they next update the cuckoo clock.

[Dr. Anthony J. Toole]

Re: ‘Fake news’ is an existential threat to institutions - say institutions

Disgusting opinion piece in the fake "Fake News" today.

Trump’s worst toadies hold degrees from Harvard and Yale.

The core of a good liberal arts education is ethics. The central question is the meaning of a good society. This has been the case since the 18th century, when most of America’s prestigious institutions of higher education were founded.

This new crop of Republican pretenders ... are practitioners of a much earlier and more cynical set of ideas: that might makes right, that the purpose of human endeavor is to gain power, and that ambition and treachery trump (excuse the verb) all other values.

While I respect education as much as the next highly educated board appointee, I disagree with the author's premise that it serves some kind of noble pursuit. No, the point is to win. You do whatever it takes to win - even if that means starting on 3rd base with a silver spoon in your mouth and sucking up to power. That's what decent institutions instill in our young men, because it works!