Flip side

We are firmly entrenched in the era of pseudo expertise and people with just enough knowledge of a subject to be found credible by those who know nothing are spreading their own gospels. That this is dangerous goes without saying and it extends to every imaginable subject.

We decided that the internet was going to be the new frontier of communication but like all good ideas on paper, there is always a flip side. Much like Facebook was going to be a vehicle for keeping in touch with friends before it became corrupted with people's desire to soothe their own insecurities.

I am not sure we can do much now other than have government agencies introduce mandatory labeling much like they do on cigarettes. Maybe, for example, they could start by putting a stamp of "right wing entertainment" on FOX News. At least the lowest information consumer would get some idea of what they are investing.

Critical thinking is in short supply and many people can't be bothered or don't have the skill set to dissect through the BS they are being fed. But for the sake of our future welfare we had better find a way.