Remembering Infomercials and QVC
For those who recall the time, the world of infomercials and QVC holds a certain nostalgia.
If you’re younger, infomercials were those rather lengthy commercials on cable, mostly shown late at night. They could go on for five, ten, or even thirty minutes, trying, often clumsily, to tell a story that made you feel like you were enjoying a show instead of just watching an ad. They promoted various home and kitchen products, always providing a number to dial for placing an order.
Many of us tend to just skip past these ads, blissfully unaware that they somehow registered a “Truth-ette” in our minds.
QVC, standing for “Quality, Value, Convenience,” was basically a channel that felt like one extended infomercial, featuring hosts discussing products while interacting with callers. It was kind of like online shopping before online shopping even existed.
These channels were renowned for selling products that emulated much pricier items. One standout was, of course, the cubic zirconia stone, labeled as Diamonique — it was marketed to look just like a diamond. It sparkled and shone, giving off all the glamorous vibes at a much lower cost!
Diamonique: A Name Worth Remembering
What really stands out is the name: Diamonique. The creators clearly drew upon that classic drag queen style of naming—picking something that hints at quality, but with a cheeky twist that made it clear it was a stand-in. Iconic drag names like:
- Hedda Lettuce
- Virginia Hamm
- Anita Mann
All fit the bill, and so does Diamonique.
So shiny was Diamonique that it inspired other imitators, with one of the best being Diamelle. Can’t swing for Diamonique? Well, Diamelle is there for you!
The World of News-ique
While jewelry marketing might be entertaining, the same can’t be said for the realm of news and journalism—or whatever claims to be news. On social media, there’s a trend that allows content to masquerade as genuine news stories when they are, in fact, not.
I’ve coined the term News-ique for this. It mimics real news but has, at best, a fraction—less than 0.01%—of its value. You’ll find it spreading across Twitter/X and other platforms.
The News-ique formula is quite straightforward:
- Pick a hot-button topic that’s sure to provoke reactions from all sides—left, right, or center. The more relevant it is to today’s online discussions, the better.
- Craft a catchy lead that appeals to the reader’s biases and beliefs, ideally confirming their existing views.
- Attach an image that looks like it’s supporting a real news story but, critically, do not link to any source of the actual narrative. It might be somewhere out there, but you can’t tell just from the initial post—that’s the distinguishing characteristic of News-ique!
No follow-up, no links. Just sit back and watch the outrage unfold while clicks and cash roll in.
Understanding the Mechanics of News-ique
Here’s an actual example of News-ique. There’s a post on X from an alleged news account that shares a rather sensational claim, claiming:
Poland’s Spokeswoman for Children, Monika Horna-Cieślak, used her position to take away the children of a woman who verbally attacked her and put them in an orphanage.
Horna-Cieślak, who is childless herself, supposedly intervened in a park in Warsaw, and when confronted by the mother of a misbehaving child, she allegedly used her authority to have the children removed and placed into care.
So, why bother labeling it News-ique instead of actual news? Well, because there’s no hyperlink to a more complete source or any evidence to back it up. The conversation doesn’t lead anywhere; it’s just a flurry of X user responses.
Honestly, I can’t verify if this claim is real or fabricated; I haven’t done any independent research on it. But it serves as a prime example of countless posts that utilize the News-ique approach. My focus isn’t even really on whether the story is genuine or not, but rather on how it’s packaged, its intent, and the impact it has.
News-ique thrives because it crafts plausible outrages; it seems reasonable to believe that a government minister responsible for children could misuse her power against a mother who dared to criticize her. This kind of thing isn’t utterly unheard of. We know government figures can act unjustly and often get away with it.
What if There’s More to the Story?
But let’s entertain the notion that there could indeed be more to this tale involving the Polish official.
Now, what I’m about to suggest is just speculation to illustrate possible angles; it’s not verified information and, honestly, I can’t even confirm the essence of the original claim.
Let’s say the fundamental claim has some basis in truth. What if the mother didn’t just politely ask the minister to mind her own business? What if she lashed out and struck her? Or maybe she made some misleading claims about her online? What if the minister saw her mistreating her child?
If any of those scenarios were true, the story would shift dramatically. If the mother were indeed harming her child and the minister stepped in, then she would simply be performing her official duty—playing the role of a hero rather than a villain.
Once again, all I’ve said here is purely hypothetical. That’s the crux of the issue: without context or detailed accounts, we’re just spinning tales while pretending they’re facts.
The political narrative can veer in numerous directions. This instance seems to resonate with the concerns—valid or otherwise—of individuals on the right, as well as libertarians and those who cherish freedom. Yet, you’ll frequently find News-ique items that also align with the preconceived notions of left-leaning individuals.
The Pollution of Information
The News-ique method contributes to a kind of intellectual and emotional pollution. It leaves behind a false impression of truth that lingers in the minds of readers. And let’s be clear, this doesn’t just ensnare the less informed; it’s effective on a broad spectrum of people, regardless of their intellectual standing. Posts that validate our biases tend to stick in our minds, leaving behind something I like to call a Truth-ette. It’s something few of us manage to escape.
At its best, News-ique is lazy and irresponsible when it presents genuine claims as if they are informing readers. At its worst, it seems designed to obscure the truth while robbing readers of complete context. Outrage creates engagement and profit, while careful consideration does not.
Some might argue, “Just use Google or something to fact-check.” Fair point. But the reality is, most people won’t take that step. Even the more astute among us tend to skip the research unless they’re ready to comment or incorporate the info into some project. Most just move on to the next distraction. We often don’t realize that a News-ique piece has left a Truth-ette imprint in our minds.
Sometimes we’ll even unconsciously weave that information into our understanding of reality. I know this has happened to me and likely to many others—even when I wasn’t aware of it at the time. Whenever I realize I’ve been misled without verifying first, I try to correct myself in the same conversation thread. It’s safer to pause before reacting without having the full story.
It’s a Losing Battle
There’s really very little we can do to put an end to News-ique. The system of incentives on social media is set up for profit, making it a challenging environment to alter. What we can do is work on sharpening our skepticism and judgment.
Sure, some might suggest, “Just avoid social media altogether,” but that’s not a practical solution. Yes, social media can be a minefield of confusion and manipulation, but it’s also a resource for uncovering many truths that mainstream news often neglects.
It’s also the platform where we can engage with “citizen journalists” likewho capture instances of fraud, like misleading Somali daycares funded by American taxpayers. Often, when mainstream media becomes aware of such stories, they do their best to undermine them, as illustrated in a recent CBS News piece.
Moreover, social media provides direct access to politicians and officials, cutting out the biases that sometimes accompany traditional outlets like ABC or NBC, which might omit key information to slant a narrative.
We are unlikely to return to an era where “official news” can be deemed fully trustworthy. That reality never existed; it’s just that we now have more tools to fact-check the fact-checkers.
Next time you come across what seems to be a “news story” on a platform like Twitter or Instagram, take a moment to assess whether it’s true news or just News-ique. Check for links or context; if there’s none, chances are you’re facing News-ique.
So sure, Diamonique might bring you sparkle for that special occasion without breaking the bank, but know that News-ique is always a questionable deal, no matter the price.
