So, what is the point of reading and critiquing such alternative sources of media? I completely understand that the purpose is to seek differing views, to respect other views, and to possibly shed light on alternate realities, as a result. Likewise, progress does not take place until we question where and who we get our information from, or what agendas back such information. I am a high school teacher, and in terms of classroom application of alternative media sources, I should give my students the opportunities to awaken to other possibilities of truth and to, ultimately, decide for themselves what they believe. Likewise, offering students real opportunities to obtain various sources of information, various viewpoints and agendas, and to analyze experiences different from their own is what truly promotes individualism and increases school’s potential to be a “great equalizer”. This is underlined and ultimate purpose of finer education, and I fully understand that I am an agent of that purpose.

The bottom line is, however, that everyone wants to spin a story, or a “truth”, and everyone wants the privilege of authority to say what “truth” is. Fringe theorists are no different from this human tendency, and I feel as though Terry Morrone exemplifies this repeatedly throughout his article when he points out his intellectual status as a Professor of Physics, thus giving credibility to his voice, and later states, “Much finer minds can be found on the internet or in books. If you want to learn about a topic, such as the financial crisis, use an internet search engine such as Google. You can get the opinions of Nobel Prize winners and prominent intellectuals instead of establishment lackeys on the TV.” Morrone embodies his own implied message that with status comes power, with power comes authority, and with authority comes manufactured credibility with which one can manipulate the minds and wills of others. I am frustrated when reading these articles because I am left to feel as though “truth” will always be abstract and manufactured. If this is so, what is the point of life? Where do we draw the line? I agree that beneath the surface, some “realities” are utter lies. On the flip side, however, I am an optimist and believe that some realities may be taken for face value. I liken this idea to an individual who is disgruntled by numerous failed relationships. After losing faith, becoming completely jaded, and rejecting all prospectively positive significant others based on the fear of repeating same mistakes or experiencing the same kind of pain, he ultimately never finds a mate with whom he can be happy. The conclusion I draw from this article and “Haiti: The Empire Strikes Back” it that it is crucial to question your well-being, to question the well-being of the world, and to avoid rallying around the flag like an automaton. But, occasionally, it is just as important to take a leap of faith in your leaders, in your country, in your peers, and in your world.