What is even real anymore?

Ann Sims | as770992

Who can you trust?    

We all want to belong and feel like we fit in.  We like to think that we're part of something bigger.  We seek out things to belong to.  We feel our opinions strongly and want to find those who are like-minded. 

But do we really know what we're trying to belong to?  Are all the causes presented on the internet or television real?  Not always.  The lines are becoming blurred due to the efforts of one side or another using paid talent to grow their numbers.  

How the Media Manipulates you with Astroturfing, Denton & Sasquatch

Sadly, we are so easily manipulated online and in televised news.  

What is really scary is that there is the strong possibility that  the advocates that you believe and trust in aren't real.  What you thought was a real cause was actually staged for the benefit of something else.  

This is called astroturfing and it should really grind your gears.  Astroturfing misrepresents what is really going on.  What can look like a genuine grassroots campaign might actually be paid demonstrators, placed for your manipulation.  

Photo Source: Roll Call  Protesters March on Washington

What's an easy way to get people to join your side?  Make it look popular, make it look like something people don't want to miss out on.  If there are a lot of participants, it makes others want to join in.  But what if your cause isn't naturally popular, how do you attract attention?  You can pay people to be part of it!  Problem solved!  

However, solving your numbers problem with paid demonstrators creates a whole other set of difficulties, but on a much larger scale.  This downgrades true activism and prevents actual change from happening.  Causes and activism lose credibility in general.  There is more mistrust in the collective consciousness.  People become less likely to want to be involved and believe in things.  

The beauty of the internet is that everyone and anyone can have a voice.  Who is everyone and anyone, though?  Some of those voices belong to bots.  Some are generated by persona management software, which creates realistic profiles.  If you think these fake profiles are only used by shady companies and internet trolls, think again.  These are everywhere, including the United States government and military. The Air Force is particularly guilty of these tactics.  

The Truth and the tRuTh

Aside from the false grassroots of astroturfing, some companies employ reviewers to build themselves up.  They also pay reviewers to tear down the competition.  

Spam Reviews on Google

Photo Source:  Reputation Defender

This is unethical because it doesn't accurately represent the company, brand, or product.  We are taken in by false claims.  

We are also subjected to corporate advertising disguised as news.  These stories are produced and presented in the same manner as real news and we are loath to tell the difference at times.   

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver:  Native Advertising

Native advertising is another thing that confuses the lines of reality.  Ads and paid content are produced to resemble actual news.  Who is behind the stories??  Who is paying for the stories?  

We need to learn to differentiate between real and fake.  Advertising and actual journalism.  It takes patience and perseverance to make the distinctions.