"Making good decisions doesn't merely rely on how much information we take in; it also depends on the quality of that information. If what we've instead ingested and accepted is misinformation or disinformation - incorrect information that doesn't align with factual reality - then we not only become susceptible to grift and fraud ourselves, but we risk having our minds captured by charismatic charlatans. When that occurs, we can lose everything: money, trust, relationships, and even our mental independence."
"When someone is compelling to us, and their arguments are convincing to us, we tend to go along with them, lauding both the idea and the one who puts it forth. We're even more vulnerable if the idea is something that appeals to us emotionally, playing on our fears, hopes, preconceptions, preferences, or ideologies. However, no argument, no matter how well-crafted, can ever turn fiction into fact."
Accurate information is necessary for sound decision-making, but only when the information is truthful and reliable. Consuming misinformation or disinformation exposes people to grift, fraud, and capture by charismatic manipulators, risking money, trust, relationships, and mental independence. Emotional appeals that play on fears, hopes, preconceptions, preferences, or ideologies increase susceptibility to false but persuasive claims. No argument, however well-crafted, can turn fiction into fact. Carl Sagan formulated a baloney detection kit to help separate fact from fiction. Practical lessons include demanding independent confirmation and stating underlying facts and assumptions up front to align inquiry.
Read at Big Think
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