(Stillness in the Storm Editor) Longtime readers of this site will recognize the emphasis on critical thinking, self-mastery, and holistic discernment. Edward Snowden’s remarks regarding so-called fake news are reflective of someone who acknowledges the core problem we face in the age of deception.
Related Vlog: Holistic vs. Dualistic Discernment, SITS Goals and Philosophy
The solution to disinformation, whether from government propaganda sites and the mainstream media, online trolls, deceptive people, or even those in the alternative media who aren’t adept at fact-checking, is critical thinking. This is because it is a lack of critical thinking—or discernment in general—that allows gullibility to run rampant. Ignorance of the people is the foundation for despotic societies and tyrannical governments. Only when each individual recognizes their inherent right and duty to seek the truth can freedom for all be realized.
Discernment and critical thinking are skills that require practice and refinement. One cannot discern what has been erased from reality via well-intentioned censorship schemes, whether promoted by the government or local level reality filtration, such as schools, Facebook groups, communities, and even in the family environment.
The problem is, we’ve become so dependent on arbiters of truth, our minds have essentially become calcified and have gone unused. Thus, the solution, as Snowden implies, is to do the personal work of enhancing our critical thinking skills. This can’t be done in a sanitized environment. It has to happen in a natural setting. In short, censorship is never helpful for instilling critical thinking and discernment.
If the biological immune system is improved by exposure to pathogens, then the intellectual immune system similarly requires exposure to “toxic” or false ideas. As individuals, we must be proactive in exercising our discernment and critical thinking by exploring the unknown and the uncertain as a child explores their environment. And like any skill, mistakes, folly and missteps are sure to occur. But this is par for the course, an essential part of the learning process—not something to be avoided.
In our result-centric world, we’ve become so focused on being “right” that we forget the benefits of being wrong. A musician can’t improve their skills unless they make an attempt to play new things. In doing so, they reveal their inadequacies and lack of development, providing an experiential basis to focus their attention on areas where improvement is needed.
Similarly, in our desire to know the truth, whether we are avid truth seekers or unaware, we must bravely think about the information we are exposed to, asking ourselves if something is true, and most importantly why. Critical thinking and holistic discernment go beyond a shallow yes or no answer. We must seek to plumb the depths of experience and weave a fabric of fundamental understanding. To one who wields holistic discernment properly, they know whether or not something is true, have a precise understanding as to why, and most importantly, recognize the limits of their own knowledge.
In other words, critical thinking is a dynamic evolution of consciousness, the more we practice it, the better we get at seeing reality for what it is. Ultimately, the more keenly we develop these essential skills, the more immune we become to falsehoods of all types and the more of reality we can perceive directly.
Snowden’s statements should be contemplated fully. And for those of us experiencing the awakening of humanity at this time, we would do well to realize that censorship in any form is not productive. The truther movement is not immune to censorship—it is likely happening within all awakening circles to some degree. There are many who feel disinformation should be ignored and erased, but how can we develop intellectual immunity in such a setting? Instead of trying to avoid lies, disinformation, and half-truths—which is impossible on Earth at this time—we need to bravely think critially and gain knowledge that empowers us to see past the illusions of our world, laying claim to the whole truth in the process. Once done, we no longer need others to tell us what is real; we can see the truth for ourselves. Hence, gaining critical thinking skills is akin to learning how to fish—we are fed for a lifetime instead of only for one meal.
We cannot delegate critical thinking to others, if we do, we downplay our own empowerment and invite more enslavement. Instead, we must become masters of discernment, wherein we do not shy away from the dance floor of truth seeking.
The masters of deception want us to run away in fear and clamor for “saviors” to tell us what is real or not. But the wise realize that the only way out is through.
Critical thinking empowers us to see things for what they are, consequently empowering us to see what they are not—meaning seeing past lies, falsehood and so called fake news.
(Caleb Stephen) In a recent Periscope live stream, NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden discussed the topic of “fake news” as supposedly helping to sway the U.S. presidential election with Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. Snowden said that the solution to “fake news” was not censorship, but rather critical thinking.
Source – We Are Change
by Caleb Stephen, December 22nd 2016
This discussion comes after Facebook announced that it would be partnering with ABC News, Politifact and Snopes to assist with the debunking and labelling of so-called “fake news” stories on their social networking platform.
“The problem of fake news isn’t solved by hoping for a referee but rather because we as participants, we as citizens, we as users of these services help each other,” Snowden said. “The answer to bad speech is not censorship. The answer to bad speech is more speech. We have to exercise and spread the idea that critical thinking matters now more than ever, given the fact that lies seem to be getting very popular.”
Snowden made no mention of whether or not he believed the claims—pushed by the likes of Hillary Clinton and her supporters—that “fake news” had swung the election in Donald Trump’s favor, but rather pointed out the dangers of companies using terms such as “fake news” to censor content with which they disagreed.
Snowden stated that rather than waiting for gatekeepers to define what is and is not “fake news,” people should be encouraged to participate in an open dialogue with one another and point out facts based upon proven data.
You can watch a replay of Snowden’s full interview with Jack Dorsey here.
About The Author
Caleb Stephen
Caleb Stephen is a Christian conservative freelance journalist, columnist, political activist and the founder and Editor-In-Chief of The Caleb Report (www.calebreport.com).
Caleb has written for and has articles published on world-renowned websites including World Net Daily (WND), The Daily Caller, The Huffington Post, Intellihub, Natural News, Before It’s News and Rense.com
He currently serves as an international reporter for WeAreChange.org
_________________________
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammar mistake? Do you think this article needs a correction or update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at [email protected]. Thank you for reading.
Source:
http://wearechange.org/snowden-fake-news-censorship/
Leave a Reply