This is a complicated subject. I'm only going to do a quick rough draft—because this is the internet and because most people don't want to think or can't think or both.
When you read something, how do you know if it is true? How do you know if the source is reliable? I would guess the following are among the most common reasons.
When you read something, how do you know if it is true? How do you know if the source is reliable? I would guess the following are among the most common reasons.
- An authority figure says so: Parents, teachers, friends, spouse, neighbors, critics
- It's a popular source
- It's an unpopular source
- It says things you like to hear
- It's been around for a long time
- It hasn't been around for a long time
- It's consistently right
- It's cited by other sources you like
- It's been criticized by sources you dislike
- It's affiliated with a source you like
- It's written in ALL CAPS, so it must be true
- It has pictures, so it must be true