While the Vodkapundit has no clue what to do about the media, skeptic P.Z. Myers actually has some good advice for our most gullible TV types out there:
If you're disappointed in CNN, you can always turn to MSNBC…ooops, never mind, they're solemnly reporting on the end-of-the-world nonsense from the Harold Camping Cult. They're predicting the Rapture will come on 21 May.
I would like to propose a novel version of Pascal's Wager for the news media. When apocalyptic cults come along and announce disaster and doom, ridicule them. Just rip into them, send your most sarcastic, cynical reporters to cover the story, and just shred all the followers as loons and gullible freaks. There will be two possible outcomes.
One, they're right, and the world ends. Your business has nothing to gain or lose by taking them seriously before the big event — it's going kaput no matter what. So have a grand time before the catastrophe and make money with laughter. It's not as if listening to crazy ol' Harold Camping will make a bit of difference in your fate.
Two, they're wrong, and the world keeps rolling on beyond 21 May. We all win! It means your coverage was spot on perfect, and got all the right answers, while the cultists are going to have to go glumly back to living their miserable little failed lives. Follow up with a feature on all the broken-hearted crazies. Start looking for the next mob of nuts to mock.
Excellent advice - excellent! (And he even called this cult a "cult"!) Seriously, it's not like we're going to run out of end-of-the-world nutjobs anytime soon, even with 2012 right around the corner,...The news media could have a field day - forever!
And getting them back to doing their jobs is the point, isn't it? Isn't it?We think so.
Hey, Vodkapundit, are you listening?
(I'm Al, saw this on the net!)
ReplyDeleteStamping Out Harold Camping
Is Second Coming date-setter Harold Camping worthy of death? He already has a zero batting average after his September 1994 prediction fizzle and, according to the Bible, is a false prophet.
Nevertheless that California shaman, who should be ashamed, claims he's found out that Christ's return will be on May 21, 2011 even though Matt. 24:36 says that no one knows the "day" or "hour" of it!
A Google article ("Obama Fulfilling the Bible") points out that "Deut. 18:20-22 in the Old Testament requires the death penalty for false prophets."
The same article reveals that "Christians are commanded to ask God to send severe judgment on persons who commit and support the worst forms of evil (see I Cor. 5 and note 'taken away')."
Theologically radioactive Harold Camping and his ga-ga groupies (with their billboards featuring "May 21, 2011") should worry about being "stamped out" if many persons decide to follow the I Cor. 5 command.
The above article concludes: "False prophets in the OT were stoned to death. Today they are just stoned!"