How do you go about verifying something you hear about or read ? by AURaptor

REAL WORLD EVENT DISCUSSIONS

How do you go about verifying something you hear about or read ?

POSTED BY: AURAPTOR
UPDATED: Monday, April 20, 2009 21:46
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Saturday, April 18, 2009 2:56 AM

America loves a winner!

Whether it's something in the news, or a fantastic claim from some infomercial, where do you go, what steps to you take to see if something checks out as true or not ?

What sources do you check out ? Is there one or a few particular places you go, no matter what the story ?

Or do you simply take what is said on the news, accepting it at face value ? Hey, if it's on the news, it HAS to be correct, right ?

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Saturday, April 18, 2009 3:24 AM

KWICKO

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

Snopes or FactCheck can generally tell you if a news story or rumor is fact or fiction - but either of them can put their particular "spin" on it at the same time.

For products, I generally do a Google search with keywords like the product's name and "reviews", and read a few of those. If nothing else, finding a relevant forum and just reading up a few pages of posts will generally give you a decent overview of whether something is viewed as legit or not.

With most news stories, though, you end up having to read quite a bit from several different sources; all may agree on the basic framework of the facts of the story (what happened when and where), but they'll tend to be wildly divergent on the WHYs of the story, the motivations and implications.

A prime example of the latter is Obama's "bow"; depending on the source, he bowed, or he didn't; if he did, it clearly meant THIS, or was a show of respect for THAT, or what have you. Seems the "news" coverage of the incident is as varied as the people who saw that coverage is.

ETA: Note that these are very basic "first steps" in trying to run down the story. They are definitely not the only steps, but make a decent place to start.

Mike

Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day...
Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

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Saturday, April 18, 2009 3:40 AM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello,

I get most of my news from CNN, and unless something appears that gives me pause, I generally stop there. I often imagine my fellow forumites as news wunderkind who cross-reference dozens of news sites and compare versions and sources with every article released. I'm more of a normal dude who would rather spend his time playing Kingdom of Loathing or watching TV.

However, on issues important to me, or on stories that appear flawed, I will compare U.S. accounts with those of foreign news services and blogs who may have alternative (and sometimes less credible) sources at their disposal. It is rare that I bother with this, but it is a good way to receive different slants on a story.

--Anthony

"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner

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Saturday, April 18, 2009 3:46 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Back when CNN came out, I was completely addicted to it. News, from around the world, 24 hours a day ? Awesome ! But as I've grown, and become more aware of the ways information can be slanted and manipulated, I rarely watch any cable news. I've found that , there are times when a story comes out, we might get 'some' information accurate, but not the REST of the story. Reporters and editors like to craft the news, sadly. to make things sound more sensational or impacting. It's that last sentence which is often left off a story that sometimes can make all the difference in what's being reported, and if something really IS news worthy, or not.

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Saturday, April 18, 2009 3:54 AM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

"to make things sound more sensational or impacting."

Hello,

I've noticed this with increasing alarm throughout my life that the percentage of editorializing and slant in the news has been growing. At times, the news reads like a WWII newsreel.

However, it is easy to see the slant on most slanted pieces. As a gun owner and advocate, I've grown used to picking apart the facts from the opinions in news stories, and it has more recently served me well in other venues.

Unlike the press, I try not to be fashionable in my analysis of a news event. I try not to let my opinions drift with the winds of public contentedness on any particular issue. I am open to changing my mind, but only as the result of analysis and thought, not simply as whimsy or popularity dictate.

I'm not perfect, of course. I've been lied to before, and I've swallowed it before. But, as a popular sci-fi novel once declared, the Dreamer awakens.

--Anthony

"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner

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Saturday, April 18, 2009 4:13 AM

EVILDINOSAUR

it depends on what kind of information it is. Snopes is always a good source. I'll also check a different source, like if I heard it on the news, I'll see what a different news source is saying about it, if anything.

"Haha, mine is an evil laugh."

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Saturday, April 18, 2009 5:00 AM

THATWEIRDGIRL

For news, I always do a search for articles on the same topic. There never fails to be multiple takes on the thing. If it's easily tracked, I try to find the study, website, or interview the story is based.

Sometimes, I don't care because I'm in the mood to be outraged. Every so often I have to let my outrage button be pushed. So I don't research a story. I eventually do the research, but for those few minutes or hours, I'm blissfully upset.

For bills I just go check the list of legislation. Easy enough.

My favorite starting sites: CNN, BBC, CNET, Ars Technica, they get more specific as the news does. For product claims I read multiple reviews.

---
Sometimes I lie awake at night, and I ask, "Where have I gone wrong?" Then a voice says to me, "This is going to take more than one night."
-- Charlie Brown
www.thatcostumegirl.com
www.thatweirdgirl.com

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Saturday, April 18, 2009 5:14 AM

CITIZEN

I generally go through a few sources. I read the Independent or the Metro in the morning (depending on whether I have the time and money for the Independent, or just want to be cheap and get the free Metro). If there's anything that interests me I'll generally look at more sources, the BBC, Reuters, sometimes a local news source for something things if it's an international story.

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Saturday, April 18, 2009 9:27 AM

FREMDFIRMA

I actually have software that does this.

It does a boolean logic search of the subject at hand, and counts, then discards identical pieces since most "news" orgs just copy/paste each others press releases and do no investigation whatsoever.

Often enough, you'll find better info from the local sources, who will sometimes spare someone to go ask a few questions, and oddly, while crackpot as hell while bringing up a NEW topic, the "lunatic fringe" sites are downright good at muckraking existing ones.

