Do you trust the media, or the government? One of them is lying to you... Right!?

Good morning, ATS!

I am here at work, doing nothing, and we have our first few "self-quarantines" (which makes for a quiet office). I posted a thread about a month ago saying that I believe the real red flag here (and the one that caught my attention) was the disproportionate response to the outbreak by the Chicoms. I stand by my statement, and my assumptions, if only for the same thing we are all thinking... the Chicoms control their own media, and therefore will do their best to mitigate the impact of this outbreak on their economy/power. Personally, I've noticed that the major and/or sub-plot of every movie/t.v. show ever is based on miscommunication/lies. Apparently that's who we are as people.

This makes me wonder aloud which one of the two major entities (media vs government) in free societies are being honest with us. Sometimes 1+1=2, and sometimes 1+1=?. Here are some things that are well known facts (or at least well accepted points), and attached I've put counterpoints.

1) China had a natural outbreak of a viral infection that has overwhelmed their ability to treat large portions of the populace, but it is no more deadly than the common influenza.
Counterpoint: China is lying about the origin/effects of the virus, and are reacting to contain the outbreak IOT maintain power. The death toll is probably higher, as is the infection rate.
Truth: I don't know. That's the point of the thread. But my speculation is based more on what makes sense and what doesn't. The reaction to the outbreak is highly disproportionate, and the lack of continued infections is troubling/weird. If this is merely a flu v3.7 then China deserves for their politburo to get MOAB up the butt for destroying the world economy.

2) Doom porn is a real moneymaker for the media, and playing up the story will lead to ratings, no matter the larger economic impact.
Counterpoint: The Media cares about us, you jerk. I mean, why would they lie?
Truth: My thoughts are that some media members have an agenda. On BOTH sides of the political spectrum. The real question is, what is the end game/benefit to their version of the facts?

3) The government is lying to us, and we are all going to die.
Counterpoint: The government is not lying to us. Get back to work.
Truth: My thoughts are that all elected officials have an agenda. On BOTH sides of the political spectrum. The real question is, what is the end game/benefit to their version of the facts?

Finally-
4) You can trust the media more than the government. Trust us, we have never lied about anything! (thumbs through every story from the revolution, to the Spanish American war, to Vietnam, to the border crisis)
Counterpoint: You can trust the government more than the media. Trust us, we have never lied about anything! (thumbs through every story from the battle of New Orleans, to the Mexican American war, to the war on drugs, to the truth about UFOs)
Truth: My thoughts are that I deny ignorance, and don't trust either of them.

What are yours? I'm not asking if you believe in doom porn, just who you think is being (more) honest? And maybe who you think is lying the most?

I don't trust the media or the government.The arm of flesh will
fail you,I put my trust in the Lord!

a reply to: mamabeth

Well said! I put my trust in Christ as well... But I also have to deal with all these pesky people, so I have to choose some of them to listen to, I guess.

Watch some yuotube. Did you see the one from italy where his sister died quickly and after 24 hrs there was no one to take her away.

a reply to: ThouArtGod

I haven't trusted the media for over ten years now. They don't report news they give bias opinions. Do I trust the government? Not really. I trust my gut.

The government is self-serving and will say and do whatever achieves their subjective interests. In most cases that means finding a balance between pandering to their donors and preventing the populace from rising up and removing them from power. This is not a partisan problem, it's endemic.

The media is also self-serving and tends to report whatever will get them the most views, clicks and ad revenue from whatever demographic they've garnered. More pandering.

Covid-19 is a new mutation of an older virus. It's novel and it's dangerous. How dangerous remains to be seen and relies upon a host of factors, some within our control and others outside of our control.

As for trust? I don't trust anyone beyond a few friends and family members. Thankfully raw data and information is available for those who seek it and analyzing data is less about trust and more about subjective ability.

originally posted by: TamtammyMacx
Watch some yuotube. Did you see the one from italy where his sister died quickly and after 24 hrs there was no one to take her away.

