The new way of life gets rid of lying

As we consider today’s theme, I recall an advertising campaign for Isuzu Cars & Trucks that ran from 1986-1990. It featured actor, David Leisure, as Joe Isuzu, a narcissistic, pathological liar with a smarmy grin telling outlandish claims about Isuzu cars that would be clarified during the commercial like:

• “It’s so inexpensive you can buy it with your spare change.” (Text: “If you have $6,189.00 in quarters.”)

• “If I’m lying, may lightning hit my Mother.” (Text: “Good luck, Mom.”)

• “The Isuzu Trooper can hold the whole state of Texas.” (Text: 78.2 Cubic Feet of Texas.)

• “It has more seats than the Astrodome.” (No, it doesn’t.)

• “I swear on my Mother’s grave the quality of this Isuzu.” (Cell Phone Rings: “Oh, Hi Mom. This isn’t a good time. Can I call you back?”)

The ad campaign raised Isuzu’s brand recognition to the level of Pepsi & Jell-O. It was so popular because Isuzu had successfully tapped into the cynical consumer mindset, which already assumed most car ads were full exaggerations or hyperbole.

A Gallup poll from October 2022 found that only 34% of Americans have a great deal of confidence in the media reporting the news fully & fairly. ¹ When traditional news sources forfeit their credibility & the trust of their readers/viewers, then it creates an environment where all news sources become viewed as equally reliable. (We aren’t solely picking on journalists. This can be true for all fields & professions who are also suffering with a loss of standing with the general public. Sadly, in some cases the proverbial “the best & the brightest” have been neither.) This credibility vacuum allows fake or misleading news stories to proliferate.

So, what are we to do? Doing some online research on today’s topic, I came across some helpful tips from some pretty noteworthy experts to help us navigate the endless flow of fake, false, or misleading news:

• “Avoid living in an echo chamber where everything you read or hear agrees with your own views. Who wants a bunch of “yes men” telling you again & again you are awesome?” – Alexander The Great, 320 B.C. (Um… – Editor.)

• As Benjamin Franklin wrote in Poor Richard’s Almanack in 1757: “Verily, do not rely on everything you read in pamphlets, posted bills, newspapers, or online or you may be as shocked as if you had flown a kite in a thunderstorm.” (This may need some verification – Editor.)

• “Don’t be in such a rush to pass on every little tidbit of news you receive. It’s perfectly okay to wait for more information to come forth. Don’t be that fool trying to be a 24/7 news service to the world.” – Ted Turner, 1979. (It’s highly doubtful the founder of CNN would have said this – Editor.)

• “Today’s editing technology is so impressive, anyone can fake a sound bite or make it very misleading.” – Milli Vanilli February 21, 1990. (Milli Vanilli, the French/German R&B duo who had to return their Grammy Award because they were lip-synching their songs, would be experts on this topic; but the quote is still fake. Though their song, “Girl You Know It’s True,” is a powerful testament to romantic teen angst – Editor.)

• “Not every video snippet shot on your phone or forwarded to you is going to be newsworthy or earth-shattering.” -David Zapruder November 20, 1963. (It’s questionable that the gentleman who filmed JFK in Dallas on his video camera would have said this – Editor.)

• “Avoid trolls & those who make outrageous statements just to get a reaction or a few clicks. These are not bridges you want to cross.” – Peter Asbjomsen May 10, 1842. (While the author of “Three Billy Goats Gruff” about the fable of a troll living under the bridge might have held these sentiments, it’s questionable that he wrote this – Editor.)

• “It’s important to get out of your comfort zone. Meet & mingle with different people in different venues. For example, my New Year’s resolution is to go to the theater more often. – Abraham Lincoln, January 1, 1864. (Seriously? – Editor.)

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to refresh my memory of the Joe Isuzu advertising clip: Joe Isuzu Commercial

(To be clear, while these tips could be helpful, all of the above quotes are fake. Now, where did I put my old Milli Vanilli CD? – Editor.)

¹Gallup.com Megan Brenan October 18, 2022