Thread by @BritishPodcast

I've been thinking a lot about propaganda lately because the sad truth is that we are all vulnerable to it. That's why it's so dangerous.

That's gotten me thinking about ways to avoid it in my life, and I'm wondering if my research rules might apply. 1/9

- Don't rely on headlines. Headlines can be wildly deceiving. Don't assume that it is a fact, or even reflected in the article. And I know we're all busy, but if you don't have time to read an article then don't share it. Not even if you really like how the headline sounds. 2/9

- Check your sources. Experts are a thing. If you want the best possible information, and you should, then make sure you carefully select where your information comes from. Do they have a proven track record of reliability? 3/9

- Check where your sources get their information from. This is critical. If an important statement is being made, it will be sourced. Actually check it. Does it say what they claim? And obviously, if the statement isn't sourced be VERY careful because it might be bullshit. 4/9

- Be careful of duplication. Sometimes a statement will get quoted by other articles as if it were a fact, when in actual fact it's just the author taking that previous statement on faith.

Quotation marks are not magic. If you can't check the source, don't take it on faith. 5/9

- Know the context of a statement. If you're watching a heavily edited video, or reading a short quote without any of the surrounding conversation, know that someone might be trying to manipulate you by only showing you what they want you to see. 6/9

- Just because something is repeated a lot doesn't make it fact. Sometimes statements get repeated in article after article, many times with the authors citing each other.

That doesn't mean that it's sourced on fact. Check where that information came from originally. 7/9

- Be extra careful if you're reading something that you agree with. This is where propaganda is at its most powerful. You will always be skeptical of things you don't like. But if your mother tells you that you're her favorite, are you really going to question her? 8/9

- Know, down to your core, that you are vulnerable to propaganda and have likely already shared it at least once.

Let me say this again...

YOU ARE NOT IMMUNE TO PROPAGANDA NO MATTER HOW SMART YOU ARE 9/9