Succeeding in the Age of Disinformation
**Date:** 07-09-24
—
*”Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.” – **George Bernard Shaw*
The observation is nearly one hundred years old, but it resonates in 2024 in a scarily prescient way. Seemingly, half the country will not consider the assertions of elected officials and experienced professionals, instead defaulting to an agreed upon “certainty” that those individuals are liars and can’t be trusted – or worse – depending upon the “D” or “R” that might precede their name, the agency they represent, or the problem they may be seeking to address.
The feedback loops of on-line interactions are amplified and reinforced by those convening in small and large groups in support of easily debunked, but shared beliefs.
Conspiracy theories are no longer affected by fact-checking. Those daring to challenge what should be fringe theories are vilified and sometimes even threatened.
The belief that JFK would return to the streets of Dallas had thousands in attendance. The contention that Bill Gates was using COVID-19 vaccines to implant microchips in people was absurd – but a demotivator none-the-less, and of course there was (and is) the thoroughly debunked assertion that the ex-President somehow won the last election.
Those who offer facts that contradict those beliefs are labeled as liars and even traitors.
Our disinformation age, and the siloing of our conversations to those with a similar allegiance to false narratives has stacked the deck against constructive dialogue and the objective discussion of agreed upon facts.
Layer upon this a previously unimaginable acceptance and approval of name calling, demonization, and dismissal of those with whom we disagree, and we find ourselves in a daunting place from which to create the consensus necessary to address important issues.
I wish I could say that this is an affliction that is contained to the national discourse. But it isn’t.
Our city government is routinely and unfairly cast as opaque, disconnected, incompetent, and disingenuous.
Despite a decades’ long, very public track record of community support through the creation and promotion of public events, the production of community resources, and a tireless engagement and organization of community volunteers, I too have found myself the subject of unfounded accusations. Forty years evidence to the contrary, to a chorus of the disaffected I am now suddenly a liar, with motivations that cannot be trusted.
It is hard not to take this personally. (I know it’s a manifestation of the societal ills described above) – but it’s difficult.
We have so much to do as a community and so many challenges as a city. It’s my responsibility to work every day to provide the aspiration, motivation, and information necessary to build consensus and support for those seeking to move Oneonta forward.
It’s important that people know what I stand for, what we’re working toward, what’s been done, what’s proposed, and what opportunities there may be to engage in our city’s progress.
To that end, I will be hosting a public discussion at the Black Oak Tavern in these next few weeks. I’ll be happy for the respectful dialogue.
For those who may not know or have been told otherwise, I’ll end with a brief summation of why I ran for Mayor and the unchanging goals of my tenure.
They include building partnerships for health, safety, and a robust local economy, increasing tourism, attracting new residents, providing housing for all, expanding mental health services, enlisting community participation, and helping create a vibrant, inclusive city.
Please join me at the Oak, online, or downtown.
It’s the honor of my life to be your mayor, and I take the responsibility very seriously.
Disinformation be damned.
