In today’s day and age, most of us tend to get our information from outlets like the news and social media. We’re subjected to these outlets most frequently, making it very easy to take in all of the information that is constantly displayed to us. The problem with this is that we get so much of our ‘common knowledge’ and ‘facts’ from outlets such as these. We treat bits of information and articles that we pass over as absolute truth. Most times without looking into it at all. This can become a problem because a lot of the things that pop up are meant to cause a reaction, rather than pass on concrete ideas and information to the reader. Instead of furthering our understanding of the event or central topic of concern, we assume that whatever the article is telling us is the most accurate and only reliable side of the story. Also, we assume that the source is credible and that we don’t need to further our understanding because it ‘must be right’.
These suppositions lead to a greater misinterpretation of the events and worse, a developing opinion which basis is in un-researched ideas. When we don’t take the time to look to the sources of these articles and bits of information we are discrediting ourselves in the process. We are determining a decision or idea absolutely without really trying to understand in depth what the main arguments are. In a lot of ways, these articles are adding to a false sense of consciousness surrounding current events and modern social issues. We assume that the information that we come across in the news and on social media is accurate and genuine. I am not saying that all of the articles and stories that are broadcasted through television and across our phone screens are inaccurate and biased. However, I am saying that a lot of them are. The only way to be able to form an in-depth opinion surrounding such things is to source and research its origins.
People take so much of what they see as true without even looking to the sources the information originates from. This is problematic because of how biased so many sources can be. When we don’t take the time to look into these events ourselves, we are being fed ideas and opinions that many take on instantaneously. Especially when the sources highlight on information that targets our moral compass. We can see so much of this happening all over the news throughout this presidential election process. Article after article pop-up on social media regarding the different candidates and all of the awful things they allegedly said. I will say that there is a lot of information out there regarding the presidential candidates that is true, but there is also a good bit that is meant to adjust the viewer’s opinion of them. These efforts can be pinpointed in most every social issue up for discussion. A lot of times these articles and sources are extremely biased and could be broadcasting inaccurate information to skew an outlook on someone or something. Taking in everything you read as fact also imposes an opinion the reader, especially when the source is biased. Which in most cases, they are. Until we research the immediate sources we cannot claim that they are completely truthful or accurate.
Researching controversial topics and issues also allows for the development of a deeper and more solid personal stance. When the facts are placed in front of us and we give ourselves the opportunity to further our own knowledge and understanding, we can more accurately determine our beliefs on the matter at hand. It’s so much easier to just go along with what we read on social media and it seems like most of the material is credible. The fact that it seems ‘credible enough’ is not a solid excuse for not looking into sources ourselves, though. Making this assumption is what can lead to misinformation and a lack of true understanding. This takes away from your own ability to come up with an original viewpoint on an issue. When you do the research and look into things that you aren’t exceptionally knowledgable about, you are allowing yourself the opportunity to learn and develop a new outlook.
My other article entitled “The Stifling Fear Of Being Wrong” talks a little bit about why research is so important because it allows for new conversation and involvement. When you actively research the things you stumble upon over the internet, with time, you will feel more equipped to join a controversial conversation. Through this conversation, you will also be able to expand on your own knowledge. It is so important to take the researching into your own hands, it leads to a better understanding over time and in the process, you have given yourself the opportunity to generate your own beliefs. Ideas that could be based off a variety of viewpoints, instead of just one. Leading to a newfound consciousness and ability to add to the conversation in the future. I’m not saying that reading through articles in the news and on social media is bad or that every article you come across is biased or portraying inaccurate ideas. What I am saying though is that, in order to truly understand you have got to educate yourself and research before declaring your opinion one way or another. Look into the original sources, develop your own opinion and engage with these issues and ideas, but do it through adequate research.
