GAS-LIGHTING (part III)
Hopefully you are getting better at identifying when writers are attempting to gaslight.
We have been needled into changing our lifestyles because of “man-made global warming.” We have been told we must buy more efficient cars. We have been told we must “upgrade” to all electric. Tax money has been given to organizations which install wind and solar arrays.
Truth is that, as Americans, we have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by over 37% in the last 20 years. We have cars and some SUVs now (I’m talking gas cars since the year 2010) which actually take more pollution out of the atmosphere than they put back in it. We are using 10x the solar energy than we were 10 years ago (3% of our needs). The use of coal to produce electricity has dropped from over 50% to less than 15% in the last 20 years.
Yet, I saw THIS today from NBC NEWS:
Nearly half of Americans live in places with failing grades for air pollution, report says
The U.S. is backsliding on air quality measures, according to an annual American Lung Association study.
by Evan Bush – April 23, 2025, 12:01 AM EDT
Really? Are we being gaslighted AGAIN?
Turns out, YES. NBC NEWS is gaslighting us. The failing grades have nothing to do with “Man-made” anything. What’s the cause? Wildfires. Dry conditions where they have historically had … you guessed it … dry conditions. Dirt in the air. Just a month ago it was raining mud where we live. Wind storms in the desert Southwest had swept dust into the upper atmosphere, so that when it rained our car ended up very dirty.
Truth is, you guessed it again, You and I aren’t failing (or backsliding) at anything! WE have done our parts. NBC NEWS and the American Lung Association are pushing an agenda of SHAME. But we have done nothing to deserve it. THEY should be ashamed of gaslighting us. We are doing what they insisted we do, yet they continue to blame US.
I anticipate this will be true for something else: Removing artificial food dyes. Are they bad? Probably. But here’s the kicker: Will removing them prolong anyone’s life? We will never know. First because, once the artificial dyes are gone activists will move to the NEXT agenda, leaving artificial food dyes in the bin of forgetfulness. Second because, if it turns out through intense study that it doesn’t make a bit of difference they won’t report on it (it would upset their agenda). Third because, even when food dyes are totally gone they will still be reporting deaths as “caused by” food dyes even if they aren’t. Need proof? Check out this article about air pollution.
Why do gaslighting articles work?
1. We want to believe. We know there are people who know stuff we don’t. Fact is that doctors and scientists often don’t know as much as they claim to know. What scientists do is surmise based on the best evidence. However, sometimes they surmise based on the scantest of evidence. It turns out, some researchers make up data where data is missing or where there are results which have conflicting data (they are human, after all). Statisticians are permitted to ignore certain data merely by claiming the information is spurious (outside one or two standard deviations). But we WANT to believe anyway.
2. Of course, the information comes by way of an “expert.” We have to place our faith in people we don’t know and have never met.
3. The reporters rely almost entirely on one or two sources. They don’t take the time to find an expert who knows enough about the subject to be able to raise significant questions. Thus, we may hear only one side.
4. There are antagonists who belittle the average person’s attempts to explore the truth (gaslighting tactic). “You don’t know anything about scientific research,” they say as a denigrating comment, as if WE should know anything. In fact, the proof of veracity of a statement is literally the responsibility of the person who makes the statement, not those who are questioning it.
5. One huge tool of the gas lighter is FEAR. Read this headline from NBC NEWS: “What student loan borrowers need to know about ‘involuntary collections’.” Do you see it?
NBC NEWS suggests with their headline that ALL borrowers need to FEAR this. Fortunately that is false. “Involuntary collections” will only apply to those who are in DEFAULT. What portion are in default? About 13% No one else needs to worry. If you are making payments, but behind, the government will work with you. If you are current, you don’t have to worry at all. So, what is the value in FEAR? Click bait and gaslighting. The headline should read: “What student loan borrowers WHO ARE IN DEFAULT need to know about ‘involuntary collections.’”
6. Another huge tool is CONFUSION. The gas lighter can’t win if the person he/she is trying to gaslight has a firm grip on reality. Read this headline from Parents: “How To Help Your Child Navigate Their First Period with Confidence.” Nowhere in the article was it made clear that this can only happen to someone born female (with a uterus). Read the headline again. A reality-based headline would have read, “How to Help Your DAUGHTER Navigate HER First Period with Confidence.” The “experts” have chosen to use confusing language rather than reality-based language.
It is my hope these posts have opened the eyes to the amazingly common use of gaslighting by those who should be “reporting truth.”
Copyright 2025 Donald Whelpley
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