Using small facts to obscure a larger issue has been around for ages – but modern technology has turned a drizzle into a deluge.
The word processor changed the book world: churning out sequels as fast as fingers could type – with salability as the constant goal. Books blossomed in size – 350, 400, 500 pages – published as fast as stamped foil covers could be produced: “Another ‘!!!’ novel in the ‘$$$’ series.” The best sellers became almost the entire book market.
Equally overwhelming changes were overtaking the world of research and statistics – historical and scientific “facts” received pride of place because they were endlessly cited and repeated – not because of any verifiable roots.
The best place to hide unpleasant facts; is with a sea of conforming facts – a SEO flood that will saturate popularity driven searches: muddying the waters against all but the most diligent research — and who these days takes the trouble to do diligent research to inform their opinions?
Tompkins County uses these facts as barriers to separate the people from the reality of the issues that most affect their lives. What is the perceived reality? That their government is corrupt — they haven’t stopped the people from looking through the bars. Not yet.