| p>I learned long ago, you don't have to believe | | | | skepticism and sound negative thinking. If you don't |
| everything you hear. I thank my dad for that lesson. | | | | do your due diligence, you're setting yourself up for |
| Whenever you asked him a straight question, you | | | | disaster. Here are my three 'L's to follow when you |
| rarely got a straight answer. He would just respond | | | | think someone is spouting odd facts or a rumor: |
| with some of the weirdest things. | | | | 1. Listen to what they're actually saying. Is the BS |
| He made up answers up just to see how you would | | | | meter going off in your head? That's always your |
| react. | | | | first clue. If someone tells you something that you |
| One time, when I was six or so, we drove to Florida. | | | | feel is just wrong, ask them to repeat it. Sometimes |
| Somewhere near Georgia I saw these long strips on | | | | they 'hear' their own delusional ideas and will change |
| the side of the road. I asked my dad what they | | | | the information accordingly. People talk faster than |
| were. They were actually strips of blown tires, but | | | | they think. If given a chance to think things over |
| my dad told me they were 'alligator skins.' He would | | | | they can then get the actual information they |
| scientifically explain, "See an alligator's base core | | | | intended to get out. |
| temperature is 78 degrees and when it gets hotter | | | | 2.Learn more about where they got their information. |
| than that it just peels a layer off and settles back | | | | Ask direct questions. Sometimes the 'facts' they |
| into the swamp to cool off." | | | | heard are really rumors. When I hear the |
| Ok. At six years old and at 60 miles an hour, you'll | | | | "uh...um...someone I know" without the actual name, I |
| believe that. On the other hand, this is the same man | | | | know its baloney. Then you can... |
| who told me yellow snow was lemon flavored. Trust | | | | 3.Look up their source and verify on your own with |
| me, it's not even close. When we finally made it to | | | | others. Always get an independent verification of any |
| Florida, we got to the hotel, he told me the light on | | | | suspect info. It might still be wrong, but at least you |
| the phone (you know the one that tells you 'you | | | | won't be the only one repeating it. Go to the source, |
| have a message') was for deaf people. Another | | | | cut through the BS and find the truth. |
| simple explanation from my dad, "You see, when the | | | | I can't tell you not to gossip at the office, |
| phone rings, the light blinks and they know when to | | | | information is important in the workplace and you |
| answer it." | | | | need to know what's going on behind the scenes. |
| What?!? | | | | However, you should be cautious, don't just |
| If they can't hear the phone ring, who are they | | | | regurgitate rumors to the next person. Rumors feed |
| talking to?? | | | | off speculation. The less you know about a rumor, |
| Intentionally or not, by doing this, my dad did teach | | | | the more it can spin wildly out of control and grow. |
| me a valuable lesson. 'Never take anything at face | | | | You already know it's okay to be skeptical. If |
| value.' | | | | someone walks up to you and says something that |
| Contrary to popular belief, it's okay to be skeptical. | | | | sounds outrageously wrong (we have all worked with |
| I'm sure most Nigerian princes are wonderful people | | | | someone like this), it's okay to politely nod your head |
| with generous hearts. Just not the one that emailed | | | | and still not believe them. The key is to go verify. |
| you yesterday. You're not going to strike it rich | | | | Like good journalists are supposed to do, check your |
| stuffing envelopes in your spare time. You can't win a | | | | sources. Get a second person, or sometimes a third |
| lottery you didn't enter or even know about. And | | | | person, to verify information. |
| you can't lose weight without dieting or exercise. As | | | | Rumors can be hurtful, incorrect and fun to talk |
| David Letterman once said, "That just leaves disease, | | | | about. All at the same time! But try not to indulge |
| doesn't it?" | | | | your inner gossipmonger. It only leads to trouble. |
| The old adage 'If it sounds too good to be true, it | | | | I'm sure your skeptical about this whole article now |
| probably is' is a perfect example of healthy | | | | aren't you? If you are, then it's working! |