Conspiracy theorists, entertaining podcasters, alt-news publishers, and disinformation specialists abound in today’s multimedia world and we are left to sort out what is news, what is info-entertainment, and what is just spin-for-profit.    Critical thinking is the  essential tool required, but some principles/rules can also be used.

How Reliable Is the Source?

• In today’s world, influencers, podcasters, and featured commentators are numerous and are heard every day, and the more entertaining they are, the larger the audience.   Saying safe things is not very interesting, so the more outrageous and quote-worthy they are, the better the audience share.    There may be some truth in what is said, but we need to remember that they are making statements for personal profit (many are paid very well) and truth is less important than entertainment or alternately providing to some what they want to hear.
• Complex ideas are not easy to communicate so it is easier to simplify, even if it is misleading to do so.   Entertainers use simplification to connect to their viewers/listeners.
• Expertise is a constant issue.    What is the person’s background, qualifications, and soundness of mind?
• Anyone who is an outlier may appeal to a sector of the population, but we need to ask, “Why is he/she an outlier?”   The scientific and academic communities have a sound practice of peer review.   Theories with data provided are published and expert review follows.   Anyone is entitled to opinions, but if there is no support from the academic/scientific community, are those opinions credible?
• We need to be cautious about misinformation spread for a purpose.    There are agencies and determined individuals who work to destabilize, discredit, or disenfranchise institutions, civil society, democratic governments, and societal mores for their own hidden purposes.

Hemmingway was talking about writing, but this works well for daily life too:

“The most essential gift for [us] is a built-in, shock-proof, shit-detector.”

If our detectors aren’t always ready, its easy to swallow the poison pill of misinformation.