Intellectual Humility

Before you go on, an article in the May 8 & May 22, 2021 issue of Science News ran with a cover "Awash in Deception: How science can help us avoid being duped by misinformation." In the lead article titled: "The Battle Against Fake News," Alexandra Witze presents five suggestions on how to debunk bad information. They come from the News Literacy Project (see the above link).

How to Debunk:

1. Arm yourself with media literacy skills, at sites such as the News Literacy Project (newslit.org), to better understand how to spot hoax videos and stories.

2. Don't stigmatize people for holding inaccurate beliefs. Show empathy and respect, or you're more likely to alienate your audience than successfully share accurate information.

3. Translate complicated but true ideas into simple messages that are easy to grasp. Videos, graphics and other visual aids can help.

4. When possible, once you provide a factual alternative to the misinformation, explain the underlying fallacies (such as cherry- picking information, a common tactic of climate change deniers.

5. Mobilize when you see misinformation being shared on social media as soon as possible. If you see something, say something.

"Misinformation is any information that is incorrect, whether due to error or fake news.

"Disinformation is deliberately intended to deceive."

"Propaganda is disinformation with a political agenda."

Sander van der Linden
Social Psychologist
University of Cambridge

Source: Science News/May 8, 2021 & May 22, 2021

Update: September 22, 2023: This is more important now than ever. Be vigilant and speak in your own way. Love Wins.

In the spirit of how to debunk misinformation and disinformation, I encourage you to examine The Financial Services Forum, The American Accountability Foundation, The Epoch Times, Fox News, and One America Network(OAN), among others, using the media literacy skills taught by the News Literacy Project from #1 above under "How to Debunk."  Click on the News Literacy Project link to start your work.

Braver Angels is working to bring Americans of different generations and beliefs together by engaging them in meaningful and sincere conversations together. I donate money to Braver Angels, but I am also currently engaged in a cross generational conversation in an effort to see the world through the lens of someone with different experiences from my own.

I chose to engage in a cross generational conversation because I wanted to work on myself and my ability to step back from my beliefs and listen to someone else. Listen without trying to correct or convince is a vital skill that is needed to put the “United” back in the United States of America.

One of the foundational ideas of Braver Angels is Intellectual Humility. It’s purpose is to remind each of us that as intelligent and gifted as each of us is, our personal perspective is another one of billions of intelligent and gifted opinions about the world and how it works. The idea is a simple one. Open yourself up to the thoughts and feelings of others while not abandoning or over emphasizing your own thoughts.

Conversations are based on the principle of what I will refer to as “Deep Listening.” One person shares while the other person listens. The use of “I” statements while avoiding “You” statements is a cornerstone part of the Braver Angels way of doing things.

Braver Angels may or may not be for you, but the courage of it’s founders and members to reach out in an effort to fix what is broken is not only admirable, but vital. There are other organizations doing similar work and I urge you to seek them out in an effort to open your head to different intellectual thinking. In the process, you will most likely also open your heart. That is what is happening to me in the early stages of my ongoing conversation with a young person from Central Georgia.

Just the simple act of reaching out and making yourself vulnerable is an attitude and life changing experience.