Misinformation and the Australian fires

[rslade]

A number of major news sources have reported that 183 arsonists have been arrested in connection with the bushfires currently sweeping Australia.

The thing is, that number isn't true.  It's based on reports from News Corp, relying on a total figure from last year, not this.  Initially, this report was widely circulated by far right websites and personalities (including Donald Trump Jr.) since it undermines any assertion that global climate change is part of the issue.

This year 24 people have been arrested for setting fires, but the vast bulk of the larger and more dangerous fires have been sparked by lighting.

The fact that the 183 figure has been so widely disseminated in supposedly legitimate media is rather disturbing ...

[rslade]

> CISOScott (Community Champion) posted a new reply in Industry News on 01-10-2020

> If the voices in my head all agree with me does that
> mean we have a quorum?

It's OK to talk to yourself.

It's even OK to argue with yourself.

If you argue with yourself and lose, then you might have a problem ...

[MikeGlassman]

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@rslade wrote:

It's OK to talk to yourself.

It's even OK to argue with yourself.

If you argue with yourself and lose, then you might have a problem ...

---

Are you claiming that if I have more than one personality, that I have a problem ?

Perhaps I am simply a person who is never alone even when locked in a room with rubber walls...

Regarding the fires in Australia and misinformation, how about the fire maps that were disseminated and which show fires in areas that had no fires.

All in all, I am sad about the hundreds of thousands of animal lives that were lost due to this.

[TonyVizza]

There is truth to your post, rslade, and significant debate has raged about some of these inaccurate figures circulated about arson being the cause of bushfires. 

A good article which helps to clarify the truth can be located here by the national public broadcaster in Australia, the ABC: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-01-11/australias-fires-reveal-arson-not-a-major-cause/11855022

[rslade]

> MikeGlassman (Contributor I) edited a reply in Industry News on 01-12-2020 12:00

>   Regarding the fires in Australia and
> misinformation, how about the fire maps that were disseminated and which show
> fires in areas that had no fires.   All in all, I am sad about the hundreds of
> thousands of animal lives that were lost due to this.

False positives. Contributing to waste of resources, and possibly directing
resources away from areas that need them.

Apparently they also have false negatives, showing no fires in some areas that
were burnt out. A number of people have been denied emergency and recovery
funds due to this.

====================== (quote inserted randomly by Pegasus Mailer)
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[rslade]

> MikeGlassman (Contributor I) posted a new reply in Industry News on 01-11-2020

>   Perhaps I am simply a person who is never alone even when locked in
> a room with rubber walls...

I prefer the theory that those with dementia make new friends, every day ...