ROOM FOR RUMOUR

“Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance.”- G. B. Shaw

Wednesday, July 22, 2009 will see the occurrence of the longest total solar eclipse of this century, which will not be surpassed in duration until June 13, 2132. A total solar eclipse is a spectacular natural phenomenon and many enthusiasts have already embarked on travel to locations where it is best visible. An airline has even discovered business opportunity by announcing a flight to view the eclipse from the sky.

While the hype of the historical event has been in the public domain for a long time, a latest rumour has found greater attention. An e-mail doing the rounds warns coastal Asia of a tsunami triggered by the eclipse. Although mainstream scientists and media have already rejected this hypothesis, the rumour is swiftly gaining attention worldwide as an electronic chain letter. Doomsday prophets are going berserk with their unscientific predictions.

A day of joy will now be a day of worry for the gullible. Our minds have room for rumour at the cost of critical thinking. While we are slow to apply our minds, we show urgency in giving credibility to a rumour. We easily acquire the irresponsible habit to forward information without verifying its authenticity. It is ironical that people who receive e-rumours do not use the same internet to verify its authenticity.

Albert Einstein said it so well: “Information is not knowledge”. We must learn to sift facts from non-facts in the information we receive. We must be careful to ensure that non-factual rumours do not eclipse the real truth. To be better at escaping the stranglehold of rumours, we must develop the spirit of inquiry and investigation.

No room for rumour, but lots for critical inquiring...
That’s the way to BE BETTER at effective thinking!

- Pravin K. Sabnis