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Think of FakingNews.com - purely funny. It presents unverified information for virality. Knowing that it is an outright lie, we laugh and even share some of the updates. Here are the recent ones>>
- BREAKING: SIT requests SC to allow it to hire Arnab to investigate black money offenders. SIT members are really impressed with the way Arnab is able to grill his guests every night on his show.
- BREAKING: Bangalore based IT company introduces “Work-from-Bus” as traffic takes a turn for the worse. A popular tech startup in the IT city has started a trendy way for employees to work, as most of them often fail to reach office on time.
Being bombarded with information in various social touch-points, we are often taken with the sensational aspect of it. We do not cross check it but start becoming a part of a spree that allows for mindless hooliganism.
Most recent example is mocking Pakistan over gender issue. Pakistan has emerged as the world's second-worst country in terms of gender equality, according to the annual Global Gender Gap Report published by the World Economic Forum. Detailed information brings forth additional shocker - India's ranking fell from 101 out of 136 countries last year to 114 out of 142 countries this year.
I noticed people responsibly sharing their thoughts on the gender issue while using Pakistan gender ranking news to substantiate their point - which is a good strategy. However those who mocked Pakistan need to move beyond comparing apples to oranges philosophy. What should bother us more? In such a scenario, I think India deserves a bigger mocking for not being able to sustain its position forget scaling up the ranking. This was just one example, but there are instances where we join the herd - without thinking much about what we to say. There are times when you can stay quite, it doesn't hurt.
P.S.: The point to ponder is whether we even realise if we are made to like seemingly responsible story for a sensational purpose.
Its a shame really. We Indians have this false sense of pride that emanates from one-upmanship, rather than a holistic approach and inward-looking critique. Its like laughing at someone whos drowning in a pit of dung when you yourself are neck-deep in the same pit.
ReplyDeleteI second you. The bigger issue is that many get driven in the drive without even questioning.
DeleteFor instance the #BoyCottHaider drive - people were sharing extreme opinions on social platforms without having seen the movie. Same was the case of #RajdeepSardesai - visibly edited video that showed him in the bad light was enough to stigmatize him.
do we have to across check everything? i dont know. but any info that leaves a question mark over over my mind certainly would invite double checking
ReplyDeleteEverything - not really, some sources come with credibility. At the same time some preconceived notions block our sense of questioning, don't they? We all carry our biases - but making your bias factually strong can make a lot of difference.
DeleteThanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts.
for sure
DeleteI have been active on social media for quite sometime now.
ReplyDeleteIt is can be used as a very strong platform for sharing knowledge and information.But,there are some undeserving handles who are misusing this platform
Misuse will never go out of fashion and it is relative concept - what you may count as misuse, may come to me as knowledge sharing to others and vice-verse.
DeleteThanks for stopping by!
I agree with you totally. Before throwing stones at others we should look at our glass-house! I believe we tend to look at those who are living worst. A raped woman is sent to exile in Pakistan while a woman has rights to fight in India. We are not perfect but we are better off. While Pakistan (cause of our terrorism) has become our enemy and it is our immediate neighbour we tend to compare things with it. We are trying to bring the change atleast majority of us here introducing liberal values and more laws in favour of women!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I do not see Pakistan as an enemy though, it has made itself an unaware victim of international diplomacy. We know that China and USA use Pakistan for their geo-strategic reasons and that is why military equipment deals happen. They empower a spoil kid.
DeleteAnd about terrorism, if you know you are vulnerable, would you keep the doors open to invaders? India needs to put checks - almost all of the terror attacks in India were preceded by a warning from Indian Intelligence Agencies. It is more a case of inter-departmental mis-communication or lethargy and the entire post attack blame is passed on to Pakistan. A common man is treated worthless by those who call the shots.
But any way rather than passing one sided judgements we should share knowledge and present a balanced approach!!!
ReplyDelete