This month those of us who have grown up with the American Space Program have been celebrating the 48th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon Landing. It remains the greatest feat in human history.
A fellow writer, Jason, posted on Facebook a link, which is a humorous look at the subject of the entire moon landing as a hoax theory. The article is well written and presented, centering around the idea that Stanly Kubrick was hired to film the fake landings, his one condition being that he be allowed to film them on location. The article states he was granted the condition, and did take film crews to the moon to film the fake landings.
As I said, the article is well written, and humorous. When reading it one can imagine the true believers in the hoax theory, and those that believe the idea that Mr. Kubrick helped NASA fake the Apollo missions, reading the article and thinking, “finally, someone is publishing the truth.”
I have met several people over the last 48 years who believe the entire space program from the beginning to the present is all a hoax. They are steadfast in their conviction, and no amount of science, logic, or debunking of their pet “proof” will sway them from their conviction it is all a hoax. I have come to understand that they, for reasons only they know, must believe in a government hoax, no matter how silly the conspiracy, or how poorly constructed.
When I saw Jason’s post I didn’t open the link, but I responded tongue in cheek, asking if his doctor had him on meds. I should have opened the link first. But we had a fun give and take over the headline.
Then someone else, another fellow writer jumped in having not read the link either. He was angry about the entire idea, saying he had no time for fake news. Jason suggested he read the link, but he refused, and if anything became angrier.
We explained it was satire, a funny article meant to poke fun at the people believing in the hoax theory, but it did no good.
It is bad enough people in general take this attitude, but a writer doing so is unforgivable. Such articles and forums are a treasure trove of story ideas, and one as well written at this is, gives motivation to me at least, to sharpen my craft, to become a better writer with each new word on the screen.
I understand we are daily fed questionable news, some, okay, most are based on an agenda of half-truths and outright lies. I have witnessed this up-close and personal. Fake news is a problem. Too few people bother to fact check things anymore.
Fake news and satire are two separate things. Fake news is presented as fact, and the journalist knows he lying as he speaks. But satire is making fun of the liar and those that believe without question what the journalist is lying about.
Lighten up, laugh a little.