Frankology

When we are asking a question, it is a fair assumption we are either completely ignorant of the answer, can’t remember the information, need clarification, or confirmation of the answer. Therefore, we ask, correct? What then is the bleeding obsession with the argumentative retort?

Could it be people are inherently unhappy with answers they are given; the first reaction is disbelief? Is it there is so much misinformation out there, people can no longer differentiate between bullshit and the real deal? Or is it that there is so much garbage information, they can no longer trust any information at all?

Oddly, I find the first idea to be the least concerning. This just means people are jerks, and we all know this to be true already. Finding methods of counteracting this would not be as challenging as trying to fix the eventual consequences of the last two ideas. If trust in values such as good faith, expert-knowledge, and provider-client relationships are lost, then all is eventually lost. The entire system will break down.

The trouble is, the access to unfiltered information places deeply unqualified people in a position to spread misinformation and opinion, as fact. Although, this is not the real trouble. The real trouble is we are not providing individuals (especially youths) with the tools to sift through, process and recognize what is nonsense. What you end up with is entire generations who find themselves the least informed despite unprecedented access to learning. This is our fault – not theirs. We did this.

With the mania around fake news, it is easy to forget the overabundance of other information available, which is not news related or political of nature. Much of it potentially far more damaging. Even that which isn’t, just adds to the mist, the constant barrage of drivel. Eventually, the mist will be too thick to navigate and what then?