I do. Goodness knows I have never seen such and would not believe there were people out there like this if I didn't know one in person. At first, it was laughable. Now, it's just embarrassing.
The internet provides a plethora of information.
I think we use the internet just like newspapers, the news, or choosing a therapist. If we like what we read or hear or know that someone agrees with us, that's what we stick with. We like an affirmation of our beliefs. Why? Because the truth is not always easy to face and it doesn't sell newspapers or whatever the news channels advertisers are selling or how therapists get paid. The internet loves that we do this and provides a plethora of information right and wrong so we can pick whatever suits our own personal perspective.
We don't have to be lemmings.
How easy life would be to just wander around in a dense fog of only what makes us happy. An endless supply of ice cream, meals that prepare themselves, immediate weight loss, money in the bank account, instant cures for all diseases, no more abuse to any living thing ever, world peace... But if you see online that there's a pill for any of that, don't believe it. We don't have to be lemmings which I've read do comment mass suicide and the mass suicide tale is merely that, a tale. A tall tale.
Be careful about what you read/see/hear on the internet.
I've practically beat it over the heads of students and adults to be careful about what you believe on the internet. Do your research and not just online. Listen to your intuition which knows way more than the internet ever will. If you don't have common sense, find someone who does and let them help you. But for goodness sakes, and this is your Public Service Announcement: DO NOT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU READ/HEAR/SEE ON THE INTERNET.
Being skeptical is a good idea.
When in doubt, don't.
Who knows the origin of 'when in doubt, don't'? Did you Google it?
Well said my friend. Hubby and I always say, it must be true, we just saw in on the TV or on the Internet. It makes us laugh anyway!
ReplyDeleteIt is funny, isn't it? Until someone really believes it. LOL
Delete"If you don't have common sense, find someone who does and let them help you." That's very logical advice but I suspect those without common sense will not know or admit they don't have it. Yes there certainly has been fraud, fake info, cons, etc. long before the internet but the ease at which people can create this crap and then quick spread it is something new. Also with global connectivity we are exposed to stuff from cultures strange to us. Overall I think that is a good thing but some of the odd stuff is so weird it causes us to start believing most any weird thing. For example, do a news search on "investors protest in china" - you'll find a weird story of a live donkey being fed to the lions at a zoo.
ReplyDeleteThat's true. Although the few I know do admit they don't have any common sense. I think I'll pass on the search. That's something that would make me sick. And cry. You're right about the ease they create it and the speed with which is gets out there. It's just crazy. And the cultural differences- how do we discern truth from fiction on things about which we know nothing?
DeleteI'm afraid that I have an acquaintance who does 'research' all the time and expresses her confidence in anything she learns on YouTube. Yes. YouTube. Seriously. SMH
ReplyDeleteOh, my. That's not good.
DeleteI wonder at times what someone from a hundred years ago would make of the internet
ReplyDeleteWouldn't that be interesting? I hadn't thought of that.
DeleteGreat post Pam!
ReplyDeleteThere's so much crazy stuff on the Internet but also so much interesting stuff. It's all about using common sense and using credible sources.
ReplyDeleteAgreed! But so many fail to use that common sense.
DeleteI never get how people confuse fake news for real news ... as a journalist, a little checking would solve the issue. Thank you so much for sharing this!
ReplyDeleteI agree. I used to tell my students to use .gov and .edu more than anything else but to still check. They were more cautious than their parents and my students were in elementary school. Ha!
DeleteI wrote a post recently pointing out that I am not the news! This is a good reminder for everyone. If it doesn't sound right or even if it does, you need to check the source and the information. We can make fools of ourselves if we don't.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely agree! Thank you.
DeleteSmiling at this call to wise skepticism from the Founding Fathers. :-)
ReplyDeleteAren't those funny? :)
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