Indymedia's journalism has an obvious direction to it, but their investigative work is damned good as a general rule.

I used to have a tap into AP wire before they started adding the spin before promogulating the story - once upon a time they'd pass out a bare facts infosheet to the local affiliates for them to spin as they liked, and those were right handy for cross-compare with the nod-n-wink fictions eventually built out of them.

There's also a lot to be said for personal contacts, mind - especially if they are physically or personally close to the initial source or know people who are.

The software doesn't just class and match, also - it actively sweeps for keywords in the same fashion certain "other" software does, and logs various bits by priority to my inbox, like several recent incidents of someone showing up with a gun intent on a robbery, home invasion or mass shooting, and ending up GETTING shot*, which of course don't get the same kind of coverage cause it doesn't agree with what the mainstream media are trying to sell...

Saves a lot of time and hassle, that bit of 'ware does.

*I kid you not, there's been a radical spike in home invasion reports, both of unarmed homeowners who cooperated getting shot, and of armed homeowners shooting perps, at least one of which was impersonating a police officer.

A very detailed piece on the jerk who tried to hold up an AA meeting here.
http://www.thestate.com/local/story/751469.html

And yes, if you do shoot a home invader, the cops will rough you up, trash your place searching it, and then almost certainly arrest YOU.

One incident stands out in Polk County, FL, where a convicted felon IN HIS OWN HOME, used a firearm in self defense, and now stands to fry in court for it, and a much disputed possession charge, as the "evidence" was apparently gathered from the porch and likely belonged to the bad guys.

I happen to be installing an Alarm kit myself later today, and it's right nice for the price.
http://www.amazon.com/Mace-80355-Wireless-Security-System/dp/B000WKW68
2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1240082531&sr=8-2
Modular, easy to install and cheap - you can buy and configure more sensors as needed, comes with remote, will dial your cellphone as well as sound alarm, and doesn't come with a mandatory "monitoring" contract to bulk up the expense.

What good is that "monitoring" gonna do that callin me won't, since the cops will NOT show up here, and they'd call me to verify first anyway, which I can ALREADY program this unit to do.

For under a hundred bucks, you can't beat it.

-Frem
(Of course, you *know* I ain't gonna leave it stock, and to add to the hilarity is a sign right across from the door with LOOK UP in big block letters, and just above the door is an inert claymore mine filled with sand, and a device that does nothing but tick loudly when the door is opened behind it - it's QUITE intimidating, I assure you, despite being completely harmless.)

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Sunday, April 19, 2009 11:27 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

I usually assume the opposite is true of what's reported by the Mainstream Media. If something is reported which sounds like they got it right, it seems reasonable, then I become suspicious.

For checking, the net has made things easier, and I'm assuming at this point that is where your true question and context lie. I look up the basic info which was given, try to track down the source material. After enough of that, I try to find opposing information, and see if it is credible. Search engines using the same basic words or ideas, but adding in "anti-" or "non-" or "opposing" or similar can reveal many useful sources of data. Never assume the one side of the story you're looking at is the truthful side.
Used to be I'd have to find a library with decent sources. For the Congressional Quarterly, the library I use is now about 4 1/2 hours away.

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Monday, April 20, 2009 12:27 AM

KPO

Sometimes you own the libs. Sometimes, the libs own you.

Factcheck.org is generally where i begin.

Also when a news outlet reports or interprets something wrongly I remember, and hold them in suspicion of whatever bias after that.

To offer a slightly different opinion, I think as well as providing people with facts more readily the internet has made it easier for people to find an alternative view of events from 'experts', that suits them better than the truth.

Nothing new in this process of course, people have always chosen media (eg. newspapers) that interpret things in a way that they're happy with. I suspect the internet may be polarising us more though.

Heads should roll

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Monday, April 20, 2009 12:51 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

In regards to an infomercial, I generally tend to think that the product is mostly hype. But when I get the feeling that it might be a useful tool or product I check out RipoffReport.com.

If it's a hoax or simply a ripoff it'll show up there. Otherwise I go by the old adage that "if it's too good to be true, it usually is."

Hope that helps.

SGG

Tawabawho?

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Monday, April 20, 2009 4:01 AM

SIMONWHO

First I check with FOX News but if that doesn't confirm my thoughts, I go to Free Republic. If they don't agree with me then I go to WorldNetDaily. If that doesn't match up with my beliefs then I consult Mr Bimbo. He lives in my finger.

He's very smart.

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Monday, April 20, 2009 9:46 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

Quote:
Originally posted by Shinygoodguy:
Otherwise I go by the old adage that "if it's too good to be true, it usually is."

Hope that helps.

SGG

Tawabawho?

In every single case, the very best deals I have ever made in my life were absolutely cases of "it's too good to be true." Understanding what is good for you and not so critical to others is the essense of a great deal, and also knowing when the seller does not know the value of something, or does not care. So I end up with fantastical deals that nobody else believes could have possibly been available. You snooze, you lose.
But when you choose to intentionlly avoid great deals, more power to ya, or actually to me.

A recent example is when my credit card company wanted to give me a 10% rebate for paying more than the minimum payment. I tried to find a loophole or catch, didn't find any. Did the program on 2 cards, got $500 on each card for about 4 months of heavy usage. Can't complain, but it sure sounded like "too good to be true" to me. Didn't cost me anything, didn't change anything with my credit, no negative effects, got free money. Actually, they did raise my credit limits about $3K after that, but that's OK.

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