Essence of Knowledge
Do not follow what you have no ˹sure˺ knowledge of. Indeed, all will be called to account for ˹their˺ hearing, sight, and intellect.
Surah Al-Isra 17:36
In this age of information, we are bombarded daily with videos, photos, texts and headlines. A shocking amount of this information is inaccurate. With the rise of AI-generated content, more of this fake and inaccurate news will circulate and have very serious repercussions on society and the world.
I can be a reason for false news to spread if I don’t pause and authenticate it. I can take a few moments to research the topic, find a credible source, or even reach out to someone who is more familiar with the subject matter at hand. This verse urges us to verify before following or sharing information.
This can help stop a rumor, eliminate chaos and fear, or negate misinformation with actual evidence or confirm the correctness of what is being shared. The tools at our fingertips are very powerful, they can uncover lies and shed truth, changing realities and the lives of others.
Your senses gain information every minute of the day. They are gates to the heart; every piece of information we consume becomes part of us. Being mindful of what enters our sacred space shapes not just our knowledge, but our entire reality.
“Don’t believe everything you read on the internet just because there’s a picture with a quote next to it.”
Abraham Lincoln
How many messages, ads and news stories do you come across everyday? How much information are you bombarded with? Become aware of what you filter out and how much you believe without question.
Take note, what your social media is “suggesting” for you to watch and follow. Spend a few minutes intentionally taking charge of the algorithm, instead of just scrolling away.
Pause before forwarding that article or voice note that has been forwarded many times before it reached you. Try and authenticate it, rather than ignoring it or passing it on without being sure of its validity. A simple moment of focus could prevent misinformation from spreading further.
“As the old saying goes, a man with one watch always knows what time it is; a man with two watches is never sure. We are now less sure of what we know and don’t know. More so than at any other time in history, it is crucial that each of us takes responsibility for verifying the information we encounter, testing it and evaluating it. This is the skill we must teach the next generation of citizens of the world, the capability to think clearly, completely, critically, and creatively.”
The Organized Mind – Daniel Levitin
“Sometimes people get nervous about this. They think their colleagues and friends will be offended if they start checking their knowledge, and will not appreciate being proved wrong. My experience is the opposite. People like it a lot. Most people find it inspiring to realize what the world looks like. Most people are eager to start learning. Testing their knowledge, if it is done in a humble way, can release an avalanche of curiosity and new insights.”
Factfulness – Hans Rosling
