2010+Unspun+Chapter+8+Precis+and+Powerpoint+8

Good sources are not always correct, so we need to double and crosscheck information to prevent making grave errors. For example creationists believed Clarence Darrow, the lawyer for John Scopes, to be an ally because of a quote that was incorrectly attributed to him. The supposed quote was "bigotry for public schools to only teach one theory of origins." Creationists said it was bigotry to only teach evolution. The quote was traced back to a book called //Creator in the Courtroom: "Scopes II"// by a creationist author who attributed the quote to the Scopes Trials. Then further traced to a magazine article in //Science and Scripture published// by a creationist named Griggs. Grigg's had no source and never his writing to be taken as a quote but rather paraphrased from a preacher he heard in Denver. Although Darrow used the word bigotry often in the trial there is no proof he ever said the quote. Still some unreasonable Creationists and intelligent design advocates continue to use the bogus quote. How an incorrect quote can be so widespread is difficult to assertain, perhaps people fall into the trap of "believing what they want to believe." There are 10 rules that are followed at FactCheck.org. It is difficult to be absolutely certain of anything because the truth is often subjective or circumstantial. Even scientific laws are merely theories that are hypothetical and are subject to being proven incorrect. Everyone craves absolute truth however perfect knowledge is seldom achievable because of constant influxes of new information but the question remains how certain are we? In the practical reality choosing the right standard of proof, is neccessary to have a proper degree of certainty. In our lives we must pick an appropriate standard of proof for particular circumstances, in most situations be as certain as you need to be. Some facts are accepted by all sides, however consensus is not proof, On occasion lone dissenters are correct. We must always be alert to this possibility. Miscommunication happens and because of this we must compare with primary sources. It is unnecessary to trace every fact back to its source, however we must be aware of secondary source's accuracy. Numbers are not always accurate representations of facts, when listening to numbers we must consider what is being counted or being left out. Definitions of what is being counted and choosing what to count can be bewildering. Numerical flimflams have been prevalent throughout history and are contemporarily utilized as well. It's important to know who is making the claim. You should know whether they have something to gain when they say it. Also the actual name of the organization that is being cited, is not related to how credible they are. The only credible sources are ones that are neutral. This does not mean that claims made by invested parties are always not credible, just that you should remain skeptical. Just because a "majority" of people believe something does not make it. Also you own memory is not the most reliable source. People often remember things incorrectly or at least skewed to their own self-interests Never accept one source as fact if you can. Also all sources are not equal. Consider whether the claim is made as sworn testimony, a confession against one's own interest, or is in their interests. Consider the reputation of the auther, the transparency of the claim (is it possible to analyze their data differently), consider the precision of the claim (or if it is just a guess), and last the convergence og the claim with other claims made over the same topic by different sources. cynics are just as bad as the naive because they will NEVER accept facts, regardless of who makes it. It is important to question results and sources, but there is a point where you can not question it anymore. It is important to be open minded, but also to accept that some opinions are right, and that you are wrong.
 * Precis**
 * 1: You Cannot Be Completely Certain
 * 2: You Can Be Certain Enough
 * 3: Look For General Agreement Among Experts
 * 4: Check Primary Sources
 * 5: Know What Counts
 * 1) 6 Know who's talking.
 * 1) 7 Seeing shouldn't necessarily be believing
 * 1) 8 Cross-Check everything
 * 1) 9 Be skeptical not cynical

Jackson, Brooks, and Kathleen Hall Jamieson. “Was Clarence Darrow a Creationists.” //Unspun: Finding Facts in a World of Disinformation//. Illus. Signe Wilkinson. New York: Random, 2007. 83-101. Print.