‘Fake news’ discussion
Recently, there have been some discussions in the Tribune-Herald’s Your Views section related to “fake news.”
This reminded me of a made-up survey lesson, which I learned a long time ago. It was when concerns about fuel efficiency of cars and their environmental impacts just started. But, there were uncertainties about whether people really wanted smaller cars. So, two car manufacturers did their surveys to figure out what kind of cars they should build next.
In the survey, “Manufacturer A” asked potential buyers whether they would prefer small cars over the large cars, and why. Most people said that they prefer the small cars, because they were concerned with the environment and wanted to do the right thing.
“Manufacturer B” also asked the same question and received similar answers. But “Manufacturer B” added another question; “How about your neighbors?”
Most people said that their neighbors would definitely want large cars, because those people did not really care about the environment, and no car is large enough for their egos.
“Manufacturer B” knew that people saw themselves as how they want other people to see them — not their true self. And people also have no problem seeing through the disguises of others. So, “Manufacturer B” made the right business decision.
If we were to do a survey today to find out whether people can distinguish the fake news from real news, most people would say that they are smart enough to know what is real and what is fake. When asked about the people on the other side of the political divide, most would answer “definitely not.” Because the people on the other side have been brainwashed by the disinformation media sponsored by special interests groups, they have already lost the ability for independent thinking.
Based on the logic of the car survey lesson, is there any real news?
Lo-Li Chih
Keaau
Leftover doses
It has been mentioned by medical professionals that often, if not daily, there are leftover COVID-19 vaccines.
If this is indeed the case, might I suggest that kupuna over 65 who are waiting for a chance to get vaccinated sign up to be on a phone list to get a call in the last hour of the day to come down and get a shot?
Even though I live in Mountain View, I’d jump at the chance to drive down to Hilo and get a shot!
Claudia Ziroli
Mountain View
It’s a ‘cause’
It does not take a village to plant a coconut tree, but here we go again with sustainability.
Sustainability is a cause. Zero-waste is a cause. And no cesspools in Hawaii is a cause.
Every cause is tyranny, and every cause is oligarchy. Sen. Russell Kokubun started up this sustainability bandwagon back when he was in power. Then it ran out of gas.
Our new mayor will drum up a second sustainability crusade. It will lead to more tax breaks for large and small “Green Acres” aristocrats. Then the rest of Hawaii County’s citizens must foot a larger chunk of the bill.
We will see nothing in return except for a place in the breadline, waiting for handouts from those who are on the gravy train.
Jerry Warren
Naalehu