Why This Matters Statistics are a vital part of effectively evaluating information and yet, as the saying goes, “There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.” Misusing statistics is a key tool for manipulating opinion, and numbers are often used to mislead others in order to meet a particular agenda. Torture numbers,
Category Hub - Discernment: Evaluating Information & Testimony
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Evaluating the Mainstream Media and Independent News Sources: Investigative Journalism vs. The Illusion of Choice & Propaganda
Introduction Let’s attempt to get an elevated perspective on the oft-maligned “mainstream media” (MSM). Is the MSM an evil manipulation as some propose? Or is it, as others say, a safeguard of democracy? One tactic for slicing through emotion and hyperbole is to get very specific and literal. This can, of course, help with clarity
The Enemies of Truth: Introduction & Overview
Introduction Here you’ll find an overview of the wide range of strategies and techniques that suppress and negate truth-telling and truth-seeking. Select links to go deeper. Why It Matters On most pages of this site, you’ll find a section entitled “Why It Matters.” If you’re a truth-teller, this section is primarily to remind you to
Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs)
A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) creates a legal obligation to keep secrets. While NDAs may be used for protecting intellectual property, for example, they are also used to prohibit a person from “going public” with allegations of abuse which “raises an obvious and troubling question: what about warning other potential victims of abuse?”
The Art of War and The War on Truth
Why This Matters Modern society is inundated with strategists who use the ultra-famous Art of War as a guide for interacting with those around them. Executives, lawyers, business school professors, corporate sales and marketing departments, sports coaches and dating guides are all known to use this ultra-famous text. To better develop your skills of discernment,
Sociopaths & Psychopaths
Why it Matters You might reasonably ask, “Why is the topic of sociopaths relevant to me?” Perhaps it seems as if sociopaths are a tiny group of folks, a few abnormal, scary people who are locked away somewhere. In actuality, research suggests that sociopaths make up between 1 and 4% of the U.S. population with
Beliefs – Part 1: Become Conscious of Your Belief Systems & Their Incredible Power
Why this Matters Strongly held beliefs are in actuality one’s judge, jury and jailer, enforcing a sentence with no hope of parole; on the other hand, acquiring a new set of empowering beliefs and holding them loosely could be the grand liberator. – Paul Marko Ph.D. Understanding how beliefs are formed (particularly the role of
Truth – Facts – Proof – Partial & Competing Truths – Knowledge – Meaning & Story – Authorities on Truth
Why it Matters To look at a subject as big as “truth” would seem to be a philosophical exercise without practical value, right? That’s a reasonable assumption but, actually, this is an extremely practical topic. Digging into it, truth shows itself as more complex than we would hope, but why take the time to dig
Evaluating Individual Testimony and Entertaining Possibility
Introduction Topics such as government crimes and corporate power abuse are purposefully shrouded in secrecy by perpetrators (through such strategies as NDAs, compartmentalization and extortion, among other strategies). Therefore, information about such subjects is primarily in the form of individual testimony: everyday people reporting their experience and observations. In addition to secrecy, the very nature
Who Can You Trust? Developing Discernment: Introduction & Overview
Introduction How can we be wise about choosing who and what to trust? In other words, how can we be sure we’re being appropriately discerning? This is a big topic that can be looked at from a number of angles. The first few perspectives below are recaps of teachings from other places on this site.
