The Often Missing Step in Consuming Information

[cthulu2016]

1) See something on the Internet.

2) React to it.

The often overlooked step is:

1-a) Is this true and does it mean what the person presenting it thinks it means or wants me to think it means? Do I have any persuasive reason for thinking this is true? Who says so? Are these numbers made up? How were they arrived at? Is this account one side's version of events in a dispute? Is there a context for this datum? Am I being deceived?

[arcane1]

1. "Often" is putting it mildly!

[MineralMan]

2. Yup. And the more important the information seems,

the more closely it should be examined before accepting it as factual.

[RC]

3. The first thing to consider is, does it even make sense in the grand scheme of things.

If not, then it may be just more slant and propaganda. Otherwise known as a news story.

[Igel]

4. You didn't get to 3).

3) Declare anybody who doesn't share your level of outrage to be a RW sockpuppet or fascist troll, esp. those who insist on inserting an obvious RW-for-pay pseudo-step between 1) and 2).

/sarcasm

[cheyanne]

5. Another question: How much do I want this to be true?

Checklist levels of motivation to believe an item on the intertubes:

1. It would be nice (example: George Clooney has endorsed my stance on this issue)

2. I could use this to make a pun (example: Palin is beyond the pale)

3. I've thought the same thing myself (example: all wingnuts are not just crazy but clinically paranoid)

4. This provides supporting evidence for something I have actually said to at least one other person (example: I think that the Dodgers have a chance at the pennant)

5. This makes my enemies look really really bad (Palin is hospitalized for delusions and paranoia)

6. This would provoke an outpouring of adulation and honor for my foresight and insight (example: science proves that, with the proper encouragement, left-handeders all can be as creative as Leonardo da Vince)

7. I would get a large sum of money if this were true (example: the winning lotto numbers are 5-14-32-87-36)

8. My father, mother or other loved one would immediately stop believing that I am incompetent dreamer who views the world through rose-colored glasses (example: Father gives me start-up money for my latest plan to become independently wealthy)

9. It is possible that I could receive a Nobel prize (example: my blogging is submitted to the Swedish Academy by many people)

[treestar]

6. That sure is true

People get so gullible and the purveyors of misinformation know it.

[RobertEarl]

7. You got that right

Like people believe being spied on is good for them.

Or that nuclear power is safe and we can't live without it.

Iraq had WMD, still!

[raccoon]

8. You mean, it may not be true even if it's on the Internet?

[Fumesucker]

9. Another often overlooked step that comes after 2)

3)

[JHB]

10. What we have here, is a failure to evaluate

/Cool Hand Luke