This paper
examines pseudo-events, such as news conferences, press releases, and stunts that "someone has planned, planted
or incited" to fill print space and broadcast time. The paper
examines other gimmicks used in communication, such as copy writing, market
research, psychological research, sales promotions, and public relations, which are intended to distract people from the fact that the results derived from advertising and the media are unverifiable. The paper also discusses media hype (such as the O.J. Simpson case) and looks at how pseudo-events affect politics and world affairs (such as the use of CNN in the Iraqi War).