Here are some personal rules I have developed to keep grounded in these weird info distorted times. 1) Consider at least 5 times a day your “gut” feeling on most things might be wrong. And that you may be the one that has inadvertently been brainwashed.

2) Make a habit of watching the media that makes you feel uncomfortable. Try not to get angry but consider the merits in the arguments. If you maintain good quality reasons 2 suspect you’re still not getting the full picture press on with a critical mind to self confirming media.

3) try to speak to people from varied backgrounds not just your peer groups as frequently as possible, and ideally in real life and not just on messenger apps or zoom. Ask how people feel and what they think not just tell them what you think.

4) if you are having seemingly insurmountable friction with peers, friends or colleagues: consider if it’s you who has had a radical personality change or them? Who is behaving according to their long standing personality type?

5) remember that those who try to stay balanced in polarized times are generally disliked by everyone. It’s a tough job not succumbing to peer pressure on any side.

6) remember that the way the news media is currently configured almost any out there theory can be presented in a self confirming way with supporting facts and quotes if one tries hard enough. This is due to the sheer volume of facts and sound bites that can be cherry picked.

7) always keep your cool and never resort to ad hominem slurs, personal attacks or any other below the belt remarks or name calling. Remember if you do, you have surely lost the argument.

8) remember just because everyone is saying something is one way doesn’t necessarily mean it is so. Especially if you can see with your own eyes or via evidence that it is not the case. Otherwise we would not have market panics, bubbles, and other madness of crowds phenomena.

BUT! Always remember to stay grounded and deploy Occam’s razor, cui Bono and other self checking mechanisms to ensure you don’t fall down a rabbit hole that is not properly anchored in fact.

10) last and not least, if you see something on the internet that seems too good to be true (in terms of proving your gut feeling) remember it probably is. Always check sources and be careful of manipulated soundbites, fake news and even deep fakes.

Oh one last point: remember there is no shame in changing one’s view if clearer facts come into play or circumstances change. Calling out hypocrisy is essential, but it’s wise to be kind to those who adapt and adjust logically as more facts come into play.

And sometimes it’s better to be openly unsure about things than to present the impression you are sure of things when you are not really (consciously or unconsciously).

Oh and try not to inadvertently get embroiled in online bullying, at the same time as being suspicious of the arguments of people who resort to such means. Sometimes it’s not the substance of the argument/view that is telling, but the way it is being delivered.