Selective critical thinking

Before you read the rest of this, I want you to re-read the tagline above.

Truth is subjective by depth of investigation.

If you investigate nothing, then the truth is what lies on the surface. Lies being the operative word here.

I think it safe to say that a majority of my readers KNOW mass media lies. At best ‘spins’ the information for a desired emotional output. It can be seen simply enough by comparing headlines to article content. They (media) know that 95% don’t read more than the headlines, so they spin the headline content for reaction. Recently in time, this has become known as ‘click bait’; get them in to the site for the numbers, but don’t give them what they came for. Most people will read half the article, never getting to the meat of the matter and takeaway a twisted sense of ‘informed opinion’. Then, they run rampant on social media and the spin keeps spinning and misinformation continues to spread.

Words have meanings, but that meaning can be manipulated. One of my favorite books goes through great pains to describe this. “Eats, shoots, and leaves.” If you’ve never been exposed to the book, I’ll demonstrate that little tidbit for you. The above quote is one sentence, mis-punctuated by writer/editor. It is supposed to describe the diet of a Panda. With the punctuation it describes an event if not taken in context of a paragraph describing said panda diet. No change to wording needed, just a couple of apostrophes. Four words, no change other than puncuation and two entirely different messages. Think the people in the media don’t know this trick?

So we know they lie! So why do so many still use those outlets and quote them?

Simple answer: its easiest.

And thats the problem. Human nature is to find the simplest solution, always! Investigating truth can be hard work, and when your life has “more important shit” lined up, you’ll accept someone elses opinion as fact if it meshes with yours.

Hard choice: easy life. Easy choices: hard life.

Take the hard road, investigate, educate, think: FOR YOURSELF. Your life will be much easier.

Fair warning for you: you might find your friends list gets smaller. A LOT smaller.