Friday, May 3, 2013

How Not to Be a Sheep

The meat industry is a favorite target of popular media, but unfortunately most stories covering it seem more bent on fear-mongering than fact portraying.  When you read or hear a story in the newspaper or on the news, question it before you decide to back away from bacon or hate hot dogs.  Here are some ways to do that:

Take time to digest
After you read a story, reflect on it.  Did anything seem far-fetched or against logic?  Did it seem sensational?     
Did it match up with other news you've heard?  Seek out other resources for a second opinion.  Contact a professional in the field of interest.  Discuss the story with friends and family.   

Decide if it's "bread" or "cake"
Bread: A story packed with statistics and historical facts backed up by credible references.
Cake: A story filled with buzzwords and vague statements and lacking references.

Read between the lines
Are you picking up a subliminal tone or message?  It's difficult for writers to remain unbiased by their own or another person's agenda, beliefs, or emotions.  

And just remember, "All's well" doesn't sell.

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