“We instinctively believe what other people tell us, even with no corroboration. We are especially credulous about statistics or other information that sounds like objective facts” (Huemer 56). Credulous means a great readiness to believe things.
I don’t know about you, but I’m fascinated by the large amount of disinformation circulating. People are willing to change their ideologies based on a single unfounded Tweet or a biased news story.
I’m guilty of getting swept up in a crowd, letting my emotions get the best of me, and acting on poorly vetted sources. I’m guilty of letting religious, political, and cultural inclinations get the best of me.
I can’t fix the world, but I can fix myself. I can learn to be more skeptical, rigorous, and thoughtful. I can put space between a news story and my response. I can postpone judgment until I’ve gathered sound facts. I can sleep on it, get more sources, and measure my words.
I can learn to be more rational in this world. So, how about it? Will you join me?
Until tomorrow, read slowly – take notes – apply the ideas.
-Eddy
Works Cited:
Huemer, Michael. Knowledge, Reality, and Value. Michael Huemer, 2021.
Published by