Facts/Opinions and BiasHow did the adverse effects of DDT affect

people's opinions in the developed world? • Experts opinion was that DDT was extremely harmful to

the environment• 1970 – most countries banned DDT• Opinions based on the facts resulted in people’s

behaviour change and DDT was no longer used.

Why is it different in many parts of the developing world?

• However, developing countries still produce and use DDT• Low cost and high degree of effectiveness against MalariaExample:• 1996 spraying of DDT was stopped in South Africa and the

cases of Malaria increased by 150 per cent.• When spraying resumed cases of Malaria decreased

dramatically.

1.a. What is the difference between facts and opinions?

Give an example of each, other than what is mentioned in the text.

Opinions: the beliefs that people hold, and the judgments they make about events. Opinions are subjective because they form as a result of one’s personal outlook on life.

Facts: Knowledge that is certain and incontestable, observations, or personal experience. Facts are objective.

1.c. Provide two other examples of people continuing to behave in a certain manner despite knowing the negative implications of their actions.

• Over fishing most of the world’s oceans• Governments not providing adequate

funding for education• Driving vehicles that consume large

quantities of fossil fuel• Cutting more trees than are planted• Smoking when you know it causes cancer• Not funding urban transit systems

• Bias is the presentation of an issue from a single point of view.

How does bias usually show up?• Including facts that only support your point of

view• Use of language (biased words) especially the

choice of verbs and adjectives• Selecting statistics that only support your point

of view and neglecting others• Selection of Images/maps to support your issue

2. What is bias?

Mercator Projection

• Equatorial regions are smaller• Polar regions are larger

Robinson Projection

Shape of the countries in the polar regions are badly distorted. Used by national geographic 1988 – 1998.

Mercator Projection - bias

• Projection was used to emphasize the size of the British empire during the 19th century, by extension its power and influence around the world.

• Countries in the equatorial region objected because they felt it diminished their importance

Three Gorges: Different Perspectives

Question 1

• Both articles should be reliable• One is official government• Other respected environmental group• Each argument is skewed

Question 2

• Both present arguments that appear valid and persuasive

• Can both sides be right?

• Yes. Because both are using facts and opinions to support their point of view

• People are often swayed not by facts, but by the manner in which facts are presented.

Question 3

• Examples of based language:Pro: Chinese Government

– “World’s largest” – is used three times and “world’s most famous” is used once

– …”charming” scenery will be left untouched

Con: (Probe International)– “catastrophic” flooding during construction– Corruption scandals “plagued” during the

project– …as cheaper power sources become

available that “lure” away customers