Sunday, February 1, 2009
Facts can save your life
Surprisingly, this chapter was both interesting and entertaining, as well as shocking and disturbing! Does anyone else think it's funny that this book tells us to question everything and anything? So, does that mean we are supposed to question every fact and story they tell us? I guess I am too much of a skeptic to even listen to this book. I obvious don't believe everything I read or see, but I don't particularly believe everything in this book either. The section about cheap vs expensive products didn't do much for me. If you buy a $20 blender at a store vs a $60 blender from a well-known company, there is a good chance that the more expensive blender will last longer, blend quicker, have more settings, have a better warranty, etc. As a college student, I am totally for saving money and buying cheaper versions of many products, (Vald anyone?) but I would never assume that they are of the same quality as their picer twins. Why do you think the products are cheaper? Most likely because they are made with cheaper materials. This is an idea where checking facts definitely plays a major role. The section about war was astonishing to me! I cannot believe there is so much misinformation about wars and conflicts. The story about the Iraqi "baby killers" was absurd! Why would someone ever use a story like that to promote the killing of more people? That seriously baffles me. But like I said, is EVERYTHING in this book true? If we are supposed to question everything, where do we start and when do we stop? While this book is clearly filled with valuable information that is revelant today, should we question it as well?
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I agree with your blender scenario. It is the same way with most products, especially technological ones--the more expensive they are, the longer they last and the better they work. Unfortunately, for college students, it is difficult to come up with the means for those decent products. I also like that you ask when we should stop questioning things. I hadn't thought about it, but I agree with your notion that if the book tells us to question everything, should we then question the book as well?
ReplyDeleteSo glad you brought the idea of questioning unSpun in it entirety. That is what they are coaching us to do isn’t it? I have a friend who changes his opinion, often times radically, after every single book he reads. While I often get caught up in persuading reads, it is important to build upon your core, not making a 180 degree turn with every piece of altering information. Can you say dizzy? Haha. So far is seems unSpun is doing a constructive job of uncovering dirt to provide us with the tools to gain knowledge of facts, not misinformation. However, it wouldn’t hurt to Google some reviews, would it?
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