THE POWER OF IGNORANCE & PROPAGANDA
This most recent presidential election saw the phenomenon of “fake news”, which is essentially outright lies or distortions of truth that are propagated to make a political opponent seem dishonest or even evil. For instance, there was rumor that was put out on social media and the Internet that Hillary Clinton was running a child sex ring out of a pizza parlor in Washington. A man believed this absurd rumor and came in with an assault rifle to investigate and fired off a shot. So, these rumors are often believed and are effective.
And now former President Trump has claimed that he won the most recent Presidential election when in fact he clearly lost. Millions of people believe him.
WHY?
In Plato’s The Allegory of the Cave, he discusses what happens to people when they are finally able to see the “light” and the truth, and how difficult it is to accept it. George Orwell writes in Politics and the English Language that “The great enemy of clear language is insincerity” (303).
Discuss both essays and give examples from recent events including the election and relate them to themes articulated by Plato and Orwell.
Please see the syllabus for all due dates and please make sure you cite properly using the MLA format.
ORIGINAL WOEK PLEASE _ NO PLAGIARISM
0 comments