The Corrosion of Informational Integrity: Human Indolence, Human Immorality, Human Stupidity.

Greetings. Facts; not beliefs, nor opinions, and sure as hell not alternative facts.

The advancement of knowledge and of our collective understanding of the universe is dependent on facts, objective information that allows for insightful inquiries into the mysteries of the natural world that surrounds our species. Thanks to the herculean efforts of scientists and public intellectuals around the world, our species has taken a few tentative steps forward on the exacting pathway towards understanding.

The effort is difficult enough to undertake on its own merit without the introduction of toxic, inaccurate, and misleading information, content that has become more and more prevalent as time has moved forward. Who and what is to blame for this situation? The blame lies squarely at our feet. Inaccurate information is taken and accepted as valid. Disinformation and misinformation is devoured as if we were all about to starve from rampant malnutrition. Fake news is embraced by the blind, the willing, and the sheep of the human race. Shame on us!

"Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passion, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence." John Adams (1735-1826)

The human race has begun to firmly hold widespread beliefs in concepts that are not grounded in reality, and are totally void of any supportive proof or falsifiable evidence. A recent poll uncovered an embarrassing statistical fact; that among 2,200 people polled, approximately 25% either did not believe, or were unaware that the Earth orbits the Sun. What a complete embarrassment! Shame on us!

This wrapping of arms around lies, inaccuracies, and alternative facts has resulted, in the words of the late Carl Sagan, in a "dumbing down" of humanity. Unfortunately, Dr. Sagan was quite correct, and will continue to be proven correct as long as we stay on the road we are traveling down, the road to intellectual ruin. To make matters worse, we are to blame for the current state of affairs. No outside influences have made today's sitch a reality, for we have accomplished it all by ourselves. Shame on us!

"Every man has a right to his opinion, but no man has a right to be wrong in his facts." Bernard M. Baruch (1870-1965)

Perhaps no aspect of today's sitch is as troubling or disconcerting as the various ways that personal standards of responsibility and foundations of morality are being eroded. How? Consider that people who believe lies, inaccuracies, and alternative facts are voters, doctors, engineers, and legitimately elected public servants. Regardless of personal belief structures or ideological/political affiliations, the current situation has to be distressing. Facts are being ignored. Science is being downplayed, or worse yet, pushed back against in an organized manner. It is a mess, and we are to blame. Shame on us!

"A virgin can conceive. A dead body can walk again. Your leprosy can be cured. The blind can see. Nonsense. It’s not moral to lie to children. It’s not moral to lie to ignorant, uneducated people and tell them that if they only would believe nonsense, they can be saved. It’s immoral." Christopher Hitchens (1949-2011)

Facts are facts. Accuracy is essential, and the consideration of all quality information, no matter the point of view, or whether or not it strengthens or own beliefs or positions, cannot be taken for granted or not undertaken. Collectively, we have the power to change the sitch. If we don't make a course correction, then the future is indeed bleak. 

Thank you for your time and consideration.