Differences among types of information and protect yourself from being misled or harmed.

by | Nov 5, 2024 | Analysis

 

 

To recognize differences among types of information and protect yourself from being misled or harmed.

It is important to understand the differences among information, disinformation, misinformation, and mal-information because each can have significant impacts on how we perceive and understand the world around us. According to UNESCO (Ireton & Posetti, 2018):

Information refers to the factual and accurate knowledge that is presented with the intent of informing and educating. Information can be obtained from credible sources and can help us make informed decisions.
Misinformation refers to information that is false but is not necessarily intended to mislead. Misinformation can be spread unintentionally, such as through rumors or misunderstandings, or intentionally, such as through satire or clickbait headlines.
Disinformation refers to deliberately false or misleading information that is spread with the intent to deceive or manipulate. Disinformation can be used to promote a particular agenda or to undermine the credibility of individuals or institutions.
Mal-information refers to true information that is shared with the intent to harm or deceive. Mal-information can include selectively sharing information out of context, using true information to spread conspiracy theories, or sharing personal information with the intent to harm an individual or a group.
Activity:
After reviewing the Week 3 Learning Resources, reply to this post with a thoughtful, comprehensive response that addresses the following:

A. Research an example of misinformation or misrepresentation on the internet or in social media (such as image or text manipulation, information distortion, fiction, selection editing, and bias).

B. Provide some background for context in your reply to this post. Include a URL for the example in your response so that we all can review your example.

C. Then, respond to the following questions:

Why, in your opinion, is this an example of misinformation or misrepresentation?
Why do you think it is egregious?
How does bias play a role in this example’s misinformation /misrepresentation?

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.


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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.

A Case of Misinformation: The “Pizzagate” Conspiracy Theory

Background In late 2016, a conspiracy theory known as “Pizzagate” gained traction on social media platforms, particularly 4chan and Reddit. The theory alleged that a child sex ring was operating out of a Washington, D.C. pizzeria, Comet Ping Pong. This false narrative was fueled by manipulated images and distorted interpretations of online content.

Why is this Misinformation? Pizzagate is a classic example of disinformation because it was deliberately fabricated to deceive and manipulate public opinion. The theory was based on a series of false claims, including:

  • Image Manipulation: Images were manipulated to create a false narrative linking the pizzeria to child sex trafficking.

A Case of Misinformation: The “Pizzagate” Conspiracy Theory

Background In late 2016, a conspiracy theory known as “Pizzagate” gained traction on social media platforms, particularly 4chan and Reddit. The theory alleged that a child sex ring was operating out of a Washington, D.C. pizzeria, Comet Ping Pong. This false narrative was fueled by manipulated images and distorted interpretations of online content.

Why is this Misinformation? Pizzagate is a classic example of disinformation because it was deliberately fabricated to deceive and manipulate public opinion. The theory was based on a series of false claims, including:

  • Image Manipulation: Images were manipulated to create a false narrative linking the pizzeria to child sex trafficking.
  • Misinterpretation of Online Content: Innocent comments and online discussions were misinterpreted and twisted to fit the conspiracy theory.
  • Targeted Harassment: The spread of this misinformation led to real-world consequences, including harassment and threats against the pizzeria owner and employees.

Why is it Egregious? Pizzagate is particularly egregious because it led to real-world violence. In December 2016, a North Carolina man, inspired by the conspiracy theory, entered Comet Ping Pong with a rifle and fired several shots. Fortunately, no one was injured, but the incident highlighted the dangerous potential of online misinformation.

The Role of Bias Bias played a significant role in the spread of Pizzagate. The theory appealed to pre-existing biases and fears among certain groups, making it easier to believe and share the misinformation. Confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out information that confirms one’s existing beliefs, also contributed to the spread of the conspiracy.

It is crucial to be vigilant and critically evaluate information, especially when it comes from unreliable sources or when it evokes strong emotions. By being aware of the tactics used to spread misinformation, we can protect ourselves from being misled and help to prevent the spread of harmful narratives.

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