Who do you trust?
Second Life has so many blogs and magazines now. The independent media machine has never been quite so big as everyone seems to have a platform to share news. You don’t even need to have a website or publication – a person can share news through their Twitter or Plurk. Through Flickr or Koinup. Through in world groups and notecards.
So who do you trust?
News is something which feeds a society. It keeps people talking and discussing things which matter to them. It fuels gossip and creates dramas. It brightens up our day, or it’ll infuriate us to no end. It informs us, and helps us to try new things.
But who do you trust?
Well, in real life, who do you trust for your news? Your local evening newspaper? A publicly funded radio talk show? The dreaded FoxNEWS? Do you think the news you receive is biased, and not completely above board?
So what about in Second Life? Who do you trust?
Why does a blogger blog? Why does a writer write? What are the real motivations here? Who or what is influencing people?
I’ve seen a lot said about integrity and credibility of bloggers. I’ve seen people bought down for saying the wrong things, and daring to cross unwritten lines which have been laid down. I’ve seen fashion bloggers accused to writing too favourably about their designer friends. I’ve seen other fashion bloggers targetted for offering advertising, claiming it influences their reviews. And then there’s the claims that fashion bloggers are only in it for free review copies.
And then there’s the “news blogs”. The people who give the lowdown on the ‘Lab. The people who scrutinise the way Second Life works, and comment the ups and downs.
But then there’s yet more questions of integrity and credibility. Who are they getting favours from? Are their activities/tiers in world being subsidised by Linden Lab? Are they being paid to promote certain LL products? Do they have invested interests/sponsorship in Linden Lab or other companies associated with the Second Life platform?
Is anybody trustworthy?
Is there such thing as a completely unbiased blog which doesn’t have an agenda behind it of some sort?
I’ve seen Metaversally Speaking attacked for all sorts of random reasons. For some odd reason, people seem to think that being awards a Linden award for best blogger automatically means I have to act with constant integrity and offer unbiased reporting for the masses, with fully researched news and no added in opinion.
Well here’s a wake up call for you – this is a biased blog. I have invested interests in a few SL related companies which I wouldn’t touch when it comes to blogging. I have ties with people at Linden Lab who I wouldn’t publicly deface, although I have no problem attacking Linden Lab, or calling in favour of them. Sometimes I’ll present a full story, and sometimes I hold back on some facts. Other times, I’ll just blog to release some half thoughts, and let you form the full picture for yourself.
Because this is just an opinion blog. Nothing more and nothing less. I have no desire to have credibility or maintain integrity, because that’s not what it’s about – I’m not a journalist and I’m not a writer. I don’t do this for money or reputation – I have several other projects in first and second life which I work on for that. I’m someone who likes to make other people think, and have a sensible discussion about topics which may or may not interest you. Other times, I just fancy making people laugh and smile.
And that’s all it is. No pushing of agendas. No promoting of products or trying to convince you that may way is the only way. I’d hate for a stream of comments telling me I’m right, and for people who disagree to feel awkward to post for fear that a witch-hunt would ensue, because that’s not what it’s about.
Second Life media has all sorts of bias, and it’s fair to say that some bloggers are more influenced than others when it comes to what they write about.
So who do you trust?
Mystique on August 13, 2009
I take all with a grain of salt. I believe only what I’ve researched but will look into opinions and ideas of those I’ve come to know. I think most people are lazy minded and take news / media/ blogging / all forms of new media as the be all and end all of “real”. That freaking scares me.
Second to me is this: I had a “dear diary” when I was a kid and you weren’t even a glimmer in your parents eyes. To me a diary is personal and for you alone. You sure as heck don’t want your younger sibling sniffling through it. A blog is very different.
When you blog, you are putting out your own thoughts, opinions, experiences… just like a diary. BUT… you’ve opened that lock to the world for comment and criticism. I’ve read enough about bloggers who say they want full out.. but when it comes down to it… not all are ready to take criticism in any form. It’s only for their friends to make them feel good about themselves.
I think your blog is thoughtful, well written, inward and outward looking.
I can only hope that those who only trust Wikipedia, Foxnews and thoughtless bloggers get off their easy chairs and actually do some fact finding on their own. Then should they have a voice.
Serene Fairey on August 13, 2009
regarding this part: “I’ve seen people bought down for saying the wrong things, and daring to cross unwritten lines which have been laid down.” …Please! Do tell what are the unwritten lines you’ve heard of? *smiles*
Leondra on August 13, 2009
Myself… and the wisdom I have earned and learned, that’s what I trust. Show me the data! (my mantra)
All this “social media”… everyday it seems to me more about how to twist – to earn bucks.. get followers…coveted networks… blah, blah, blah, blog! It gets more convoluted by the day. He who has the most time to Photoshop and Google will rule the world. Is that our brave new world?
