How has “fake news” come to exist and spread so rapidly? Why do you think this happens? How is “fake news” harmful? What are the long- and short-term effects and consequences of being a consumer of “fake news”? How does it affect each of us? How can we, as consumers and sharers of news, learn to identify potential “fake news” stories? Support your discussion with reliable sources.
Sample solution
Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell.
In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.
God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.
Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.
To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.
References
Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.
Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.
Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.
Sample Answer
Sample Answer
The Proliferation of “Fake News”: Causes, Harm, and Strategies for Consumers
Introduction
The rise of “fake news” has become a concerning phenomenon in the digital era. This essay delves into the causes behind the existence and rapid spread of fake news, discusses its harmful effects, and explores the short- and long-term consequences for consumers. Furthermore, it provides strategies for consumers to identify potential fake news stories, allowing them to make informed decisions when engaging with news content.
Causes of “Fake News”
Ease of Digital Publishing: The advent of social media and online platforms has made it effortless for anyone to publish and disseminate information without proper fact-checking or editorial oversight. This lack of gatekeeping enables the spread of false information.
Confirmation Bias and Filter Bubbles: Individuals tend to seek out information that aligns with their existing beliefs, leading to the formation of echo chambers where misinformation can thrive. Social media algorithms often reinforce these biases by presenting users with content similar to what they have previously engaged with.
Financial Incentives: Fake news websites often generate revenue through online advertising. The more sensational or controversial the content, the more likely it is to attract clicks and generate ad revenue. This financial motivation incentivizes the creation and dissemination of false information.
Political Manipulation and Disinformation Campaigns: Some instances of fake news are intentionally created to manipulate public opinion or sow discord. State-sponsored disinformation campaigns are designed to influence elections, create social unrest, or undermine trust in institutions.
Harmful Effects of “Fake News”
Misinformation and Misleading the Public: Fake news misleads individuals by presenting false or distorted information as factual, damaging public trust in news sources. This can have severe consequences in areas such as public health, politics, and social issues.
Polarization and Division: Fake news perpetuates existing divisions within society by amplifying partisan narratives and reinforcing biases. It hampers constructive dialogue, promotes hostility, and deepens societal divisions.
Undermining Democracy: Fake news can undermine democratic processes by manipulating public opinion, influencing elections, and eroding trust in democratic institutions. This threatens the foundations of a functioning democracy.
Psychological Impact: Consuming fake news can lead to feelings of confusion, anxiety, and mistrust. Exposure to false information may also affect an individual’s perception of reality and their ability to make informed decisions.
Short- and Long-Term Effects on Consumers
Short-Term Effects: In the short term, consumers of fake news may experience a temporary distortion of reality, leading to misinformed opinions or actions. They may also fall victim to scams or fraudulent activities based on false information.
Long-Term Effects: Over time, repeated exposure to fake news can erode trust in media institutions and lead to apathy or disengagement from civic affairs. It can contribute to societal polarization, hinder critical thinking skills, and weaken democratic processes.
Identifying Potential “Fake News” Stories
Verify Sources: Rely on reputable sources with a history of accurate reporting. Check if other credible news outlets are reporting the same information.
Fact-Check: Utilize fact-checking websites such as Snopes or FactCheck.org to verify the accuracy of a story or claim.
Evaluate Bias: Be aware of potential bias in news sources and seek out multiple perspectives on an issue.
Examine the Evidence: Look for supporting evidence within an article or story. Lack of verifiable evidence or reliance on anonymous sources can be red flags.
Question Headlines and URLs: Misleading or sensational headlines are often used to attract attention. Verify the source’s domain name for any alterations or unfamiliar extensions.
Consider Expert Opinion: Seek out expert analysis or commentary on complex issues to ensure a well-rounded understanding.
Conclusion
The proliferation of fake news is a result of various factors, including ease of digital publishing, confirmation bias, financial incentives, and political manipulation. Fake news harms society by spreading misinformation, deepening polarization, undermining democracy, and impacting individuals’ psychological well-being. As consumers and sharers of news, it is crucial to learn how to identify potential fake news stories by verifying sources, fact-checking claims, evaluating bias, examining evidence, questioning headlines and URLs, and considering expert opinion. By adopting these strategies, individuals can become more discerning consumers of news and contribute towards combating the spread of fake news in the digital age.
Sources:
Allcott, H., & Gentzkow, M. (2017). Social Media and Fake News in the 2016 Election. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 31(2), 211-236.
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Lewandowsky, S., Ecker, U., & Cook, J. (2017). Beyond Misinformation: Understanding and Coping with the “Post-Truth” Era. Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition, 6(4), 353-369.
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Wardle, C., & Derakhshan, H. (2017). Information Disorder: Toward an Interdisciplinary Framework for Research and Policy Making. Council of Europe Report.
Zollo, F., et al. (2017). Debunking in a World of Tribes. PNAS Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 114(3), 597-602.
