4.2 Be Skeptical, Not Cynical

Line drawing of a mind filled with scribble

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

When it comes to information you encounter in your personal, professional, or academic research, a skeptical approach can be productive. For example, information skeptics might take a moment to fact-check, verify, or investigate a source before using or sharing it.

However, when skepticism turns to cynicism and deep distrust, research can become unproductive. Information cynics may feel powerless to identify reliable and useful sources. That is, while learning to question everything, they have begun to believe nothing—even highly-credible sources of information.

"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

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!

Adapted from "Introduction to College Research Links to an external site." by Walter Butler, Aloha Sargent, and Kelsey Smith, licensed under CC BY 4.0 Links to an external site.

"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..” Lexico, Oxford.

Image: “ Line Mind Links to an external site. ” by  ElisaRiva Links to an external site.  on Pixabay

“Skeptical Links to an external site..” Lexico, Oxford.

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