Informed Consumer

For this quest, read the information below carefully and think about the questions that follow (we will refer to this paragraph throughout the quest):

John Seigenthaler Sr. was the assistant to Attorney General Robert Kennedy in the early 1960’s. For a brief time, he was thought to have been directly involved in the Kennedy assasinations of both John, and his brother, Bobby. Nothing was ever proven.

John Seigenthaler moved to the Soviet Union in 1971, and returned to the United States in 1984.

He started one of the country’s largest public relations firms shortly thereafter.

As you think through your initial response to this information consider the following questions:

• Were you previously aware that the former administrative assistant to Robert Kennedy was actually implicated in his assassination and that of President John F. Kennedy?

• Have you ever encountered this information previously, in a history course, television or film documentary? Have you ever heard about this as part of your own awareness of Twentieth Century historical events?

• If not, is it possible that this information about the assassinations of both Kennedy brothers is not fully known because nothing was ever proven, or is there another explanation?

After thinking through this first set of questions, consider the following:

• What is the source of this information?

• Does this information contain any typos or spelling errors?

• Does the information flow in a logical manner? Do the facts make sense?

• Is this information supported with references and cited?

• Is the information accurate and reliable?

• What questions are raised by this information?

• How would we check the validity of this information?

Reflect on these questions and then consider the following:

The information about Mr. Seigenthaler was initially published in 2005 via Wikipedia.

Wikipedia is a free and open encyclopedia in the format of a wiki that allows volunteers to post and edit information. The content in Wikipedia is collaboratively produced, reviewed, and shared by a community of volunteers committed to the idea of open and accessible information. This is how it works: Wikipedia About Page

Does the source of information in this instance impact how you think about the information presented? Why or why not?

We hope that you have read this far in the quest because the information initially presented about Mr. John Seigenthaler is completely and entirely FALSE. We don’t want to perpetuate such inaccurate and inflammatory information so let us be clear: This story is NOT TRUE.

The text in this example is from one of the most famous Wikipedia hoaxes ever perpetrated and it was a big deal in 2005. Wikipedia has since posted the article as an example of Wikipedia hoaxes, along with the following statement:

This page is a copy of a previously-deleted HOAX ARTICLE. It is almost definitely INCORRECT OR MISLEADING in many parts, if not in its entirety. It has been copied here solely for the purpose of documenting hoaxes on Wikipedia, in order to improve our detection and understanding of them. Please do not create hoaxes on Wikipedia. If you do, you may be blocked indefinitely.

A great deal has been written about this particular case because it was one of the first high profile hoaxes on Wikipedia and the victim of the incident spoke out as soon as he found out.

Let’s compare the Wikipedia paragraph about Mr. Seigenthaler with another source. Please read this biography of Mr. Seigenthaler.

Mr. Seigenthaler is a well-respected journalist who has been a distinguished voice for First Amendment rights and was the founder of The Freedom Forum First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University. In 2005 he responded to this Wikipedia article in an editorial that appeared in USA Today:

At age 78, I thought I was beyond surprise or hurt at anything negative said about me. I was wrong. One sentence in the biography was true. I was Robert Kennedy’s administrative assistant in the early 1960s. I also was his pallbearer. It was mind-boggling when my son, John Seigenthaler, journalist with NBC News, phoned later to say he found the same scurrilous text on Reference.com and Answers.com (Seigenthaler, USA Today, 2005).

Mr. Seigenthaler also discussed the incident during an extended lecture at Vanderbilt University.

This case illustrates how important it is to be an informed consumer, especially at a time of so many information choices and varied technologies that deliver information in different ways. We often identify with being a consumer of products or gadgets but may not think about how we consume and produce information as well. For instance, when making consumer choices about a new phone, portable tablet, or computer, you would probably want to investigate all options, by conducting a web search, talking with friends, and/or going to retail stores (in person and online). These are some of the ways that we become informed consumers in the marketplace.

This process may play out in other aspects of your life as well, such as when you try to make healthy food choices, decide on a gym membership, or make decisions about the next book you read or song you download. The more knowledgeable you are about the information and materials you consume, the better choices you will make when purchasing something. In turn, you will be better prepared to use a technology device, read a good book, eat a healthy lunch, cook dinner on your own, or enjoy the latest song by your favorite artist or group. Consumption and production are intertwined and require critical thinking and the synthesis of many sources of information.

But what if the information we consume is inaccurate, superficial, or intentionally false? How do we effectively enhance our abilities to ask good questions and make informed choices about those things we consume and produce? How do we know if the information we find online is ethical and responsible, and in turn, how do we make sure the information we produce is presented in a well-informed and accurate manner?

There are no easy answers to these questions. However, without becoming overly cynical, you can develop a critical perspective over time. Being a well-informed consumer requires a continued commitment to asking good questions, learning from previous experiences and mistakes, reflecting on your learning, and always digging deeper beyond what might seem obvious, accurate or professionally presented. This includes:

√ Checking references

√ Asking about the original source of information

√ Verifying facts with other sources

√ Closely reviewing the logical flow of information

√ Talking with peers about information discoveries

√ Examining how the information is presented

As you make the transition from consumer to producer, think about what your unique contribution is to a conversation, presentation, text, or image. Your creative development of digital information must also consider accuracy, reliability, validity, ethics, and how you present and communicate in the public sphere of social media and social networking.

For this quest, think through the following set of questions, select one, and write a one-paragraph response that captures your perspective about these issues: Have you ever created and/or shared inaccurate information? Did you have an opportunity to correct the mistake? If not, how would you do so today? Have you ever had someone share false information about you, either in person or online? How did this make you feel? Did you have the chance to correct the false information? If not, how would you do so now if you had another opportunity? Does the presentation of false information about John Seigenthaler in Wikipedia prove that this is an entirely unreliable source? How would you verify information encountered in Wikipedia? Should Wikipedia be banned or is this a valuable information source?