Be Skeptical, Not Cynical

Some Advice

As you work your way through this module, I would like to offer you some important advice: When it comes to evaluating sources online, be skeptical, rather than cynical.

What do I mean? Well, here are some definitions from the Oxford English Dictionary:

Skeptical: Not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations
Cynical: Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest; distrustful of human sincerity or integrity

The Dangers of Information Cynicism

"Without feeling empowered to sort fiction on the web, a lot of students are merely cynical and believe they can’t trust anything."

-Mike Caulfield, Washington State University Vancouver (qtd. in Young)

"While skepticism is healthy, cynicism - real cynicism - is toxic."

-"Astroturfing," Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

By questioning everything we see online (even from experts or reputable sources), does that make us believe nothing? Possibly. And many theorists are worried that this feeling of not knowing what to believe can draw us into extremist websites, because they promise clear answers (Young).

I would like to suggest that just because some sources are trying to manipulate you, that does not mean that all sources are trying to manipulate you. There are plenty of reliable and trusted sources that provide accurate, truthful information. Do not let the bad sources muddy the waters so much that you cannot see the good ones!

Citations & Attributions

"Astroturfing: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Links to an external site.." YouTube, uploaded by LastWeekTonight, 12 Aug. 2018.

"Cynical Links to an external site.." Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP.

"Skeptical Links to an external site.." Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP.

Young, Jeffrey R. "Can a New Approach to Information Literacy Reduce Digital Polarization? Links to an external site." EdSurge, 22 Mar. 2018.