I pose the question because of the observations I have made of posts at a variety of social media sites or blogs. You should include mine in this question. I've provided a rebuttal to a few questionable posts and of course, this wasn't well received by all.
I do consider social media to be an advertisement laden "free for all."
Critical thinking skills = the use of logic, reasoning and facts.
Here are a few observations
One common mistake for the writer is to use imprecise language, although sometimes that is deliberate. A common error by the reader is to infer a specific meaning from imprecise language, or to take another's experience and assume mine will be the same. That is not necessarily so. Sometimes we use imprecise language when we don't know the facts. Others may read what I or others write and assume it is factual. It may not be.
There are times when imprecise language is used for a purpose, or to promote an agenda.
There is a fair amount of hyperbole on social media sites, with all sorts of opining. From time to time there is intellectual dishonesty. I cannot state what motivates others. However, from time to time I do read an opinion supported by imprecise language or incomplete data. Usually that data has been selected to support a specific opinion or outcome to the exclusion of all other opinions or outcomes. That's an example of intellectual dishonesty. For example, one approach is to state that my experience is "typical." That is grossly misleading. Another approach is to say that "Many people have had the problem I have experienced." For example, if I experience a problem it is appropriate to say "I had a problem and others have experienced this" (if it has been previously reported) and then describe it. It is misleading to state that "my problem" has been experienced by "many" or even a "few". Why? Because we usually don't have any precise statistics to support these opinions and experiences, and terms such as "many" or "few" are very imprecise and subject to interpretation.
In other words, "my experience" might be useful and it might not, depending upon how it is framed. It might be indicative of the whole or it might not. The description might be filled with my opinions and a dash of facts to make it look authentic, or to justify my opinions. It is useful to be aware that things do break, that maintenance workers make mistakes and so on. But how useful?
But Facebook asks "What's on your mind?" and that's what we get. Sometimes just blabber, sometimes a mind dump, and sometime just rants.
This unfortunately sets the stage for unrealistic expectations. After all, if we begin to think that opinions are facts, we then are in a place where fiction is construed to be reality. More on that in a later post.
For example, if I state that my Roadtrek experiences are "typical" the reader will be led to believe that my experiences "have the distinctive qualities or characteristics of a particular type of person or thing". In other words, you, dear reader, will have the same experiences I have if you have a Roadtrek. That is of course, not a certainty.
If I were to say "Many people have problems with their Onan generator" that means that "a large number of" people have had problems with their Onan generator. Or, it might be construed that "the majority of people" have had problems with their Onan generator. Both conclusions cannot be determined from the use of the word "Many". In other words, conclusions based on the word "many" are probably false.
On Facebook in particular, it seems that some of the readers think that what is written is indicative of everyone. Or it is accurate. That's not necessarily so. It might be very imprecise. It might be hyperbole, or hubris or simply baloney.
Opinions
"Opinions" are defined as "a view or judgment formed about something, not necessarily based on fact or knowledge." If opinions are not based on fact or knowledge, then what are they? It seems some do really believe that "opinions" are facts and are presented as such. But they aren't.
FB isn't alone in this, and merely provides an advertisement laden opportunity for us to present our version of reality. A variety of blogs also provide rose covered views of everything from winter trekking to using composting toilets in Class Bs. There are FB groups ranging from "Living the RV dream" to "RV Hell". They are two different sides of the same coin.
It is important to remember that opinions expressed are those of the writer and that includes this blog. Whatever is expressed may never be "typical", or even useful (that's an altogether higher standard). If one person's experiences were always "typical" then I guess I could expect to win the lottery because my neighbor did? Or should I expect to die in a car crash because an acquaintance did?
Some of us may absolutely love our RV and will ceaselessly write glowingly and enthusiastically about it. It is also possible that we are frustrated or unhappy and we may have an axe to grind. That disenchantment will color whatever is written. Some are clever about this, and so they may provide some knowledge or useful information but use it as an opportunity to also present their agenda. Yes, Virginia, people do have personal agendas. Some are harmless, and some are not.
How can we tell who is who? We can't unless the author is very careful in his/her languaging and writes with integrity. In the absence of precise language, a reasonable alternative is to provide some information to the reader about our condition in life, our expectations and a broad view of our experiences. These things do color what we write. I've made it a point to create this blog, which not only forms a journal of sorts, but is also a body of work with data where appropriate. The reader can decide if I am full of hogwash or not. I do not set landmines for the unsuspecting.
The reader has the responsibility to use critical thinking skills if seeking solutions. After all, everything we read on Facebook isn't intended to simply be entertainment, or complaint session. Or is it?
Example of looking for a select answer
When we post questions on social media, we are obviously looking for guidance. Some of the questions are predisposed to a specific answer, and some responders may be inclined to provide what is sought. For example, recently there were some FB posts on RV sites about winterizing. Some might ask "Is winterizing really necessary?" That very question may be the result of a personal position called "I don't want to winterize" and responding can set up some serious consequences. According to Roadtrek "winterizing" is an absolute necessity under specific weather conditions. To imply to anyone that it is otherwise is leading them down a primrose path. It may provide them with the answer they want to hear, but that path is an unreasonable one. Ergo the title of this post.
So what's real?
First, if you read it on an opinion forum, it possibly isn't real as in completely accurate or authentic. This is why "news" might not be news. Some of what we read is opinion, perspective and so on. I can't say how much is or isn't. Some is untruthful or misleading. Today in "news" the first thing to realize is that this is a really big planet with 7 billion inhabitants. Whatever is considered to be newsworthy has to be seriously edited; there simply isn't sufficient time or space for all "news" on a planet inhabited by about 7 billion human beings.
The first thing to do when reading FB or any other social stuff is to use one's critical thinking skills.
When one posts, one must decide what to post and what not to post. That is a form of self-censorship or self-selection. People have a reason for posting what they post. As a reader, ask yourself "what is their purpose in posting this?"
Then look for words indicative of opinions or attempts to manipulate the reader. Here are a few examples:
- I think......
- I believe......
- I feel.....
- In my opinion......
- The best......
- I strongly believe.....
- From my point of view......
opinion_words_and_phrases.pdf
Imprecise Words
Another approach for inserting opinions is to use imprecise words. Such imprecise words include:
- Can
- Few
- Fair
- Frequently
- Many
- Most
- Occasionally
- Often
- Regularly
- Several
- Temporary
It is important to use "strong" words to express ideas and to accurately indicate to the reader those things on which they should focus. Selecting a precise word greatly improves the clarity of a sentence. That is important in writing.
