There is a curious, loud and incessant drumbeat echoing from the villages of those who—for whatever reason—cannot or will not conceive that a burglar killed Meredith Kercher. This drumbeat has as its central theme the talking point that those who publicly argue the innocence of Raffaele Sollecito and Amanda Knox are nothing more than paid mouthpieces for a multi-million dollar publicity “machine,” (or as one person has christened it, a “P.R. Supertanker.”)
This PR “machine” is, of course, is a complete fantasy fueled by insecurity, wishful thinking, xenophobia and misplaced hatred. The theory’s paranoid ideation is reminiscent of primitive cultures struggling to explain earthquakes or volcano eruptions and learn how to protect themselves from them. Ultimately, this or that all-powerful entity was created and young women sacrificed. How little things have changed.
In truth, there is no world-wide-web of paid “shills” for the Knox/Sollecito defense. It’s a silly construct which ignores the very first obvious question, “Where’s the money coming from?” (But if someone can create a "P.R. Supertanker" myth, they can surely create a "P.R. Supertanker Funding Source" myth, too.) However, the obsessive need to portray people who disagree with them as “paid to lie,” begs the question of why it is of such importance to those who are so convinced of Raffaele and Amanda's guilt.
As one of those who have spoken in the press as much as anybody outside the families on behalf of the innocence of Knox and Sollecito, I can say with absolute certainty and without fear of contradiction: I’m not paid and never have been.
For one thing, I will not sell my opinion. For another, I am not desperate for money. Despite the earlier fallout from my involvement in the case, I have (contrary to the statements and hopes of the other side) been gainfully, even well employed for more than a year in a position I love and in an industry which has nothing to do with the Kercher case or any investigative matter.
There is no evidence to prove that a public relations “machine” (of any kind, and by any definition, official or unofficial, paid or unpaid, small or large) has paid me, or any other experts like me to say anything, do anything or assert anything regarding this case. Period. The reason I can be sure is this: There can be no evidence of something that never happened. (Sadly, a common theme in this case.)
Ironically, the “P.R. Supertanker” is actually essential to only one side in the debate over the Kercher case. It is essential to those who have bought into the guilt of Sollecito and Knox, not the other way around. It is essential because it creates a "boogey-man" on whom they can blame anything which they cannot otherwise explain.
Anyone who believes that there is such a “machine" chooses to believe a myth, decides to believe a myth, and does so in the absence any evidence whatsoever. And they do so, apparently, because it somehow resolves a conflict in their minds and provides some sort of temporary (but completely false) relief. You can pretend all you want that the growling outside your tent isn’t a bear, but ultimately he can prove you wrong.
Such behavior is tantamount to whistling in the dark. As Freud said in 'The Problem of Anxiety,’
“When the wayfarer whistles in the dark, he may be disavowing his timidity, but he does not see any the more clearer for doing so.”
Image may be NSFW.This PR “machine” is, of course, is a complete fantasy fueled by insecurity, wishful thinking, xenophobia and misplaced hatred. The theory’s paranoid ideation is reminiscent of primitive cultures struggling to explain earthquakes or volcano eruptions and learn how to protect themselves from them. Ultimately, this or that all-powerful entity was created and young women sacrificed. How little things have changed.
In truth, there is no world-wide-web of paid “shills” for the Knox/Sollecito defense. It’s a silly construct which ignores the very first obvious question, “Where’s the money coming from?” (But if someone can create a "P.R. Supertanker" myth, they can surely create a "P.R. Supertanker Funding Source" myth, too.) However, the obsessive need to portray people who disagree with them as “paid to lie,” begs the question of why it is of such importance to those who are so convinced of Raffaele and Amanda's guilt.
As one of those who have spoken in the press as much as anybody outside the families on behalf of the innocence of Knox and Sollecito, I can say with absolute certainty and without fear of contradiction: I’m not paid and never have been.
For one thing, I will not sell my opinion. For another, I am not desperate for money. Despite the earlier fallout from my involvement in the case, I have (contrary to the statements and hopes of the other side) been gainfully, even well employed for more than a year in a position I love and in an industry which has nothing to do with the Kercher case or any investigative matter.
