These days information is a constant tap that is always running and access to it is instantaneous. The problem is, do we believe it and are our sources credible?
We've all been, and continue to be exposed to Fake News! Fake Videos, Propaganda and Plagiarism which leads to an accumilation of apparent confirmatory information that is believable.
The hunger to get more clicks, more friends, more viewers and more shares in order to profit-gain inevitably leads to the ever increasing need to post content that has no other reason for its existence other than to capture their audiences in a routine of regularity for commercial gains.
A lot of readers/potential customers are sometimes fooled with various 'tactics' such as the embedding of a credible story in amongst their own loose content and so bolstering or tricking the reader into a false sense of security.
In my opinion, it is far too easy to bend, manipulate or re-write information. Purposes include:
Social engineering, Consumer programming and planting the seed of doubt, in order to create chaos through propaganda. Neuro-Linguistic Programmers are exceptionally good at adopting these practices and their work will be infused into:
- Mainstream Media News sources
- Foreign Intelligence Services
- On-line encyclopedias
- Consumer based information sources
So how do we filter out the credulous to the specious? No doubt there are many ways... But has the internet as a whole become an unrelenting source of fakery for profit? Who do we believe? Sure, you may even be researching an ailment before going to your Pharma-sponsored Doctor who will only tell you about the dangers of 'Doctor Google'!
The truth is that I believe wolf has been cried too many times. I would like to think that I no longer jump into things too quickly nowadays and research as much as I can beforehand!
Many of my sources of information are now initially from pre-internet books, I then formulate some kind of background thinking/reasoning and action plan as to my questions or predicament. Only after this do I then go to the Internet for a range of views in order to complete my evaluation.
Experience based information and evaluation - Believe it or not I actually talk to other people and so build up another strand of information, not only though my trial and error but others too. Make mistakes and learn not only from yourself but other people.
Avoiding information singularity – Always Always Always seek out a secondary information source in order to confirm or deny the validity of your information feed.
There are many times in which we act on incorrect or corrupt information, rely on one particular news source or trust a single diagnosis.
Why?
I put it to you, that we have become conditioned and engineered in the name of control and profiteering. Our ability to change information or become a popular 'influencer is a great and powerful tool which no doubt will be used by many. Question everything and ensure that trust is earnt!
Seek alternatives and never rely on a single source of information, experienced based decision making wins.
NO Doubt there are many credible sources of information throughout the internet, but the trust has degenerated....Choose wisely who you trust... and do your own research.
Im not sure where I heard this but it rings in my head almost daily: If youre getting something(service/info) for free, youre not the customer, youre the product.
Im sure theres instances where this doesnt hold true but it seems more relevant today than ever before.
Mining truth from the deluge of information is going to become harder, not easier as technology progresses.
When the technology exists to alter photos, even create scenes by combining elements of real images into one that never existed. we won't be able to believe our own eyes. Videos can be made that will literally put words into peoples mouths that they never said. History itself will be able to be Photoshopped, cropped and re-edited by those who have the will and technology.
And, once the AI revolution hits, I believe truth will become like a favorite flavor or color...something that is personal and of choice to each individual.
It all reminds me of that old saying: be careful what you wish for...you might just get it.
I agree and i think we are just about there...
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Very true - hard to beleive anything in the news. It's also hard to know where other people got their information. That is one of the best ways to know something - to experience it :)
Great information.