Since January 21, the term "alternative facts" has become intertwined in our modern lexicon. The phrase originated from Kellyanne Conway, in defense of Sean Spicer's incorrect statement about the attendance at Trump's inauguration. An "alternative fact", as it is called, is a fallacy, a spin on a lie to make it sound like the truth. In other words, assigning a value to a gilded object. Many people have claimed this is an example of Orwellian newspeak, such that two and two equal five, etc. But I look at it through a different lens. Besides the common association with the book 1984, I believe the most modern example of Orwellian newspeak would be "Something Ricked This Way Comes," an episode of the animated TV show "Rick and Morty."
The show "Rick and Morty" follows the adventures of Rick Sanchez, an alcoholic scientist who travels through different dimensions with his grandson Morty. The show pays homage to and satirizes the pop culture genre that it is born from.
The episode "Something Ricked This Way Comes" begins simple enough; Morty asks Rick for help with a science fair project, before being paired with his dad, Jerry, who feels inadequate as a father. While doing the project, Jerry claims that Pluto is a planet since he believes it is. Because of this, Jerry and Morty are whisked away to Pluto by the King of Pluto. There, Jerry is seen as a celebrity for pushing this lie or alternative fact.
You may be thinking, how does an Adult Swim cartoon correlate with the current political climate? Facts are being replaced by emotions. Such as the recent mention of the Bowling Green Massacre or even "Pizza-gate"; the lines between fact and fiction are intertwined and blurred. There is not a permanent line, but a line in the sand that is constantly shifting with each footprint.
Facebook and Google are beginning to fight this trash that is found on the web. We must take what is seen on social media with a grain of salt. It is now more dire--more than ever--to find a credible source for answers. Actual journalism triumphs over television news.
Finally, the concept of belief is now valued over fact. Facts are the backbone of knowledge, it is Atlas holding the world on his back. Beliefs hold no value. They are the weeds that are tightening around the flower of truth. We must understand what actual news is and is not. If we don't rise up and realize this distinction, then the truth cannot push into the cracked sidewalk above it.
