Prof. Dror Feitelson: Lies of the Third Kind
Prof. Dror Feitelson analyzes three types of political lies: factual, consciousness-altering, and absurd lies for demonstrating loyalty. He offers different ways to deal with each type, using examples from Netanyahu, Trump, and conspiracy theories.
Prof. Dror Feitelson, a computer science lecturer at the Hebrew University, analyzes in an opinion piece the types of political lies and offers different ways to deal with them. He divides lies into three types: the first type is specific factual lies, like Netanyahu's claim that he was not warned about the Hamas attack. The appropriate response is fact-checking and publishing the gaps. The second type is lies intended to change consciousness and create an alternative reality, like justifications for continuing the war in Gaza. Here, specific refutation is ineffective, and the entire narrative must be attacked. The third type is absurd and blatant lies intended to demonstrate loyalty, like conspiracy theories about Yair Golan. The appropriate response is to laugh at them. The article concludes with a call to support a free press.