The problem with “Misinformation”

So, what classifies something as misinformation anyway? Certainly majority rule, popular opinion, or the opinions of one or two people high up in rank are not enough of a justification to determine and claim ABSOLUTE truth. At one point in time, the earth being round would have been considered misinformed too. Smoking used to be considered safe and harmless. And so, these days, with so many unknowns still at play, opinions flip flopping on the regular, and new information and data coming in seemingly by the second, can we truly and categorically claim that only one theory is THE absolute truth? Would it not be extremely arrogant to completely dismiss alternate views (and from credible sources) when information keeps evolving so rapidly?

Look, mistakes happen. Human error exists. No one is completely infallible. And certainly no one is the ultimate sage. And so, questioning, debating, and putting forth alternate theories and possibilities must be accepted and even encouraged if the world is to evolve and learn anything. Holding back information is holding back progress, plain and simple. Yet, we have social media platforms proclaiming themselves as the social police and ultimate knowers of truth, the mainstream media refusing to give any attention to opposing viewpoints or encouraging developments, and governments dictating rules and regulations without demonstrating any real science behind it all, relying solely on blind trust (and a climate of fear) in order to get away with it.

Moreover, we have one narrative that is considered the truth, even though that keeps changing too. And we have world-renowned experts who are questioning these “truths,” yet to no avail. Not even one fair interview has been provided in the mainstream to give them a voice. Why is that? What are they truly afraid of? Independent thought?

The fact is, no one can claim anything to be 100% misinformed because no one knows everything with 100% certainty. And there have been countless examples throughout history that have shown this fact to be true. And so, as evidence rolls in, facts must change. But when they don’t change or, even worse, the new information is denied and suppressed without being given its due consideration, well then, people start thinking there is something deeper going on. The very suppression of information and opinion is what makes people suspicious in the first place.

In this age of information it is embarrassing to call something misinformed without truly understanding or explaining why, especially when there is so much evidence to the contrary. And it is grossly irresponsible for those leading the public to refuse to do their due diligence, to deny the full extent of resources they have available, to instantaneously reject expert opinions that differ from their own, and to abuse their authority in order to discourage, and even disallow, people to have an open and honest debate.

This is not democratic, it is not scientific, and it definitely is not ethical.