Yeah, so about that. I have some friends who just got back from Italy, and they say it is a hell zone there. But I again question just how many facts we are actually receiving. I mean, if we posted annual flu maps like we did this covid 19 thingie, then people would always get their flu vaccines/never leave the house.

originally posted by: Chance321
a reply to: ThouArtGod

I haven't trusted the media for over ten years now. They don't report news they give bias opinions. Do I trust the government? Not really. I trust my gut.

That's a fair point. So what is your gut telling you on this one?

originally posted by: Hefficide Thankfully raw data and information is available for those who seek it and analyzing data is less about trust and more about subjective ability.

That's fair, and I commend thee.... But what if we aren't getting any real data? I mean, there isn't any real way that this virus just stopped in China, is there? Would all have this been such a big deal if only a few thousand died? Or are they hiding something, like the burning of bodies, etc.?

a reply to: ThouArtGod

To tell the truth I don't think either is actually lying to us.
They just don't have a clue.

Media= panic is better ratings.

Govt= calm is better approval ratings.


Both are probably hoping for the best.

originally posted by: Bluntone22
a reply to: ThouArtGod

To tell the truth I don't think either is actually lying to us.
They just don't have a clue.

Media= panic is better ratings.

Govt= calm is better approval ratings.

That's a fair point in this country, I guess. But can we really say for certain that China isn't lying, using their power/media to hide facts?

Project Flu-beam is here.


What I find a bit weird about this whole thing is where is the social media footprint from survivors, or even those confirmed. Or maybe just from friends of either of those...

No one, anywhere,on any social media platform has posted first hand accounts like :"I got it but I've recovered " or "I've got it and I'm scared"??

a reply to: ThouArtGod

WHO ARE THE CHICOMS OR, WHAT ARE THE CHICOMS???

I think its more mundane than thinking that one of them is lying.

Truth is there are many unknowns and each party is filling in the blanks in a way that best suits their personal bias. Most of it is probably a subconscious effort.

Trump wants the virus to be on the milder side for a few reasons; including his personal political expedience as well as what I am sure is a genuine desire not to see this get worse.

The media (an industry not a person) wants to sensationalize the situation because that is the business model they have built the last few decades.

Neither is overly trying to be deceptive in order to harm people.

We should stop looking at this situation through specialized lenses hoping to find fault in one particular person or institution and use it as a tool to fix society in a more holistic way.

For the US this virus could not have hit at a worse time. During a situation where we all need to work together to create the best outcome we have a society that couldn't be more willfully divided .

a reply to: Maverick1

You'd have to cover every social media account to know that.

originally posted by: Maverick1
Project Flu-beam is here.


What I find a bit weird about this whole thing is where is the social media footprint from survivors, or even those confirmed. Or maybe just from friends of either of those...

No one, anywhere,on any social media platform has posted first hand accounts like :"I got it but I've recovered " or "I've got it and I'm scared"??

So I understand why this might be the case in China/Russia due to the internet filters... but I agree with you about Japan and others. This is the Social Media generation. Why no large output of content regarding the subject? I mean, If I get diagnosed, you'd have to tear this phone from my hands as I live streamed everything. Of course, I'm not a 14 year old girl, so my social media is literally ATS.

But hey, I'd share with you all!

a reply to: DanDanDat

Right. No one is deliberately lying about anything.
It's a very fluid situation and viruses are not choosey.

a reply to: Sillyolme

That was loud, Silly!

ChiComs is a reference to the Chinese Communist, as I have a history of differentiating from the Chinese Communists, the Taiwanese Chinese, and those who are under Communist rule, but are not communists.

Sorry for the failure to communicate.

originally posted by: ThouArtGod

originally posted by: Chance321
a reply to: ThouArtGod

I haven't trusted the media for over ten years now. They don't report news they give bias opinions. Do I trust the government? Not really. I trust my gut.

That's a fair point. So what is your gut telling you on this one?

It's got the yellow caution flags up. I'm prepared, but trying to keep a level head and an open mind.

a reply to: ThouArtGod

Maybe because there are not millions of cases yet?

Wait. It will come.