The Spin Cycle of Truth

If you were around in the 70’s, you’ll never forgot the movie Jaws, adapted from Peter Benchley‘s book. Let’s just say it wasn’t beach reading.

The premise was frightening. A eastern seaboard resort town. Families on vacation. Sun. Laughter. Swimming. And a killer shark. 

Much of the movie centered on the cover-up by the city officials who didn’t want a little thing like killer sharks ruining their summer tourism season.

Who can forget Amity Mayor Vaughn, at a press conference, who said this, “I’m pleased and happy to repeat the news that we have, in fact, caught and killed a large predator that supposedly injured some bathers. But, as you see, it’s a beautiful day, the beaches are open and people are having a wonderful time. Amity, as you know, means ‘friendship.'”

There is a tendency to cover up the bad. We see it all the time. If you follow Wall Street, you know that companies who give their annual reports find the one bit of good news and leap on it. If revenue is down, they’ll still point out that Widget A increased sales among 50-54 males in Maryland. And that’s supposed to help us feel better.

Politicians spin a similar line of thinking. Yes, people are losing their jobs because of ObamaCare, but that means they’ll have more time at home.  Sure, unemployment is hovering near 7 percent, but consumer confidence is up. Manufacturing volume is down, but jobs are being created in the green industry. The rich are getting richer, but they are providing employment opportunity. You get it.

If you have watched Jay Carney, the president’s press secretary — and nearly all the others before him — you see shading of the truth in nearly every answer. It would be a very difficult job, to protect your boss through verbal gymnastics.

Professionally, I work in public relations. So I’m always cognizant about truth-telling. I want to be a man of my word and not engage in spin. I recently read a definition that was pretty good:

The techniques of media spin include:

• Selectively presenting facts and quotes that support one’s position. Cherry picking.
• Non-denial denial
• Phrasing in a way that assumes unproven truth
• Euphemisms used to disguise the agenda
• “Burying bad news”: announcing one popular thing at the same time as several unpopular things, hoping that the focus will be on the popular one.

I see me at times using all of these techniques in my own life, as I grapple with truth.

How many times have I been asked, “How are things?” My response? “Great.” “Fine.” “Blessed.” I then I spin a tale of joy and happiness to keep everyone satisfied. It’s beautiful. The beaches are open. I’m having a wonderful time.

[box] What He Said: “Instead, let your message be ‘Yes’ for ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ for ‘No.’ Anything more than that comes from the evil one.” Matt: 5:37[/box]

What’s your opinion?

Linking up with Jennifer Lee, Laura Boggess, Emily W, and Michelle Derusha.