Remember the old days when you played the game “telephone?”
Early elementary educators used this exercise to teach young children the importance of active listening; the dangers of gossip, and the importance of clear communications.
This child’s game illustrated how a story can change direction with each additional step removed from the source, making the information less reliable.
These days, social media provides ample opportunity for John Q. Public to offer their take on everything from soup to nuts.
And believe me, not everything you read in social media is the truth. One need only scroll up and down their computer screen to find unsubstantiated news — “Hutchinson traded to the Packers” and opposing stories that the Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, either declined the customary White House visit after their national title or did not receive an invitation altogether.
Only those with the a keen eye can shift through the misinformation which others would take as the God’s honest truth.
Though it might seem strange, the most knowledgeable person can be duped into sharing information which simply is not true.
Rotary International’s four-way test puts veracity at the top of the list:
• Is it truth?
• Is it fair to all concerned?
• Will it build goodwill and better friendships?
• Will it be beneficial to all concerned?
George Bernard Shaw said “Beware of false knowledge, it is more dangerous than ignorance.”
Time and truth will bear out. They go hand in hand.
