The Only True Wisdom, Is Knowing You Know Nothing.

Form Socrates (a bit hyperbolic). Charles Darwin echoed a similar sentiment when he wrote, “Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge.”

In the age of the internet, it seems anyone can present as an expert; this is an unfortunate reality since most of us could become that expert if we wanted to do the work.

We have access to a ton of information. Unfortunately, we no longer engage in deep learning. Instead, we try to learn a little bit about a topic and assume the position of expert. Creating large platforms peddling misinformation.

Feeling confident about what you know even when you know very little about the topic at hand. Then, add to the ignorance, the reality that people do not want critique. We now have a cesspool of misinformation, spreading like wildfire, consuming the unknowing public viewing your confidence as an indicator that you are an authority in an area.

Small but important advice to those who occupy spaces as leaders or givers of information to a group:

1. Keep on learning,
2. Know where you are weakest,
3. Know what your strengths are, and 
4. Allow a ton of room for “GOOD FAITH” Criticism.

My advice to those who consume content from others:

Make sure the creator is principled– not just in belief, but also in the process (Look at the way they approach topics).

Make sure they are accountable and are willing to accept meaningful critiques.

Learn to use and understand reasoning. For example:

Deductive reasoning uses available facts, information, or knowledge to deduce a valid conclusion. Whereas inductive reasoning involves generalizing specific facts, and observations.

Deductive reasoning uses a top-down approach, whereas inductive reasoning uses a bottom-up approach.

In deductive reasoning, the conclusions are certain, whereas, in Inductive reasoning, the conclusions are probabilistic.

Be careful with what you consume. Also be careful not to isolate yourself in echo chambers.