Fake news or real news? How to cultivate the power of discernment
We are inundated with news 24/7.
Whether we’re getting our news from social media, the TV, podcasts, radio or print media, it’s getting increasingly difficult to determine the validity and accuracy of what you’re reading.
Pictures and video are easily edited to support a news story. Words are manipulated to shape our views and beliefs. People with impeccable credentials are being censored and outright cancelled for expressing “unacceptable views”. Words are increasingly being used to divide society with no end in sight.
A handful of global news conglomerates control the news we consume each day; this is nothing new and has been going on for decades. Most of us never really gave it much thought. During the pandemic, however, the global manipulation of news was taken to a whole new level. Careful scrutiny of photos of hospitals overrun with sick patients would reveal, to the observant and discerning eye, that the same photos were being used by seemingly different news outlets in different countries – yes, the exact same photos. More recently, it was observed that footage from a Ukrainian village that was attacked by Russian forces was actually the same scenes from the war in Iraq. I’m not making any judgments on any side of either narrative here, but just sharing some simple observations.
Of course, not all stories have been doctored to fit a particular narrative. But many of them are intentionally crafted to get people to adopt a certain belief or a new “dominant” perspective on a particular issue. The “truth” on anything is out there; it’s just harder to find because it’s become subjective to whoever is presenting the information, filtered from their lens and intended purpose. One must investigate any story to see it objectively, not subjectively – this is at the heart of critical thinking.
How do you determine the “truth” knowing that you’re likely being played by the multitude of media platforms out there showing a particular narrative and vying for control of your mind? Let’s also not forget the big dollars behind mind control: we are the product. We serve as valuable data points to the social media tech giants and media conglomerates every time we consume information – fake or real, and how we consume and share that information further perpetuates any narrative.
This is where discernment comes in. It allows us to simply observe any narrative being sold to us, use our ability to distill the counter-narrative in a holistic manner, and then reach the appropriate conclusion through the logical, critical and open presentation of facts and reason.
The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the ability to discern as:
1. To detect with eyes, i.e. he discerned a figure approaching through the fog; or to detect with senses other than vision, i.e. he discerned a strange odour
2. To recognize or identify as separate and distinct; discriminate; discern right from wrong
3. To come to know or recognize mentally; unable to discern a person’s motives.
Here are some ways you can cultivate and sharpen the power of discernment:
1. Check the sources of anything that you’re reading, especially from mainstream media (such as credentials of the author, reputation and depth of research). Cross-check the story and its facts and links with alternative media sources. If a story has been “fact-checked”, question by whom? Question the motive behind the story you’re reading: who is profiting from it, what narrative is the story building, why is the story being shared the way it is and how is it attempting to influence your beliefs and opinions?
2. What is the counter-narrative to the story you’re reading? Question the motives behind it and the sources of information that substantiate the opposing point of view.
3. Adopt a sense of healthy skepticism when reading anything from the mainstream media. Question the information being shared: examine how it’s presented and pay attention to the reaction it’s trying to elicit from you. Mainstream media is exactly that: it’s news that big media is pitching to be the dominant story in society and you’re being channeled to think the way they want; you’re one of the sheep being herded in a particular direction. Presenting an opposing point of view would be a great example of exercising healthy skepticism; it separates the lions from the sheep and keeps critical thinking alive and well in society.
4. Share your findings with other people and be open to gathering a wide range of data and opinions. Engage in discussions with people on multiple sides of any narrative to get a fulsome and balanced understanding of any news story.
5. Spend time in silence away from gadgets, social media and the TV. Turning everything off for a little while each day helps create mental space for fresh critical thinking.
6. Meditate for a few minutes each day to create more mindful reactions to all of the information you consume. A daily meditation practice cultivates a “pause and reflect” mindset, that is, before you jump to share information with others you’re able to momentarily pause and observe whether a news story is really newsworthy of sharing or mere disinformation.
7. Reflect on God’s Word. Many faiths describe discernment as the process of taking careful distinctions in how we consider the truth as portrayed in scriptures. The ability to critically discern the truth and navigate through confusion has been associated with an ability to think biblically and spiritually, particularly in the battles between good vs. evil and right vs. wrong portrayed in every major religion.
8. Listen to your gut. After working your way through a holistic review of any news story, check in with your gut instinct. It never lies – this is the ultimate test to know if what you’re reading is fake or real news.
The power to think holistically and cultivate discernment is something that takes effort and awareness to develop. As we make a conscious effort to practice it, we are strengthening the prefrontal cortex of the brain – the home of critical thinking that regulates our thoughts, emotions, and ability to think and reason with logic. Of course, there are other things you can also do in tandem to strengthen the prefrontal cortex like ensuring you have a brain-healthy diet, enough sleep, making an effort to try new activities, spending time grounding in nature and much more.
Our ability to discern the truth and discard noise has never been more critical to have until now. Without it, we become vulnerable to mind control. Over time, if we are unable to investigate information and then discard distractions, lies and confusion at a societal level, we leave ourselves open to being easily duped and manipulated into believing things that are detrimental to our very existence and well-being as sovereign individuals.
Become aware of what information your mind is consuming throughout the day and notice your reactions: do you mull over it, are strong emotions evoked, does it zap your energy or uplift you? Do you jump to share every social media tweet or post with others? Are you unconsciously sharing fake news and perpetuating the flow of negative energy to others when sharing posts? Do you notice your cognitive biases? Start with baby steps, see what “news” you fall for without any self-judgment. This is how we take back control over our minds and our society, by becoming mindfully aware of the effect that fake news and real news have on our minds and then taking steps to see how we can strengthen our mental acuity.
Some of my favourite quotes I’d like to share:
"He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever." – Chinese proverb
“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it” – Aristotle
"Obscurity is dispelled by augmenting the light of discernment, not by attacking the darkness." ~ Socrates
"Some people think they have discernment when actually they are just suspicious. Suspicion comes out of the unrenewed mind; discernment comes out of the renewed spirit." ~ Joyce Meyer
"I have naturally formed the habit of restraining my thoughts. A thoughtless word hardly ever escaped my tongue or pen. Experience has taught me that silence is part of the spiritual discipline of a votary of truth. We find so many people impatient to talk. All this talking can hardly be said to be of any benefit to the world. It is so much waste of time. My shyness has been in reality my shield and buckler. It has allowed me to grow. It has helped me in my discernment of truth." ~ Mahatma Gandhi
Here’s a little clip from Armstrong Economics: Media Admits it’s their “Job” to Control what People Think. Ummm, say what?!
Stand in the truth. Your truth. Defend it critically with a discerning mind.
Have a beautiful week, bravehearts!