Doubting Thomas

The mark of intelligence, at least when an argument is being presented to you, is doubt. Yet, many people, not trained in debate, often agree with arguments that sound plausible, and often, even far less than plausible. For example, Fox presents its "news" by mostly taunting the opposing side and presenting a slanted one-sided approach, meanwhile, hypocritically claiming that they are "fair and balanced", which is done to raise their credibility. It only shows the gullibility of the viewer who is presented with one side can then be told that there is a balanced presentation.

I am listening to a Google video that says that every recent war (since Vietnam) has had news organizations that fall for administration propaganda, on both sides of the political aisle (although it seems interesting that every Republican president has had a major military mission, from the comparatively small invasion of Grenada, to Manuel Noriega and Saddam Hussein in Iraq, in Bush Sr. and Bush Jr).

But even beyond this, there are arguments made, say, by atheists on atheism. Now, I find many of the atheists' arguments far more compelling than those of religious figures, but I realize that in these situations, I don't have a lot of doubt, trying to figure out holes in the argument. I just sympathize with the argument, and let it go at that.

Reddit posters and readers support Obama. Time and again, anti-Hillary articles pop up. These show, amazingly enough, that every candidate has their flaws, and it's the point of most campaigns to smear the opponent, because their own candidate often lacks the kind of strength and integrity to back. And this is the American left making these arguments, which, in my mind, tends to be more far more reasoned than the right.

Ultimately, this lack of doubt is unintelligent, and many people fall for it because it requires research, it requires effort, it requires energy that they are unwilling to expend. They want other people to convince them of a view, and be swayed by simplistic arguments (if you can even call it an argument, because often it's a taunting of opponents, when good arguments are found wanting).

These days, many people can do their own research. Google allows people to search for any product they want to buy and find some snippet of information to make decisions. As today's children become tomorrow's adults, will those adults be savvy enough to find other outlets of information. Until Fox came about, Republicans sent email finding news or opinions that weren't being reflected in the news media, until there was a bright-eyed entrepreneur who saw opportunity in a network that would trumpet one-sided approach all the time.

Are people ready to do their own research? Are people ready to doubt?