Paranoid Cynic, Alert Consumer or Naive Wallflower--Which One Are You?

Alert, Well-Informed Consumer

This is, ideally, what you want to be, although there are many people out there who would place themselves under this category even though they are not. Many people, for example, never stray from the safe, relatively-calm realms of so-called mainstream media news outlets. They purposely stay away from alternative news sources which they arbitrarily describe as sensationalistic and probably not well-founded.

A truly well-informed consumer, though, is never afraid to delve into or read sources that may challenge traditional news dissemination agendas or strategies. Being well-informed, in fact, necessarily involves getting all sides of an issue, including those that may be less popular and even attacked as "untrustworthy."

Being "alert," furthermore, requires that all sources of information (including well-respected scientists, government officials/agencies, and celebrities) be looked at with a grain of salt. In other words, anyone out there no matter how highly placed, well-connected and well-educated is capable of lying; more importantly, they may simply be wrong. A truly alert consumer, therefore, is always somewhat cynical, skeptical and ready to challenge anyone or any source spewing anything that sounds incredible, not well justified, or in stark contrast to what other sources are saying.

An A.W.I.C., in other words, always checks on references given, is always looking for alternative views/explanations and never closes a door on viable potential possibilities. "How well does someone defend his/her position?"--that is what an A.W.I.C. automatically asks. Other useful questions they are always be ready to ask include: "Does this make sense?"; "Is there something to be gained by either side of an argument?"; "Who is ultimately behind a movement, action or event?"; etc.

The next type of individual is quite possibly at the most risk. P4 of 4... Keep reading...