Vetting information is like shopping for shoes. When confronting any source of information, just as when shopping, it’s advisable to know what your purpose is. When you turn on the news, for example, do you ask yourself what you hope to gain from that experience? What do you want to be informed about and why do you wish to keep “informed” at all? What will you do with that information? Are you at the mall to pass the time, to window shop, spend money and just hang out—or do you need a new pair of shoes because the old ones are falling apart? Could you manage barefoot?
Rational shoppers will make their way directly to the shoe outlet and not be distracted by bargains on neckties. And they don’t just stay at home with worn out shoes because they hate shopping. Sift what you can from a source of information, to find what serves your purpose, which you are clear about. Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water: don’t reject the source, or the whole, because of some detail you dislike. On the other hand, be critical and vigilant against illogic, inconsistency in arguments, and “facts” that may be false, suspicious, or misleading. At the same time, understand that an idea presented might have its own merits if approached differently or in a different context. Ignore sales pitches, and seek the shoe within your price range that meets your needs and is truly comfortable. Shop around.
Beware reification and generalization. “Shoe” is a big category. Don’t shop for work boots or dance shoes in a sporting goods store. Language shapes, and often misleads, thought. A shoe that you have to “break in” may break your foot. You shouldn’t have to struggle to get into it or out, or have to convince yourself it feels ok. If the shoe doesn’t fit, you don’t have to wear it! Supposedly objective facts are always someone’s claims, made for their own reasons. Does the salesperson get a commission?
Be alert to gimmicks. If you are in a high-end athletic footwear store looking for a plain canvas tennis shoe, the tacit assumption may be that you have lots of disposable income. Fifty models of running shoe each have their competing “unique feature” that will not make you run noticeably faster. Try to identify the intent behind the information that puts its best foot forward. A gimmicky feature is designed to increase sales, not necessarily to provide real benefit. If the sales pitch annoys, insults, or intimidates you, don’t take it personally—but don’t buy it.
Make your own connections. Don’t naively accept claims proposed, which are likely biased. Do your homework. Learn what you can about the history of footwear, how and where shoes are manufactured, what makes for quality and durability, the social and ecological policies of the manufacturer. Look for the big ideas behind the details and see how they relate to your present understanding. What are the long-term effects on your posture of different kinds and qualities of footwear?
On the other hand, keep an eye open for significant details that might call your present views into question, or might support a different idea. (Science deliberately looks for details that falsify its pet ideas.) If you have a favorite trusted brand, try to find fault with it. If a particular pair of shoes you are trying on seems perfect, are there nagging hesitations that might lead to future regrets? Be open to indecision. Uncertainty can be unnerving, but may be better than a hasty or wrong decision, an uncomfortable shoe, wasted money. Don’t be afraid to leave the store empty handed. There will always be more shoes—and news—to try on.