I think local papers are an under-appreciated and under-used resource for people to get their ideas across. But one severe shortcoming they expose is that many people–many many people– some of the very people writing for these papers, don’t seem to know the difference between a good source of information and a bad one.

The Sherbrooke Record, a regional paper in the Eastern Townships, has contained a number of articles against genetically engineered (GE) foods where most of the information comes from two books, Seeds of Deception and Genetic Roulette, written by one Jeffrey Smith. Smith had interesting careers in both swing dancing and yogic flying (he apparently thinks he can fly) before attempting to become a biotechnology expert. I say attempting, not because a swing dancing instructor can’t be a good source of information (credentials help but are not absolutely necessary), but because he makes brutal mistakes in his books demonstrating that he knows next to nothing about genetics and biology. And yet people choose to get their information from places like this. Why? Why does it seem there’s a huge number of people out there who don’t seem to know the basics about how to look for information? How many debates could be resolved or at least would be less polarized if we could agree about what good sources of information look like?

That’s why, my next article will focus on distinguishing good sources of information from bad. The columnist behind the anti-GE food articles is by no means the only person to make these kinds of bad choices when it comes to choosing sources, we’re all tempted to gravitate toward sources that confirm what we already think. But good researchers and writers find ways around these natural biases. Personally, when I take a side in a debate, I spend my time reading more about the side I disagree with, trying to find something to change my mind.

I’d be interested to know a little more about how other people decide what makes a good sources and what makes a bad source. How do you go about looking for information on the internet? I’d love to hear from anyone who has some ideas or tips on this issue: jeremy@radarlake.com