Critical thinking (it should be a daily habit)

There is a plethora of misinformation that is proliferated throughout the internet. These often salacious stories are rapidly forwarded via media such as email or SMS text. They range from true stories that have been inadvertently altered, due to being retold, to outright hoaxes. Long before the advent of digital communications, perverted truths and fabricated tales have always been able to spread rapidly. Our nearly instantaneous methods of communication can practically transform an individual's fantasy into an empirical fact overnight. This clearly points to the importance of critical thinking and analysis.

It is incumbent upon us as individuals to weigh every aspect of a valid story, tale or hoax. A valid story may remain open to interpretation. A tall tale or hoax may yet contain a kernel of truth within it, or it could simply be an outright mendacity. The next time your senses are shocked by an incredulous email, text, etcetera, make a search to prove whether or not it has any validity. Once you have more information about the story you can then make an informed and intelligent decision about its total authenticity.