Bookfilter, I am at a loss
July 19, 2015 1:20 PM Subscribe
My question is two questions: 1) what's a good book that emphatically demonstrates the reality, persistence, and mechanisms of radicalization? and 2) what's a good comprehensive book that digs deep on the general process of "fact-checking"?
My brother harbors broad suspicion towards pretty much all institutions of power, all public figures, all "mainstream media" outlets. Furthermore, he believes that behind nearly every breaking news story there is the real story and the only story--which goes like this: shadow government entity desires to control and manipulate mankind, proceeds to draw a blueprint for a "false-flag" incident which will sway public opinion in one direction or another.
Example: My brother insists that "people don't get radicalized by the internet," that you have to be physically exposed to poverty and violence before radicalization is possible, that no Americans become radical ISIS followers through the internet. He considers it not feasible. Right now all I can do is throw my arms up and say, "Yes, it does happen!! Have you been to any internet forum ever? Have you seen how much people consume outrage? Can't you see it?" But my certainty is so general, not even anecdotal. I really need to find and read the definitive book on radicalization, preferably written in the digital age.
Example #2: The shooting at Emanuel AME Church in June. I sat down with him and watched, at his insistence, this video (TW for I don't even fucking know but consider yourself trigger-warned) and found nothing about it convincing. Nevertheless, we have conversations where I say, "reputable journalism exists and journalists are stringent fact-checkers!" to which he replies, "that may very well be, but the facts they're confirming were fabricated in the first place." Okay, so I need to find the definitive book on fact-checking, procedure, pedigree of truth--that is, how consensus reality is formed from all the little facts that are, supposedly, actual facts.
So, books. Not arguments against the concept of shadow governments and conspiracies. Thanks!
My brother harbors broad suspicion towards pretty much all institutions of power, all public figures, all "mainstream media" outlets. Furthermore, he believes that behind nearly every breaking news story there is the real story and the only story--which goes like this: shadow government entity desires to control and manipulate mankind, proceeds to draw a blueprint for a "false-flag" incident which will sway public opinion in one direction or another.
Example: My brother insists that "people don't get radicalized by the internet," that you have to be physically exposed to poverty and violence before radicalization is possible, that no Americans become radical ISIS followers through the internet. He considers it not feasible. Right now all I can do is throw my arms up and say, "Yes, it does happen!! Have you been to any internet forum ever? Have you seen how much people consume outrage? Can't you see it?" But my certainty is so general, not even anecdotal. I really need to find and read the definitive book on radicalization, preferably written in the digital age.
Example #2: The shooting at Emanuel AME Church in June. I sat down with him and watched, at his insistence, this video (TW for I don't even fucking know but consider yourself trigger-warned) and found nothing about it convincing. Nevertheless, we have conversations where I say, "reputable journalism exists and journalists are stringent fact-checkers!" to which he replies, "that may very well be, but the facts they're confirming were fabricated in the first place." Okay, so I need to find the definitive book on fact-checking, procedure, pedigree of truth--that is, how consensus reality is formed from all the little facts that are, supposedly, actual facts.
So, books. Not arguments against the concept of shadow governments and conspiracies. Thanks!
Best answer: Sarah Harrison Smith's The Fact Checker's Bible is a good introduction to how the process works when a publication invests in it and they have seasoned professionals doing the work (she's ex-New Yorker, now at the NYT Magazine).
That said, if your brother is swayed by that Charleston video, I doubt you're going to be able to convince him with facts of any kind.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:12 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
That said, if your brother is swayed by that Charleston video, I doubt you're going to be able to convince him with facts of any kind.
posted by ryanshepard at 7:12 PM on July 19, 2015 [1 favorite]
You cannot reason someone out of a position they didn't reason themselves into. Apophenia is extremely strong, and short of your brother suddenly realising that falsifiability is a core tenet of the scientific process for a reason, I don't know that any book is going to help since of course they too are merely propaganda by the shadowy powers that desire us meek and ignorant. It may be best to merely stop engaging with him in these realms. I wish you luck.
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 9:27 PM on July 19, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Emperor SnooKloze at 9:27 PM on July 19, 2015 [4 favorites]
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