Meet Tom. Tom stays up late most
nights. Tom spends an average of six hours a day on his computer. Tom has a
part time job where he works about fifteen hours a week. Tom is often offered
to cover others’ shifts, but he refuses them because he does not have the
energy to work any more hours. He does not work out and spends the majority of
his day sitting down.
Meet John. John wakes at 5:00AM
every day. He puts in a good sixty hours a week at his job at the factory. He
really depends on the overtime to keep his family financially secure. John does
not keep many hobbies. He is often too tired for such things after his long
days of physical labor.
Meet Zack. Zack spends more time
playing video games than not. During those rare hours where Zack is not playing
video games, he occupies himself on his computer developing logos, updating
social media, and connecting with others via the internet.
These are loaded paragraphs. Descriptions
that, while accurate (albeit fictional), are purposely kept vague in order to misconstrue
the truth for the purpose of creating dramatic effect upon the unveiling of
further information. Most of you are probably thinking, Tom is lazy and should
probably work more hours, be a little more active, and spend less time sitting
around on his computer. Really, he should be more like John. John is
industrious and sets a prime example of dedication and work ethic. Zack, on the
other hand, he is a lost cause who needs to get a job and, presumably, move out
of his parents’ house.
Meet the real Tom. Tom is a graduate
student studying biochemistry. He spends an average of six hours a day reading
recent literature online and running simulated models of the interactions
between organic pollutants and common components of human tissue in order to
better understand the implications of popular commercial manufacturing
processes. He often gets so caught up in his work that he does not make it to
bed until the early morning. He works a part time job in order to supplement
the small stipend he receives from the university. However, given the number of
hours he puts in at the lab, he does not have the energy to work much at his
second job, let alone find time to himself to work out.
Meet the real John. John was a high
school dropout who did not devote much time to school. He spent his younger
days playing video games and hanging out with his friends. He thought school
was a waste of time and dropped out junior year to have more time to himself. A
few years down the road John matured, met a nice woman, and started a family.
Given his lack of qualifications, however, he was forced to take a demanding
job at a factory. The pay is not great, and as such he depends upon overtime
pay just to make ends meet.
Meet the real Zack. Zack runs a
video game review vlog. He spends most of his day recording content to upload
to his website. When he is not recording content, he is working on designing
logos for his brand, reaffirming his social media presence, and making
connections to further spread awareness of his site. Zack has single handedly
created a fairly popular site, and, taking in ad revenue, has managed to become
self-sufficient. He owns his own house and pays into a retirement plan.
Bias is easy and does not require lying.
Context is everything. Why is there so much fake news out in the world today,
because no one has the time or energy to critically evaluate everything they
hear, read, or see for the true context. Unfortunately, it seems, neither do
the reporters, or perhaps it is simply that everyone has an agenda. The
solution? Mistrust everything. That seems extreme. How about something less
cynical. Unconvicted acceptance. The only thing I know for certain is that nothing
is for certain. Mayhaps we will one day be rid of even death and taxes.
-AMS
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