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Here is some free “fake news” advice that I give to my Mythbusters archaeology students each year:
1. Does the person/entity telling you to do X stand to profit from it?
2. Does X harm anyone- if so whom, and to what extent?
3. How qualified is the person pushing X?
1/4
1. Does the person/entity telling you to do X stand to profit from it?
2. Does X harm anyone- if so whom, and to what extent?
3. How qualified is the person pushing X?
1/4
(Experience, degrees, biases, connections to industry?)
4. How was X rolled out- peer reviewed paper first or major scientific study? Or just media blitz?
5. What reporters/outlets are covering X?
6. How excited/ skeptical are other experts who study X?
2/4
4. How was X rolled out- peer reviewed paper first or major scientific study? Or just media blitz?
5. What reporters/outlets are covering X?
6. How excited/ skeptical are other experts who study X?
2/4
7. Does X sound too good to be true? Apply the grandmother test. If you think she’d roll her eyes be skeptical (it works trust me).
8. How does X make YOU feel? Assess your own intentions/ reactions/ biases and figure out what triggered it
3/4
8. How does X make YOU feel? Assess your own intentions/ reactions/ biases and figure out what triggered it
3/4
None of this is a guarantee that X is 100% real or true (or not) but it will get you there 99% of the time. Be more skeptical... you have most of the tools you need to be a better consumer of media. Good luck! fin
Aaand men are already mansplaining this to me free blocks y’all!
