How Do We Uncover The Real Truth In Today's News? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

How Do We Uncover The Real Truth In Today's News?

Featuring the war on authenticity.

15
How Do We Uncover The Real Truth In Today's News?
Kayla Velasquez // Unsplash

We’ve all been there. High school.

A time when you and your friends would scoff at the wanna-bees.

“No, they’re not real (insert stereotype here)”

Well here we are, most of us out of high school, and yet we’re still battling over who’s who and what’s what.

“No, that’s not real democracy. Real democracy is __________.”

Now, normally, this isn't a problem. Diversity of opinion is mostly a beautiful thing.

But when you can’t agree on definitions, it tends to lead to disagreeing about facts.

For instance, the definition of a mass shooting.

CNN defines a mass shooting as “having four or more fatalities, not including gang killings or slayings that involve the death of multiple family members".

Congress redefined “mass shooting” in 2013 as a “murder of three or more people".

Mass Shooting Tracker defines mass shootings as, “any incident in which four or more people are shot, whether injured or killed”.

This may seem like such a minor difference, but it affects statistics greatly.

If a mass shooting is characterized by some as four or more people being shot, and by others as three murdered people, you’re going to get different numbers.

But which one is right?

Obviously, when you’re writing a paper and trying to make a point, you’ll choose the statistic that helps strengthen your argument.

Unfortunately, this is both unethical and factually incorrect.

In this day and age of nonstop information, there has been a halt on truth. A war on facts. We’re being fed white lies with no lie detector to hold people accountable.

Just like a stressed out college student, political parties have warped statistics in order to support their own agendas.

(And yes, this is unethical and factually incorrect)

A perfect example would be of Trump and his “Alternative Facts” he seems to rely on, time and time again.

In what world is it acceptable for America, one of the strongest nations, to have a leader who goes on twitter rants like a moody teenager and believes Obama wiretapped his microwaves?

I mean, come on.

He promised to “Make America Great Again”. I propose we make “America Great Again, Again”.

#dumptrump

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
12 Things To Do On A Snow Day

Everyone loves a snow day! Whether you decide to call out sick from work or your classes get canceled, it is a great way to spend time with family and friends.

1. Build a snowman

People brave enough to face the weather can go outside to build an adorable man made of snow. Relive those childhood glory days, but remember to bundle up!

Keep Reading...Show less
April Ludgate
NBC Universal

Everyone who is in college right now, or has ever been, knows the struggle of pulling in the strings at the last second. It seems impossible, and you have to do a LOT of things in order to assure your future for the next semester.

April Ludgate, historically, is a very annoyed person, and she doesn't hide it. Of all the times that I binged and re-binged "Parks and Rec," her attitude relates more and more to me.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

To The Cheerful Person On Their Rainy Days, You Are Valid

The world is not always sunshine and rainbows, and you do not have to be, either.

688
pug covered with blanket on bedspread
Photo by Matthew Henry on Unsplash

Ask friends of mine to name a quality about me, and one a lot them will point out the fact that I am almost always smiling. I like to laugh and smile -- not to quote Buddy the Elf in April, but smiling is my favorite! It is probably my favorite go-to expression. However, what a lot of people do not see is that I have my down days. I have days when smiling and laughing is a real struggle, or when I have so much on my plate that going out of my way to behappy takes more effort than I have stored in me. Be it a symptom of college and growing up or a facet of life, I cannot always be content.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

11 Struggles of Packing for College

It would be so much easier to just pay someone to do it for you

683
a room with boxes and a window

1. Figuring out when to start

Timing is key, you don’t want to start too early or too late.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

15 Times 'Parks and Recreation' Has Summed Up Your Life

Relatable moments from one of the best shows I have ever watched.

443
parks and rec
Liz Keysmash

Amidst my hectic college career, I always find time for one thing, even on the busiest weeks: Parks and Recreation. This show has made me laugh and has made me cry, but most of all I have related to this show more than I would like to admit.

Here are some "Parks and Rec" moments that relate to life struggles that just about everyone faces.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments