Decoding the Media

Just a friendly reminder... so-called "mainstream news" is not necessarily a reliable source of information. I'm not saying don't watch it - by all means watch it, but remember to do so with critical thinking skills... in other words, don't get sucked into the the deception. With the onslaught of so much information, it's difficult to know what to think or what is true. Here are some things to remember:

1. 1) Look out for rumors, conjecture, exaggeration, conflation, selective editing and blowing things out of context.
2. 2) Piece the article or video clip together to see if you can spot the agenda behind the story - there is almost invariably an agenda, sometimes it takes a sharp eye and objective mind to spot it.
3. 3) Learn the difference between passion and fact. Just because a statement is beautifully and passionately stated does not make it true.
4. 4) Follow the money. Many stories are promoted using campaign funds and lobbyists with deep pockets. This is literally a multi-billion dollar industry. Money talks.
5. 5) Check your emotions and pick out facts. Media is ALL about emotion. Nobody wants to watch a dry speech - however... such narratives are carefully crafted and calculated to elicit emotional responses, rather than provide factual information.
6. Explore both sides of the issue. As issues become more heated, media becomes more polarized - even to the point of extremism. Often (but not always) the truth is found somewhere in-between.
7. Dig deeper. Biased sources (pretty much all of them) highlight what they want you to see and hear while glossing over or completely omitting crucial, but pertinent information.
8. Sometimes the truth is obfuscated not by what is said but HOW it is said. Listen for understanding. Media is much akin to sales or a con. The truth is buried in there, but you need to develop skills to decode it for accuracy.
9. Don't react. Breaking stories rarely have enough information to make an informed decision or opinion and as stated before, don't let your emotions override facts. Don't jump to conclusions at first glance.
10. Know the difference between science and Science™ (or pseudoscience). The true scientific method is to look for facts, not cherry-pick them to advance an agenda or promote an ideal. Science does not lie, but people do. Once again, follow the money trail. If a scientific study only looks at a part of the data or relies on computer modeling, ignoring current data and measurements, it's not science. It's an agenda. Oftentimes celebrities and educated "experts" make assertions that are well-beyond their area of study or expertise. Know their backgrounds, level of education and biases before falling into a flawed belief system.
11. Educated yourself. Having a college degree does not automatically endow you with expertise on ever subject. Education is a lifelong pursuit and requires humility and an open mind. Once you believe you are "educated" and therefore don't need to learn anymore you actually attest to your ignorance.
12. Current events and issues - understand that things change, people change and what was true yesterday isn't necessarily true today. Some people/entities and things change for the better, others change for worse or they just get better at lying. That being said, this does not necessarily apply to morals, values and principles based upon truth, righteousness and honor.
13. Media can and IS manipulated to falsely portray events or are complete fabrications. Check your sources and research multiple sources.
14. So-called "fact" checking websites are not always truthful or unbiased. Keep in mind that these are subject to being skewed by their own biased opinions and also being sold out to those with lots of money. Raw data from government sources may provide better insight, but remember that U.S. government has been involved in scandals from corruption, so data may be skewed, redacted or inaccurately presented.
15. Take accountability for yourself and become a thinking, responsible adult. Never shift that responsibility onto another person or entity or the government. We all need help from time-to-time, but ultimately we are ALL agents unto ourselves and responsible for our own actions, thoughts, words... or apathy, negligence and idleness - whatever the case may be.