With Current News - take time to investigate (exhale first)

[Vine Abider]

I thought of putting this in the political section, but it's not really about politics.  It is just something to hopefully learn from.

This afternoon I checked my fav internet news site and several big headlines were splashed acrossed it about the forceable dejection of a US senator from a Dept. of Homeland Security news conference in LA.  So I watched the video and was quite disturbed and alarmed by what I saw - the FBI forcefully ejected this senator from the room, took him into the hallway and forced him to the ground, where they handcuffed him.

The headlines and news accounts of this incident had quotes from various politicians who quickly pointed a lot of fingers and decried the state of our democracy, etc. & etc.

But before I could look more into this occurrence, I had a commitment with my wife, to help her with something.  I told her I had seen this occurrence that was disturbing to me.  She asked for more details and said I should do the same (she has what I'd call a robust natural skepticism).

After being finished with helping her, I went back and read things in closer detail.  While the scene was still disturbing, there was other information coming out that appeared to show that the senator had walked impromptu into the press conference room, without wearing visible ID, and approached the podium where the DHS director was speaking, where he appears to interrupt her.  He did identify himself as a senator, but again, I could see no ID visible on him (various accounts I read seemed to confirm this). The FBI treated him as a risk. This was all still disturbing, but I could now see a little better as to why things happened the way they did - they couldn't immediately verify who this person was approaching the DHS director's podium.  And probably within a day or two, more information will be known that puts things in better perspective (this is regardless of what part of the political spectrum you are on).

My wife was right (yes, I admit it!) - more information was needed to be gathered to make a better judgement. My first reaction was not based on complete information (not saying I have complete info now, but at least better I think).

So, my point is that in these times, when events can really play on our emotions, let's be sure not to have too much of a knee-jerk reaction, based on our initial exposure.  I'm telling myself that when I first see these things hit the news, give it at maybe a day to allow for more information to surface, things to be verified, etc.

(and as Christians, to perhaps say a little prayer like, "Lord, what do You think about this? Am I having the proper reaction?  Please shine Your light.")

[AnOrangeCat]

35 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

So, my point is that in these times, when events can really play on our emotions, let's be sure not to have too much of a knee-jerk reaction, based on our initial exposure.  I'm telling myself that when I first see these things hit the news, give it at maybe a day to allow for more information to surface, things to be verified, etc.

This is especially true of current times. AI video might not be super convincing yet, but give it a few years. We already see a lot of journalism that puts a spin on things to push an agenda. When things get to the point where people can just type in some words and generate convincing "evidence" in a matter of minutes it's going to get even worse and has the potential to create some seriously dangerous situations.

[teddyv]

8 minutes ago, AnOrangeCat said:

This is especially true of current times. AI video might not be super convincing yet, but give it a few years. We already see a lot of journalism that puts a spin on things to push an agenda. When things get to the point where people can just type in some words and generate convincing "evidence" in a matter of minutes it's going to get even worse and has the potential to create some seriously dangerous situations.

The AI slop is a travesty.

[Sower]

3 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

So, my point is that in these times, when events can really play on our emotions, let's be sure not to have too much of a knee-jerk reaction, based on our initial exposure.  I'm telling myself that when I first see these things hit the news, give it at maybe a day to allow for more information to surface, things to be verified, etc.

                           

      " in these times, when events can really play on our emotions,
let's be sure not to have too much of a knee-jerk reaction, based on our initial exposure"

Agreed!

I use try to use the same/similar judgement here on this forum, especially end times 'event' discussions.
In my understanding of this I believe we could be snatched tonight, or when I become a great great grand pa.

Doesn't matter to me, the house is ready. And only God KNOWS the when. 

I hold onto the fact God is still on the throne and he will never leave nor forsake us. So I Press on.
I do not remember how many times I have heard statements or watched videos here that caused concern,
only to search them out to find them false/fake.

Quick to listen, (emotions triggered), slow to speak (react). Working on that.
Old saying;  "Don't believe anything you hear and half what you see"

Quote;

"The exact quote "Don't believe anything you hear and half what you see" is attributed to

Edgar Allan Poe.  The quote emphasizes skepticism and critical thinking. It serves as a reminder to:

Question information received verbally, as exaggeration or misinformation can occur.

Approach visual information with caution, as appearances can be deceiving. Even eyewitness accounts may be unreliable. 

In essence, the quote encourages the exercise of independent judgment instead of blind acceptance of information. 

Thanks VA...
 

 

[D. Adrien]

One word: Discernment. Know the material so as not to be deceived.

[BibleStudent100]

10 hours ago, teddyv said:

The AI slop is a travesty.

I would not view AI as sloppy, but rather alarming as it is quickly getting better and better and creating convincing content.  We all grew up with the view of "I know what I saw."  But what did we really "see"?  How accurate was the event that we "saw"?  

So Vine's admonition to wait, digest and ponder what we see on the news and in social media is outstanding advice as it becomes increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction.

Regarding this matter in a greater context, might Satan be rejoicing at all this confusion in understanding the "truth," as he would love to create a world wherein we are in a "post-truth" environment?  In other words, if Satan can convince humans that there is NO "truth," as determining what is "truth" is so complicated to ascertain, then that in itself is an advancement of the Devil's agenda.

[Dennis1209]

If I sat down and thought about it, I could name a dozen events where a segment of society jumped to conclusions before all the facts were established. As mentioned, it is more crucial than ever to consider where we glean our information from.

Journalism, facts, and objective reporting is a rare commodity these days. Sensationalism, spin, half-truths, bias, propaganda, and hatred are the liberal agenda, perverting and lying to shape public opinion and emotions for votes and an agenda.

Look at our replacement generation; they have not been educated but indoctrinated by drinking the grape Kool-Aid.

Since the Vietnam era campus draft dodgers and protestors, many of these people have made a concerted effort to infiltrate politics, education, news media, and Hollywood.

There are so many today who think and act on hate, bias, and raw emotion, have lost critical thinking and reasoning, and have lost any semblance of morals and values. How much longer before our grade school children hold school protests and riots?

Tell a big enough lie long enough, and people will start to believe it. ~J.G.

[Vine Abider]

3 hours ago, BibleStudent100 said:

Regarding this matter in a greater context, might Satan be rejoicing at all this confusion in understanding the "truth," as he would love to create a world wherein we are in a "post-truth" environment?  In other words, if Satan can convince humans that there is NO "truth," as determining what is "truth" is so complicated to ascertain, then that in itself is an advancement of the Devil's agenda.

Absolutely! Because he'd like nothing less than to steal from, kill and destroy us.  So he delights when we get all caught up and distracted by various events, all the while not seeing he who is the true enemy.

[Vine Abider]

I would add that we also need to be careful where we are getting information.  Many, of not most, news outlets are about sensationalizing things for their primary audience.  Therefore, I often go to a website called Allsides that lists articles from right, left and center on a particular topic. 

Allsides also sometimes does an analysis of a particular issue, which they did here for the LA illegal immigrant crackdown, showing how news sources will slant things toward their particular bias: Split Narratives: Media Push Extreme Conclusions on LA Immigration Protests, Violence | AllSides