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To view this on the COS website, click here [[https://conventionofstates.com/news/misinformation-comply-less-think-more|misinformation-comply-less-think-more]]


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====== Misinformation: Comply Less, Think More ======


The best advice to avoid falling victim to misinformation is to comply less and think more. Question what you read, watch and hear.


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|The advent of the Digital Age (also known as the Information Age) has ushered in unlimited 24/7 news access. Political agendas being what they are, much of this news is misinformation also known as propaganda. Britannica describes [[https://www.britannica.com/topic/propaganda|propaganda]] as: dissemination of information—facts, arguments, rumors, half-truths, or lies—to influence public opinion. It is often conveyed through mass media.\\ \\ Misinformation is a means to manipulate public opinion when facts aren’t available or contradict the narrative being promoted. In this regard, misinformation can be considered as false advertising. The modern day problem is that while advertisements are instantly recognizable as a means to separate us from wallets, political propaganda is claimed as fact by high level government and news media sources.\\ \\ \\ \\ **How to Spot Misinformation**\\ \\ {{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/99377/99377_original.jpg?}}Even though misinformation campaigns can be subtle and sophisticated, there are numerous ways for the common citizen to sniff out manipulation. Here are some:\\ \\ * //“Experts say”// This phrase is a favorite for convincing the public of the narrative’s acceptance by sources in the know. The key takeaway here is that the “experts” are not named. Why not name the experts if narrative is supported?\\ \\ \\ * //“Studies indicate”// Similar to “Experts say” in its intent to manipulate the reader, viewer, listener into the belief that the narrative has been extensively investigated but without citing sources. Why the omission?\\ \\ * //Is discourse allowed?// A shutdown or shaming of narrative discussion is a major tell that manipulation is underway. Why be afraid of gathering information to reach a better understanding of an issue? The narrative has something to hide.\\ \\ \\ * //“Cui bono” – Who benefits?// News articles, broadcasts and other media should be approached with skepticism. The catchphrase “Follow the money” can be paraphrased to “Follow the motive”. Does the author or organization promoting a narrative have a financial or professional interest in the narrative? Knowing a bias up front can prevent being manipulated later.\\ \\ \\ * //Does the narrative shift?// Even sophisticated misinformation campaigns get pushback. When the narrative is proven to be flawed, its goals will often be “adjusted” to make it seem different. In practice the narrative’s authors are simply sacrificing 5% of their manipulation aims to retain 95%. If it was bad to begin with; does 95% bad make it acceptable?\\ \\ **Misinformation Latest Hits**\\ \\ Misinformation has existed throughout history but as noted earlier, the speed and{{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/99378/99378_original.jpg?}} volume of information in the Digital Age floods individuals with competing narratives. The following examples are some of the most controversial episodes:\\ \\ * //Climate change:// Why are past, current and future estimates of average atmospheric temperatures off limits for scientific and public discourse? Does actual data exist to substantiate the climate narrative?\\ \\ \\ * //Covid-19 policies:// Why was questioning of government and public health agency dictates aggressively suppressed to the point of blatant violation of First Amendment rights? Who were the “experts” that said “follow the science”? Why were their claims not allowed to be challenged?\\ \\ \\ * //Transgender ideology:// Are there more than two genders? Questioning the logic, or lack thereof, invited bans and/or social media shaming. Were parts of the medical and educational communities benefitting from transgender policies?\\ \\ \\ * //Who was president?// For four years the American public watched an elderly impaired man pretend to be in charge of the USA. His family, supporters and media allies alike claimed he was fine. When this became untenable the response was like a [[https://rhodetrips2110.wordpress.com/2024/08/01/decoding-groucho-marxs-quote-who-are-you-going-to-believe-me-or-your-own-eyes-from-duck-soup/|Marx Brothers quote]]: “Who are you going to believe, me or your own eyes?” Was there a vested interest in maintaining a mentally challenged individual in office?\\ \\ **Resist Misinformation With Open Dialogue**\\ \\ \\ {{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/99379/99379_original.jpg?}}We have all witnessed the false narratives pushed during the Digital Age. The best advice to avoid falling victim to misinformation is to comply less and think more. Question what you read, watch and hear. Be unafraid of dialogue over different viewpoints and paraphrasing Ronald Reagan remember to "Trust but ONLY when verified." Skepticism is a healthy trait for avoiding propaganda.\\ \\ **COS versus Misinformation**\\ \\ It may not be immediately obvious but the COS call to convene an Article V Convention of States is a major step to reducing misinformation in American governance. Returning power to the Several States requires dialogue between the states, between our legislators and between We the People. True and unimpeded dialogue is the enemy of manipulation.{{https://content.conventionofstates.com/cosaction-prod/public/content/images/99380/99380_original.jpg?}}\\ \\ As Abraham Lincoln noted: [[https://www.abrahamlincoln.net/quotes.jsp|“You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time.”]] The broader a discussion; the better the chance to reach the truth. \\ \\ COS is here to help educate and support citizens in their communication with local legislators. Learn more on the [[https://conventionofstates.com/florida|Florida COS page]]. \\ \\ #|PETITION_WIDGET{petition_tag:Misinformation: Comply Less, Think More;coalition_id:;anedot_url:}|#|


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|  __Page Metadata__  ||
|Login Required to view?  |No                  |
|Created:                 |2025-07-26 23:24 GMT|
|Updated:                 |2025-10-25 07:00 GMT|
|Published:               |2025-07-29 22:38 GMT|
|Converted:               |2025-11-11 12:06 GMT|
|Change Author:           |Stanley Gilewicz    |
|Credit Author:           |                    |