What are YOU Looking At?

What Are You Looking At?                                                             

I was recently at my alma mater, Purdue, presenting an ethics topic to 350 Freshman Management students.  My thought piece is captured in a different blog, What is Your SuperPower.

In this Blog, I'm talking about Information:  the onslaught of information we receive every day, every hour, every minute!  Information forms our impressions and ultimately our opinions.  It's scary to think the thoughts I've labeled as FACTS in my brain were put there by Facebook posts and today's headlines!  YIKES!

The other presenter at Purdue was Professor Heather Howard, Business Information Specialist.  Professor Howard conducted a lively and thought-provoking discussion about Calling Bullshit.  I was fascinated to know that Calling Bullshit is an academic area of study.  Check out University of Washington's online course.  Syllabus and everything.  Yep, that's right!  

I was intrigued and admittedly somewhat scared by her presentation.  We trust the filters that bring information to us, but should we?  Do I fully trust the intent of politicians' propaganda?  Of the person who knocks on my door to donate money to save the North Pole penguins?  Of reporters 'breaking news' stories?   Of online advertisement for guaranteed 20% off my phone bill?

Of course I don't.  And yet, what information do I actually CHECK before I lock it away in my brain?  Or even worse, before I pass that information tidbit along to someone else as FACT!

I asked Professor Howard, 'is there a way to evaluate the incoming information?'  Indeed, there is!   We now move from Calling Bullshit, to the CRAAP Test.  The CRAAP Test was built by a team of library scientists from California State University, Chico.   

The CRAAP test is used as a legitimate way to evaluate websites, blogs, academic research, basically any information.  CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose.  By putting information through this ringer, we can assess its legitimacy, AND more importantly, we can act with an informed and firm base …. Sharing Wisdom!

For more information I went to the source of All Truth and searched the internet for CRAAP test (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRAAP_test).  It's nice to know that the information on THIS Wikipedia page was reviewed by Information Experts and passed the CRAAP Test! 

I'm making a commitment to take much better care of the inputs to my brain.  And even more important, I'm going to take much greater care about the information I pass along.  Make this commitment with me … or we will continue to sink into a world of Re-constituted Crap.

My plea to you: 

• Stop Chasing Soundbytes!
• Apply the CRAAP Test before logging unreliable information in your brain!
• More importantly, apply the CRAAP Test before passing along information

• What Are You Looking At?                                                              October 22, 2018

  I was recently at my alma mater, Purdue, presenting an ethics topic to 350 Freshman Management students.  My thought piece is captured in a different blog, Discovering Your SuperPower.

  In this Blog, I'm talking about Information:  the onslaught of information we receive every day, every hour, every minute!  Information forms our impressions and ultimately our opinions.  It's scary to think the thoughts I've labeled as FACTS in my brain were put there by Facebook posts and today's headlines!  YIKES!

  The other presenter at Purdue was Professor Heather Howard, Business Information Specialist.  Professor Howard conducted a lively and thought-provoking discussion about Calling Bullshit.  I was fascinated to know that Calling Bullshit is an academic area of study.  Check out University of Washington's online course.  Syllabus and everything.  Yep, that's right!  

  I was intrigued and admittedly somewhat scared by her presentation.  We trust the filters that bring information to us, but should we?  Do I fully trust the intent of politicians' propaganda?  Of the person who knocks on my door to donate money to save the North Pole penguins?  Of reporters 'breaking news' stories?   Of online advertisement for guaranteed 20% off my phone bill?

  Of course I don't.  And yet, what information do I actually CHECK before I lock it away in my brain?  Or even worse, before I pass that information tidbit along to someone else as FACT!

  I asked Professor Howard, 'is there a way to evaluate the incoming information?'  Indeed, there is!   We now move from Calling Bullshit, to the CRAAP Test.  The CRAAP Test was built by a team of library scientists from California State University, Chico.   

  The CRAAP test is used as a legitimate way to evaluate websites, blogs, academic research, basically any information.  CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy and Purpose.  By putting information through this ringer, we can assess its legitimacy, AND more importantly, we can act with an informed and firm base …. Sharing Wisdom!

  For more information I went to the source of All Truth and searched the internet for CRAAP test (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRAAP_test).  It's nice to know that the information on THIS Wikipedia page was reviewed by Information Experts and passed the CRAAP Test! 

  I'm making a commitment to take much better care of the inputs to my brain.  And even more important, I'm going to take much greater care about the information I pass along.  Make this commitment with me … or we will continue to sink into a world of Re-constituted Crap.

  My plea to you: 

  • Stop Chasing Soundbytes!
  • Apply the CRAAP Test before logging unreliable information in your brain!
  • More importantly, apply the CRAAP Test before passing along information!

Do Your Part to Enrich the Human Experience: Share Your Wisdom!

Learn Deeply!