There's misinformation (deliberately misleading), disinformation (outright lies), and empty slogans. There's also witholding vital information, or deliberately misconstruing it. This is certainly what right-wing politics has become, and extreme elements on the left are drifting into this realm as well. As long as there is a lack of critical thinking in the general populace, this will continue. AI is already, and will continue to make this even worse. Aside from the fact that use of AI discourages critical thinking, it is also syncophantic, so responds to the cognitive biases of the questioner, thereby confirming it.
So while the intenet does make researching easier than it's ever been, one still has to know how to conduct research. Where to find credible sources, how to identify key words that will produce the desired results. When it's so much easier to just ask AI, the likelihood of obtaining misleading results is not insignificant.
The internet gave us access to more information than any generation in history.
The challenge today isn't finding information... it's sorting good information from bad information.
I also agree that AI is a tool, not a substitute for thinking.
Used properly, it can help people find sources, identify questions, and explore different viewpoints.
Used poorly, it can become nothing more than a very sophisticated confirmation machine.
That's why I keep coming back to the same principle... trust, but verify.
Whether the claim comes from a politician, a media outlet, a social media post, or an AI chatbot, the responsibility for critical thinking still belongs to us.
Àll coming from the right btw, so it’s not about left or right — it’s about the fuckn right. When ppl lead with this false equivalency, oh, so delights the right. They lie, they spread misinformation, bots, n bs. If ppl are gonna keep saying this — show it from the left.
Because we see so much of this type of false equivalency about the extremes — be great to know exactly how much the Left has put out of misinformation n remember the right îs putting out extrême left lies too, so ppl think they are both the same.
The "wisdom of the wise" comes from you Fred, thank you! Quoting my grandparents, Mom's parents: "speak the truth & speak it ever, cost you what it will, he who hides the wrong he's done, does the wrong thing still"...like PP, DS, & DT. I cannot stand liars, I prefer the truth, no matter what it is. Anyone who wants the truth, talk to me, I will always tell the truth :)
First thing that came to mind was the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge- so many misleading/ erroneous news stories on many leading news outlets. They didn’t do their due diligence and report the facts. Had so many people say Carney sold us out ☹️ so of the people I know who watch only CTV and facebook they will never reach the truth, if they had critical thinking skills seems they’ve given up the effort to search for the facts. Those who have curious minds and hunger for facts and truth are invaluable..perhaps this is how truth will come out / sharing articles like this (well I already forward text all you write😂)
Another terrific article, Fred. The "elephants in the room" are of course DJT, PP, and DS, all serial liars, but of course DJT is the undisputed "king".
A recent post from Paul Krugman here on Substack brilliantly describes the Thursday night so-called "address to the nation". DJT lies so much that even "a", "and", "the" are all lies!! It's so unfortunate that there are Canadian politicians who are emulating this disgusting behavior from the POTUS.
Yes Fred - advocating for some critical thinking, and showing people how to do that! Excellent piece! Thank you!
There's misinformation (deliberately misleading), disinformation (outright lies), and empty slogans. There's also witholding vital information, or deliberately misconstruing it. This is certainly what right-wing politics has become, and extreme elements on the left are drifting into this realm as well. As long as there is a lack of critical thinking in the general populace, this will continue. AI is already, and will continue to make this even worse. Aside from the fact that use of AI discourages critical thinking, it is also syncophantic, so responds to the cognitive biases of the questioner, thereby confirming it.
So while the intenet does make researching easier than it's ever been, one still has to know how to conduct research. Where to find credible sources, how to identify key words that will produce the desired results. When it's so much easier to just ask AI, the likelihood of obtaining misleading results is not insignificant.
Excellent comment
Show me the left extreme pls— not buying it. It all comes from the right.
I understand your point, Gayma.
The article isn't arguing that both sides are equally responsible.
It's arguing that no side should be exempt from scrutiny.
If a claim is false, misleading, or missing important context, I think it should be challenged regardless of who made it.
The moment we stop checking facts because the speaker is on "our side," we're no longer defending the truth... we're defending a team.
That's the point I was trying to make.
Good points, Brad.
The internet gave us access to more information than any generation in history.
The challenge today isn't finding information... it's sorting good information from bad information.
I also agree that AI is a tool, not a substitute for thinking.
Used properly, it can help people find sources, identify questions, and explore different viewpoints.
Used poorly, it can become nothing more than a very sophisticated confirmation machine.
That's why I keep coming back to the same principle... trust, but verify.
Whether the claim comes from a politician, a media outlet, a social media post, or an AI chatbot, the responsibility for critical thinking still belongs to us.
Àll coming from the right btw, so it’s not about left or right — it’s about the fuckn right. When ppl lead with this false equivalency, oh, so delights the right. They lie, they spread misinformation, bots, n bs. If ppl are gonna keep saying this — show it from the left.
Duplicate: I understand your point, Gayma.
The article isn't arguing that both sides are equally responsible.
It's arguing that no side should be exempt from scrutiny.
If a claim is false, misleading, or missing important context, I think it should be challenged regardless of who made it.
The moment we stop checking facts because the speaker is on "our side," we're no longer defending the truth... we're defending a team.
That's the point I was trying to make.
Because we see so much of this type of false equivalency about the extremes — be great to know exactly how much the Left has put out of misinformation n remember the right îs putting out extrême left lies too, so ppl think they are both the same.
Yes, but it seems like there should be a qualifier, as it is always put out there like they are the same. Centrist plot?
The "wisdom of the wise" comes from you Fred, thank you! Quoting my grandparents, Mom's parents: "speak the truth & speak it ever, cost you what it will, he who hides the wrong he's done, does the wrong thing still"...like PP, DS, & DT. I cannot stand liars, I prefer the truth, no matter what it is. Anyone who wants the truth, talk to me, I will always tell the truth :)
Thank you, Patsy.
Your grandparents packed a lot of wisdom into a few words.
The truth isn't always comfortable, and sometimes it costs us, but it's still the only solid foundation for making good decisions.
I've never expected politicians to be perfect.
I do expect them to respect voters enough to tell the truth... or at least stay reasonably close to it.
And you're right... once people become comfortable with dishonesty, trust is usually the first casualty.
First thing that came to mind was the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge- so many misleading/ erroneous news stories on many leading news outlets. They didn’t do their due diligence and report the facts. Had so many people say Carney sold us out ☹️ so of the people I know who watch only CTV and facebook they will never reach the truth, if they had critical thinking skills seems they’ve given up the effort to search for the facts. Those who have curious minds and hunger for facts and truth are invaluable..perhaps this is how truth will come out / sharing articles like this (well I already forward text all you write😂)
Thank you, Shelley.
The Gordie Howe Bridge story is actually a good example of why it's important to slow down and look beyond the headlines.
Early reports often focus on the most dramatic interpretation, and once a narrative takes hold, it can be surprisingly difficult to correct...
even when more complete information becomes available.
I think curiosity is one of the most underrated qualities today.
People don't have to agree on every issue, but being willing to ask, "Is that really true?" is a good place to start.
And thank you for sharing my articles.
Word of mouth from thoughtful readers has always been more valuable than any algorithm.
Another terrific article, Fred. The "elephants in the room" are of course DJT, PP, and DS, all serial liars, but of course DJT is the undisputed "king".
A recent post from Paul Krugman here on Substack brilliantly describes the Thursday night so-called "address to the nation". DJT lies so much that even "a", "and", "the" are all lies!! It's so unfortunate that there are Canadian politicians who are emulating this disgusting behavior from the POTUS.