There is no evidence to prove that a public relations “machine” (of any kind, and by any definition, official or unofficial, paid or unpaid, small or large) has paid me, or any other experts like me to say anything, do anything or assert anything regarding this case. Period. The reason I can be sure is this: There can be no evidence of something that never happened. (Sadly, a common theme in this case.)
Ironically, the “P.R. Supertanker” is actually essential to only one side in the debate over the Kercher case. It is essential to those who have bought into the guilt of Sollecito and Knox, not the other way around. It is essential because it creates a "boogey-man" on whom they can blame anything which they cannot otherwise explain.
Anyone who believes that there is such a “machine" chooses to believe a myth, decides to believe a myth, and does so in the absence any evidence whatsoever. And they do so, apparently, because it somehow resolves a conflict in their minds and provides some sort of temporary (but completely false) relief. You can pretend all you want that the growling outside your tent isn’t a bear, but ultimately he can prove you wrong.
Such behavior is tantamount to whistling in the dark. As Freud said in 'The Problem of Anxiety,’
“When the wayfarer whistles in the dark, he may be disavowing his timidity, but he does not see any the more clearer for doing so.”
Clik here to view.
So why is it so crucial that I, and people like me are branded as paid shills? Why is it so essential that people who disagree with our conclusions must convince themselves that we are part of a high-speed, well-oiled, mercenary Death Star?
Simply because if we’re not paid hypocrites, then the truth is that there are experts in science, forensics and investigations who have absolutely no reason to side with the (wrongly) accused—yet have. It means that people with authoritative knowledge on criminal cases and DNA who did not previously know the (wrongly) accused or their families, looked at the case carefully, were convinced by the evidence and believe in the innocence of Raffaele and Amanda strongly enough to spend their own time and money to see them exonerated.
It strikes at the heart of their confidence in their own understanding. People like those who advocate for Amanda and Raffaele, who believe that strongly and put so much of their own unpaid effort into the cause have no ulterior motive, and therefore can’t be easily ignored. But they can be vilified. It becomes essential to have the Supertanker. Then, it’s not logic or ideas or truth that’s beating them at the grass roots level, it’s an evil empire. Supertankers are essential in order to fuel -----
Convincing one’s self that we are mercenary shills is as futile and ultimately self-destructive as those on the Titanic who refused lifeboats, vehemently denying that the foundering ship could sink—because the real truth was too painful to consider. In the end, however, reality always overcomes delusion. We are who we say we are, individuals united only by a common cause, and history will bear this out.
So, in reality, it's not the "P.R. Supertanker" the 'other side' fears. That's simply the 'god' they have carved from wood and at which they kneel to explain a phenomenon beyond their understanding. Their greatest fear is unbiased experts coming to rational conclusions and becoming personally motivated to see truth revealed and true justice done. Truth and justice which contradict their bias.
They have met their worst nightmare--and it is us.
Simply because if we’re not paid hypocrites, then the truth is that there are experts in science, forensics and investigations who have absolutely no reason to side with the (wrongly) accused—yet have. It means that people with authoritative knowledge on criminal cases and DNA who did not previously know the (wrongly) accused or their families, looked at the case carefully, were convinced by the evidence and believe in the innocence of Raffaele and Amanda strongly enough to spend their own time and money to see them exonerated.
It strikes at the heart of their confidence in their own understanding. People like those who advocate for Amanda and Raffaele, who believe that strongly and put so much of their own unpaid effort into the cause have no ulterior motive, and therefore can’t be easily ignored. But they can be vilified. It becomes essential to have the Supertanker. Then, it’s not logic or ideas or truth that’s beating them at the grass roots level, it’s an evil empire. Supertankers are essential in order to fuel -----
Convincing one’s self that we are mercenary shills is as futile and ultimately self-destructive as those on the Titanic who refused lifeboats, vehemently denying that the foundering ship could sink—because the real truth was too painful to consider. In the end, however, reality always overcomes delusion. We are who we say we are, individuals united only by a common cause, and history will bear this out.
So, in reality, it's not the "P.R. Supertanker" the 'other side' fears. That's simply the 'god' they have carved from wood and at which they kneel to explain a phenomenon beyond their understanding. Their greatest fear is unbiased experts coming to rational conclusions and becoming personally motivated to see truth revealed and true justice done. Truth and justice which contradict their bias.
They have met their worst nightmare--and it is us.