I tend to speak despite not having all of the necessary facts. In many cases, I speak about things that I want to be true rather than how they actually are. In some cases, my beliefs are entirely vindicated, in others ... well, let's say that I've bought into some stories that further investigation proved to be false.
As an example, for decades I believed that Mr. Rogers was a sniper in Vietnam who started his show as a type of therapy and that his long sleeved shirts were to cover up the tattoos on his arms. I first heard the story from a friend (whose reliability was not always the best to begin with) but I heard and read it in other places as well. I even found Internet sites that supported the opinion. Thus, I spread this disinformation as interesting trivia (and because I wanted it to be true; I like the idea of such a peaceful man doing what he does from such a choice while still having the capability to take someone down). It was only earlier this month that someone pointed out proof of my error. It only took me a few minutes from that moment to then find a great deal of evidence to show, not just my mistake, but from where it probably originated.
My research courses have had the positive effect of making me more open to legitimately questioning the information that I take in. I am trying to apply what I have learned more to my day to day life as well. With the amount of information, and misinformation, now spinning around us, I believe that it is even more important to not limit ourselves to sources of information that only tell us what we want to be true. Our world is a complex place, yet so many people want us to see things only one way or the other. This forced dichotomy is to blame for so much of the bile that I see spread online.
I need to recognize this within myself and not be one of those who spreads animosity. I need to look past what I want to be true and find the Truth that actually resides. I need to be willing to look beyond my preconceived notions. If I am not willing to do so, how can I expect others to? More importantly, why would they have any reason to trust me?
As an example, for decades I believed that Mr. Rogers was a sniper in Vietnam who started his show as a type of therapy and that his long sleeved shirts were to cover up the tattoos on his arms. I first heard the story from a friend (whose reliability was not always the best to begin with) but I heard and read it in other places as well. I even found Internet sites that supported the opinion. Thus, I spread this disinformation as interesting trivia (and because I wanted it to be true; I like the idea of such a peaceful man doing what he does from such a choice while still having the capability to take someone down). It was only earlier this month that someone pointed out proof of my error. It only took me a few minutes from that moment to then find a great deal of evidence to show, not just my mistake, but from where it probably originated.
My research courses have had the positive effect of making me more open to legitimately questioning the information that I take in. I am trying to apply what I have learned more to my day to day life as well. With the amount of information, and misinformation, now spinning around us, I believe that it is even more important to not limit ourselves to sources of information that only tell us what we want to be true. Our world is a complex place, yet so many people want us to see things only one way or the other. This forced dichotomy is to blame for so much of the bile that I see spread online.
I need to recognize this within myself and not be one of those who spreads animosity. I need to look past what I want to be true and find the Truth that actually resides. I need to be willing to look beyond my preconceived notions. If I am not willing to do so, how can I expect others to? More importantly, why would they have any reason to trust me?
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