Every day, you likely read through headlines referencing the dangers of fake news. I hear the term so often, I get tired of hearing about it.
There’s fake news about politics, fake news about COVID-19, and fake news about any topic you can name.
Having been trained as a therapist, my education included learning about propaganda, brain washing and mind control methods along with ways of dealing with it. Fake news is just another one of those propaganda techniques.
At the time I took those classes, my mind assumed that such methods were only used by totalitarian dictatorships and communist nations. I never expected encountering the same mind control techniques in my daily life.
I also learned from my days on the high school newspaper the difference between good and sloppy journalism. Writing a good article and headline requires thought and effort.
Many of the journalistic stories I encounter these days are more about quantity of content rather than quality.The focus is on grabbing attention rather than providing facts.
It amounts to sloppy journalistic practices.
Those experiences give me some unique insights on reading news presented to me.
What I don’t know is whether today’s fake news is intentional propaganda programming or just lazy journalism. A recent example is the headline I encountered stating, “Psychologists Agree: It May Be Time to Rethink Your Monogamous Relationship”.
The headline makes you think that a majority of psychologists are rethinking monogamy. It also implies a ‘consensus’ that the behavior change experts are in agreement.
Such stories plant seeds of doubt in your mind about whether monogamy is a realistic to hope in your marriage.
The headline may even have you thinking that the experts have their doubts about monogamy in your marriage. If you are struggling with this in your marriage, it may take you to a tipping point.
The reality is that only a few people in the field of psychology thinking that way. If you read such a headline in a sloppy, non-critical, non-attentive mindset, you would easily be led in thinking that monogamy is on the way out.
Make no mistake, monogamy isn’t on its way out. The report of its disfavor are exaggerated.
Even the headline is very different from the content of the article. The article points out how the majority of couples want monogamy. The article talks more about the challenges you face in deciding to remain true to your marriage vows.
So, is this fake news about affairs or just sloppy writing? I’ll let you decide that.
There are many in journalistic circles who will say or do anything for good circulation numbers. The more readers, the more eyes on their ads and the more revenue they capture.
If it’s propaganda or programming, the antidote lies is critical thinking and taking steps that improve your commitment to monogamy in your marriage.
What I can tell you is that you can improve your marriage. In the “30 Days to a Better Marriage Program” which helps you take simple steps that improve the relationship you have.
You can not only have a monogamous marriage, but one that is functional, healthy and vibrant. Marriage is still the preferred option and it works in most situations when you know how to improve it.
Keeping It Real,
Jeff
