Blog Entry 3 "I Know the Truth, So Don't Bother ME with Facts"

Humans are deceived easily by rumors and lies that are spread mainly by other humans. Many people are quick to believe what they see and hear, whether it’s on TV, in a magazine, newspaper, or even talking to someone else.  The article "I Know the Truth, So Don't Bother Me with Facts" by Jeffrey Kluger, states "it is easy to manipulate people's belief systems with insinuating pictures or inflammatory quotes". In a sense you can say we as humans are gullible.

Rumors affect our lives in different ways. It all depends on what is being said, who is saying it, and who they are saying it to. Many lives have been ruined by rumors. For instance in the Kluger mentions in his article, “I Know the Truth, So Don’t Bother Me with Facts”, two assistant professors of communications at Ohio State University, R. Kelly Garrett and Erik Nisbet, “recruited 750 people” who believed “at least one of the rumors about the proposed Islamic cultural center”. The Islamic community has been disrespected multiple times because of 9/11. They were seen as terrorist even though they were not responsible for the attack.

I have fallen victim to many rumors going around but later realized none of that was important. Just a few weeks ago there was a rumor going around that involved me and a guy from the area. When I found out about was being spread about me, I immediately went to the source. He denied starting the rumor and that the individual that spread the rumor was nowhere to be found. At the end I didn’t care what was being said because I knew the truth about myself and that’s all that mattered. I think rumors are started because we are concerned more about what others think of us and many fall for the lies that are being spread. Some people do it just out of hate for another person. Now all rumors are not lies some are indeed true. It depends on who is spreading the rumor.

I feel that people use rumors to keep themselves occupied. Some also strive on others weakness and use it to their advantage. If it wasn’t for rumors going around, there wouldn’t be gossip columns in newspapers and magazines. TMZ is one of the biggest gossip magazines that are out there. They now have their own TV show. The people that work for TMZ gossip mostly about celebrities and their families. I think it is pathetic stalking these individuals and reporting their every move to America.  I think everyone deserves their privacy.