Information is all around us; we can seek out specific information or have it passively fed to us through a variety of media outlets. Information should be measured by its value, usefulness and ultimately, who it is coming from (is it a trusted source without any ties to Multinational Corporations (i.e. Monsanto), or industries, like the pharmaceutical industry, or the Dairy Industry), whether it is useful (will it benefit the reader or the person it is coming from?) and whether it is the truth (simple, honest, truth with no ulterior motives tied to profit from its use). Keeping these three questions in mind will help you determine if the information you are receiving has any potential “Value” to your happiness or well-being. According to The Oxford Dictionary, the definition of Value is, “The regard that something is held to deserve; the importance, worth, or usefulness of something; The material or monetary worth of something; The worth of something compared to the price paid or asked for it.” Depending on how you perceive a particular type of information, you will unconsciously place a personal value upon it; and hopefully, it will be one that will benefit you and your family’s well-being.
Remember to ask yourself these questions.
- Is the information coming from a legitimate source that is verifiable and backed up by quality or peer-reviewed research?
- Ask yourself who was the research funded by? Who will benefit from this research?
- And lastly, is there any ulterior motives for providing this information to the public?
If you get use to asking these questions, you will begin to empower yourself, your family, and your friends.