CRITICAL THINKING.

You see a post, a story, a headline. You feel alllll sorts of emotions bubbling up. How can we separate the feelings from the facts?

A few questions to ask yourself:

Are there any sources attached to this? Can I easily verify it myself?

Who is writing it, and what may their motive be? This can be a friend, an influencer, a media source, 3-letter agency - ask yourself - what would their motive be for saying this?

Does me feeling a certain way about this topic benefit them? Who does it benefit?

Who does this rumor or statement hurt?

Is this a rumor about a competing product, company, or person? Is that a business practice I want to align myself with? Do I want to grow my business by stepping on the backs of others? Does a legitimate business with integrity grow by spreading rumors about others?

Does this statement silence and shame other voices, opinions, and lived experiences - or does is allow for a wide range of thoughts?

What is gained by writing this statement?

Everything you read on the internet isn’t true, friends. Anyone can write anything. Emotional manipulation is a tactic used often, and it’s usually done in the most slick way, by the most unassuming people - and you don’t realize it until you start asking questions objectively.

Start thinking critically about what you read on the internet.