“What’s actually true?” This question is as old as Jacob fooling his vision-challenged father Isaac and as current as AI’s uncanny ability to invent and shape words, images and sounds. The matter of verifying truth has become a necessary skill, perhaps especially for those of us who are targeted with misinformation, manipulation or malpractice. Today a few reminders about developing a truth authentication aptitude….
Trust and verify.
Although it may feel unseemly to be wary about almost everything you encounter, that mindset may also be a foundation for any verification skills you hope to develop. A good place to start this process: What long-lasting and useful truths do you already know from Jesus’ teachings/example and the rest of Scripture?
Slow down.
Falsehood thrives when your attention is fragmented, rushed or unfocused. Take your time to confirm what purports to be truth—especially what’s literally “too good to be true.” Because your attention toggles back-and-forth rapidly between tasks—paying scant attention to each one—don’t trust your imagined multi-tasking capabilities.
Doublecheck.
Read and listen for accuracy of syntax, vocabulary, tone, logic, physical appearance or someone’s personality. Watch for places where the language seems too-persuasive, too emotional or too insistent on an immediate decision. Be skeptical of downloadable links, e-addresses or phone numbers. Contact local scam-scouts, organizations or governmental agencies devoted to fact-checking. Look and listen for AI images and voices that seem even slightly off-kilter. Compare information with other, reliable sources.
Use authentication methods.
If you’ve encountered something or someone who claims “the truth” or that they know you, ask some perhaps-useful questions like these: “How do you know that (to be true)?” “Can you tell me about something (event, person, shared experience) that only the two of us knows?” “Can you say that in another way?” “What if….?”
Talk with others.
To counter deceptions, gather around you the life experiences and wisdom of trusted others. Informal conversations are a good place to start sorting out fact from fiction, honesty from deception and trust from wariness.
A sad truth of our times: Like it or not, it’s our responsibility to find and hold truth dear.
Sigh….
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