Fake News, Fact or Opinions – Finding the Real Truth

Our late President Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) was taught by Suzanne Massie, a Russian writer, the Russian Proverb; “Доверяй, но проверяй” {Doveryai, no proveryai} (trust, but verify). We All Need to “Trust but Verify” what we read or hear in the news…

When compared to the mid-1980’s things are quite different today.  Today most of us get our news via the internet.  The latest world statistics show that over 47% (forty-seven percent) of the world’s population uses it!

source:  ebizmba.com

To the right is a chart of the Top 15 Most Popular Political News Websites | May 2017 |source: ebizmba.com

People have instant access to everything that is being published or produced.  You’re receiving it from one of the big three television networks ABC, CBS, or NBC (they all have websites as well). Your other option is receiving it one the many cable networks (CNN, FOX, MSNBC, etc.), or you are accessing it all from one the other News and Opinion Websites… this list is almost endless!

Now, determining what is Factual, Fiction or Opinions is up to you.  Ultimately it’s your responsibility to filter (trust but verify) this information.

I have taught my kids to think for themselves and to speak freely.  Having an opinion is okay!  Hell, I have an opinion about most everything; at least the things that affect my life!  I tell them “Do not speak to subjects that you don’t know,  it’s okay to say “I’m not sure,” or “I haven’t read up on it” or “I Don’t Know.”  If you choose, you can always go find out for yourself, search the internet, formulate your opinion!!!  IT’S THAT EASY. EDUCATE YOURSELF!

“Knowledge itself is Power” Sir Francis Bacon

Same News, Different Opinions

Our opinions are our own; they don’t have to be fact or absolute, they can be a point of view.   A person’s opinion is formulated by the information they have exposed themselves.   Hence, the Internet and all it’s streaming information, fact, fiction, or opinions.

If you want to be responsible for our opinions, then you need to FILTER THE FACTS FROM THE FICTION.

One thing to keep in mind, facts can and do change.   We should stay diligent in our search and be progressive enough to change our opinions if the facts warrant it.

Basing your opinion on THE FACTS should be the goal… The Truth is what we should all strive to obtain!  Oh, and by the way, there is such a thing.  I’m sure this sounds passe to some, but it is TRUE, and it is a proven FACT, the world is round!  The concept that the world was round (spherical) dates back to the 6th century BC (Greek philosophy).  Do you think this changed the conversation back in the day?

Anyway, use filters, educate yourself (trust but verify), then you can inject your thoughts into all these discussions everyone is having these days, or not.  Having the option is nice!!!!  Options are Good.

Fake, Fiction or Opinion News

In Summary:

If we want to consider ourselves to be intelligent, then we must BE intelligent!  Stop being told what to think and what to believe.  Find out for yourself what the truth is, what are the facts!  We have the resources to do this for ourselves on the world wide web; the information highway; “THE INTERNET!”  Use it for something other than picking up emails or social media connections.

Here is a great article about how to check the information out for yourself:

http://www.npr.org/sections/alltechconsidered/2016/12/05/503581220/fake-or-real-how-to-self-check-the-news-and-get-the-facts

Remember:  “Knowledge itself is Power” and most importantly “Trust but Verify”

Truth Does Set You Free…