Trusting Sources

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 How are we ever going to be able to unite on solving problems if we can’t agree on sources to use?

Several times in the past few years I’ve been asked to share my opinion on topics I’ve researched. This has ranged from healthcare, to mental health prevalence, to racial disparity, and now COVID. I’m willing to put in the time and read a lot of source material to form an opinion. I don’t really go with my gut. I chase information and roll it over and over until I have a new opinion.

Because I’ve put in that effort I’m often asked about my opinion, often by people who haven’t taken the same amount of time. I try to preface any discussion of this nature by disclosing it’s my interpretation of data I’ve studied, and this is my conclusion. I’ve discovered a troubling trend when I’ve done this. If the conclusion doesn’t fit the questioner’s paradigm, then all of the data used to form the conclusion becomes suspect. That we can’t trust the collectors of data, or there are ulterior motives and conspiracies involved.

I don’t know how to bridge that divide. I don’t. And it truly worries me when it comes to discussing problems in the future. If we can’t use the data or have it be the starting point, what is the place to start? What is the common ground? 

When we trust talking heads of either stripe more than primary sources, will we ever come together again?

I’m honestly unsure how to move forward from here. Do a anyone have an idea. 

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