The media is powerful as we saw in Iran. But… will we soon turn it off because its endless advertising and/or narcissism?
I am like the moth before the flame.
Chic Aeon on August 13, 2009
All blogs are biased. We all have opinions; we all have baggage; we all have personal prejudices.
We trust those who have proven over time to say what they believe to be true — even if they are wrong. We trust those who try to do their best even if they sometimes fail.
If we put too high a criteria on who we are willing to trust, we trust no one.
Connie Arida on August 13, 2009
Credibility: worthy of belief or confidence; trustworthy:
I think u can be opinionated without resorting to outright lies to support your position.
Integrity: adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty.
All the above lead to Trust. A Blogger that feeds lies and disinformation does not show credibility or integrity. Therefore their following opinion is not to be trusted.
You can be biased..but also show integrity and credibility. You mean what you say and have the facts to back that bias up.
Shimere Felisimo on August 13, 2009
No source – or reader – is unbiased. The trick is to isolate the bias when evaluating the source. Bias is not necessarily a bad thing; we all have opinions. Far more fatal flaws are incorrect or inconsistent information (everybody knows this, but few bother to fact-check) and fallacies of argument (practically an epidemic). A quick analysis of the language of a source can also give you a good indication – it’s really not too difficult to determine if the wording is extreme or inflammatory, generally an indication that a source (unless satirical) is untrustworthy. Over time, a source that demonstrates integrity, objectivity and rationality will build up ethos – literally “character” – the reputation that it can be trusted.
It seems that these days, it’s fashionable to trust no one, which has led to a lot of people buying in to half-baked conspiracy theories. Or – if potentially no one is to be trusted – it’s easy to dismiss any source that we dislike. We get our news from sources that pander to our prejudices. This isn’t going to lead to any sort of truth…
As for this blog – I don’t always agree with it, but the arguments within are generally sensible and reasonably supported with facts.
jaco on August 13, 2009
well, read anthony c. sutton about how the history really developed, for example. after that you won’t trust any media, school system or political system no more.
Adric Antfarm on August 13, 2009
Don’t you work for Rezzable????
Did the offer to build at SL6B come because you bash Linden?
Quit throwing stones in your…what do they call that..um..glass like structure?
On the plus side, your brave suicide charge (albeit totally misguided) against freebies did earn you much respect from my view. Doing what you feel is right (knowing it’s going to painful – and it was) takes some stones kid.
It’s now a triangle on August 13, 2009
[...] P steps up with an insanely clueless piece that makes me realize I love this [...]
Prad Prathivi on August 13, 2009
@Adric – read the entry. My own biases are covered – I’m saying quite clearly that I’m biased, and that I’m making no secret of it. There’s no stone throwing going on – it’s a simple fact that bias is present within Second Life’s “media”.
Adric Antfarm on August 13, 2009
Good Lord. I was so into the blood lust I didn’t answer.
If Hamlet Au says something I tend to believe it.
He’s hard to lead off track (I’ve tried) and has pretty high standards in this non-standard SL bloggy thing.
Also, he seems to lack what drags the rest of us off track. Human emotions. He leaves it out of his work. A lot of us bloggers have not (and will never) learn to do that.
Does he has a horse in this game? Several. Books, ties to Rezzable, sells ad space,etc – but if there is an example of him letting that control him I sure as hell can’t find it. If I did you would hear about it.
Prad Prathivi on August 13, 2009
How about this article, where he clearly states he’s going to refrain from editorial comment (although he sounds like he wants to make one)?
http://nwn.blogs.com/nwn/2009/07/builder-bot.html
I certainly didn’t comment either, but it’s a case of how bias and ties influence what people are writing.
Serene Fairey on August 15, 2009
Hey Prad
what are the unwritten lines that bloggers dare not cross?
Josue Habana on August 17, 2009
In blogging, I have found that trying to please everyone results i pleasing nobody. When you have an unbiassed blog it’s just like a BBC news program – dull and lifeless.
The reason Metaversally Speaking and a number of other SL blogs work so well is simply that they’re a platform for expression of opinions and views. The people who complain about biassed posts or facts held back or opinions overly stated are probably the same people who would tune out of a neutral blog and criticise the blogger for sitting on the fence.
You’re doing a great job on here…. and whether everyone agrees with your opinions or not, anyone with a grain of sense will, in the least, appreciate your creative and often witty means of expressing them.