What Is All Facts Matter?
All Facts Matter is devoted to a simple proposition: Facts, evidence, and data are the best weapons against propaganda.
Today's media—both mainstream as well as some alternative outlets—is a toxic stew of agenda-driven propaganda. Narratives are given precedence over the actual facts, evidence, and data that are the true essence of any news story; facts are mis-stated, misrepresented, or are simply missing altogether. Rather than inform, today's media is determined to indoctrinate, delude, confound, and confuse.
This is wrong.
All Facts Matter works to tilt the media landscape back in favor of honest consideration of the facts by going beyond the major news stories of the day. Here I work to present the facts the media chooses to ignore, and highlight the contexts and nuances the media chooses to distort. Where the media presents propaganda, I strive to provide information. My goal is not to tell you what to think, but to give you plenty about which to think.
Contrarian Analysis
All Facts Matter consciously presents material from a contrarian perspective. Recognizing that narrative serves to help organize the facts, each article seeks to challenge prevailing media narratives. In this fashion, I hope to call attention to the facts and evidences the original stories overlook or misrepresent.
My goal is not to “be right”, but to ensure that a more complete presentation of all relevant information is available. When people are given all the information regarding a topic, they are in the best position to form opinions and make choices regarding that topic. The fully informed individual is in the best possible position to make good decisions for his or her own daily life.
Primary Sources
To the extent possible, All Facts Matter uses primary source materials to establish the relevant facts. Where scientific research is involved, the actual research studies are referenced where available. Where quotes from individuals are relevant, links to source media are used. Actual source documents--most of which are available in the public domain with a bit of research--are given precedence over news summaries and discussions of those documents (i.e., “secondary sources”).
This is not to discount those secondary sources. News is ultimately history unfolding, and so various news accounts in both mainstream and alternative media are frequently the best sources of contemporaneous facts. When presenting divergent and alternative contexts for news stories, these sources become essential.
In all cases, the goal is to present fact-based and reasoned arguments, to spur further thought, research, and pursuit of facts. The facts ARE out there—we merely need to go get them.
To preserve the integrity and accuracy of materials cited, I endeavor to archive source materials first, using one or more of the Internet archiving sites, and link to the archived materials. If the underlying materials are then subsequently edited and changed, such revisions will not impact the integrity of All Facts Matter.
Independent Commentary
The news is more than just a dry recitation of facts and figures. While facts, evidence, and data supply the “Who”, “What”, “Where”, “When”, and “How” of a story, opinion and commentary supplies the “Why”.
Recognizing the importance of the “Why” in any news story, many of my articles—in particular the ones under “Thoughts That Matter”—are my own personal take on a story or situation. Again, the goal is not to indoctrinate and instruct on proper thinking, but to inspire independent thought an consideration of the day’s events
At the same time, I welcome comments and opinions on every article. Please tell me where I get it right, where I might have it wrong, or what additional information I might find useful. All I ask of anyone participating in a discussion thread is to treat everyone with basic respect and common decency. Disagreements are welcome. Being disagreeable is not.
Honesty Above All
I am human. I am going to make mistakes. I am going to misread, misinterpret, and misunderstand things.
I am make mistakes, and I will correct those mistakes—and do so honestly and openly. Whether there is a need to substantively revise an article in light of new additional information, changes will be fully disclosed, either by documenting revisions to articles already published or by presenting additional follow-up research clarifying and correcting previous materials.
I will make mistakes, but they will be honest mistakes.
Thank You For Your Support
This project takes in no advertising dollars, nor any other financial support save the generous subscriptions and tips through Ko-Fi from you, the readers. Your support of this project helps make the research and analysis that goes into each and every posting possible. For that support, I thank each and every one of you.
Come, let us learn together.
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