Thinking critically in a world of ideas

Take a look in any given direction nowadays and you will inevitably find a slew of other peoples' opinions about what your opinion should be. "Buy this!" "Watch that!" "You need medicine X!" "You don't need problem Y!" The list goes on an on.

Now talk to some of your friends, family members, classmates or teachers about any topic and you are likely to hear the exact same messages in a different dialect. "It does that because..." "I heard that she..." "You know, studies have shown that...." Sound familiar?

We live in a day of information. There is an almost infinite variety of it available and 1,001 ways to access it (many of which are on our own cellphones.) Multiply that with how many people we know who are just as "connected" and it easily leads to one big mess.

Who are we to believe? Who's ideas are the ones which we should propagate?  Where is - and what is - the truth?

By very definition, truth is not relative. A so-called "relative truth" is merely a personal observation. Take for example the familiar picture of the old/young woman. While opinions of what is seen may vary, truth - or facts - still remain: there are certain dark markings arranged in specific ways in relation to each other. (Credit for this is due to Stephen R. Covey in his book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People.) But how we view those facts, or truths, is where the fun starts.

We are all unique individuals, and therefore will have differing views of what we see, hear, and so forth. It is only natural for us to pass on what we learn, even if we're not even that sure about it, thus information, or misinformation, spreads like wildfire.

So how do we decipher which is which? I propose the Socratic method - ask. Don't take everything you see or hear - even if it's from someone you trust - for granted. Delve deeper. Look harder. Search more intently.  Find the balance between nosy and curious, between questioning and doubtful, and that includes with your own self. You are another person, and therefore could be wrong, but could also be right. The adventure lies in finding that out. And don't worry if it turns out that you were mistaken on a certain subject. The discovery itself catapults you into a prime opportunity to not be anymore!