Simplify and then Exaggerate

One of the commonly used technique by governments and in journalism is “simply and then exaggerate”. Simplification is necessary in daily life. Exaggeration is useful for catching attention. Unfortunately, some people use it to create misunderstanding and incite hatred, which is dangerous and irresponsible.

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We all simplify

We all simplify. That’s the only way to handle the complex world.

Both “nuclear power is clean” and “nuclear power is dangerous” are simplifying statements. How many people can fully evaluate the many aspects of nuclear power? When one does, what one tells the world will be ignored, because it doesn’t make headlines, and it is too complicated to be understood. That’s why analyses are reduced to simple statements such as the above two.

Dangerous simplification


Simplification and then exaggeration is commonly used in journalism. One example is on immigration matters. Some newspapers promote the simplified and exaggerated views “immigrants get all the jobs”, “immigrants weaken this country by consuming a lot of its resources", "immigrants come to take advantage of our social benefits”. The editors know that these are simplified views. They also know that they have exaggerated these views. They have conveniently ignored the fact that many immigrants are professionals and experts that contribute to the society. The hospitals wouldn't run without foreign doctors and nurses. Universities won't run without overseas scholars.


Simplification is perhaps essential


The above are not an isolated examples. They reflect the general picture. Individuals and societies simplify everything. Simplifying allows others to understand.


Even if one has the sophistication to understand the full picture, one does not necessarily have the time to do so. Given the lack of time, one has to choose between forming a simplified view and not forming a view at all. I would not say whether simple view or no view is better. I suspect that most people will naturally choose the former.


Exaggeration could be irresponsible


Exaggeration allows the message to catch attention and get message across. It is commonly used in daily life. It is often used in humour. Exaggeration is used to by journalists to sell newspapers, by government officials to get elected and promote policies, by companies to promote products. Having private goals is understandable. Achieving private goals through irresponsible exaggeration, such as inciting hatred, is unacceptable.


Exaggeration is irresponsible when it is used deliberately to create misunderstanding, hatred and confrontations. Some governments use simplification and exaggeration to incite hatred towards other countries and cultures. Some newspapers use simplification and exaggeration to incite hatred towards immigrants and promote racial confrontation. These acts are rather dangerous. Unfortunately, they work on people when they don’t think deeply.


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