How can it be possible?

How did we allow our Nation to be split into two diametrically opposed factions?

How did we allow our Nation to be split into two diametrically opposed factions?

As a devoted student of history, politics,? and geopolitical developments, I always carefully studied the platforms advocated by opposing candidates, and parties, ?in elections.

However, over the last nine years, I become increasingly concerned by the accelerated growth of misinformation, disinformation, and outright lies that contributed to the malicious conspiracy theories that? many of our fellow citizens are gravitating towards, and believing as the “truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”

Why and how is it possible that tens of millions, if not hundreds of millions, ?of our 332 million population have abandoned their sense of curiosity and interest in the truth, facts, history, reality, empirical evidence, and more?

I tried to analyze, (repeat…tried…) apply logic, research methodologies, and other practices that have previously helped me understand significant societal changes, so that I may properly interpret the consequences of this phenomenon in the greater context of the continuum that the study of history provides.

I will not proclaim to have found the answers, root-cause, or epicenter of this dilemma. I can, however, share some of the very many factors I ?uncovered, which ?can be considered contributors to the dilemma.

Why do so many of our fellow citizens choose to believe in the malicious conspiracy theories, and not the factual events, supported by empirical evidence, data, and true accounts? I will share just 10 of the hundreds of contributors.

1.?Myopia: They are only receiving their information from one-sided media outlets, and choose not to even attempt to obtain a balance by looking for a point-counterpoint.

2.?Lack of History: Lack of historical knowledge, or interest in history as a source of information.

3.?Fear: Fear of all activities, people, programs, and environment that is different from their comfort zone.

4.?Cultural Ignorance. Not educational, but ?cultural ignorance. No interest or acceptance of different customs.

5?Hate/hatred: I am sharing the definition of hate/hatred that I coined decades ago: ?"A complex and unfortunate convergence of Cultural Ignorance and Fear!”

6.Misinformation: The manipulation of facts—augmented by hateful rhetoric—that yields malicious distortions of the truth, and therefore disinformation.

7.No curiosity for the truth: One example is the ongoing falsehood that the 2020 Presidential election was “stolen”. Of course, if we study the? facts, data, and the? empirical evidence, we know that it was not stolen.

8. Self Centered: Special interest, personal interest, greed: The truth is not convenient in their pursuit of their selfish needs

9.Social media: The open, unchecked platforms that are willing to help spread the lies, and conspiracy theories

10. No foresight: Not concerned about the serious consequences of their allegiance to conspiracy theories and those who originate them.

A possible solution to address and remedy this very serious threat to our society, is to always inspect both sides of the coin, apply logic.

• Follow your mind, your heart and your conscience to help guide your when you vote.
• Please vote to help save our democracy, the rule of law, and civil discourse by all.

Thank you for reading.

Francesco

#misinformation #disinformation #Conspiracy theories #truth #facts #empirical evidence #logic #elections #vote #voting #democracy #ruleof law #freedom #justice #Civil discourse

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