We live in a confusing era. We have over seven billion people in this world, and it seems that they all want to talk. In all those gazillions of words, how do we find the words we need to find? Google, we are told, is the answer (see this post).
If only it were so simple. Google provides uniquely powerful research capabilities. Nonetheless, Google is only a tool. Like any other tool, Google is constrained by the expertise and the diligence of its users. Improperly used, the results of a Google search can be downright misleading.
Such will be the case if you Google “Faisal Gill.” Neither will you get the most accurate nor the most up-to-date information. What you will get is what Google‘s search algorithm arbitrarily determines to be most “relevant.” As the supposedly sentient being using this tool, it is up to YOU, not a computer, to make sense of the data.
At the top of your list of hits, what you will find will be the most popular web pages containing the name “Faisal Gill.” Because Michelle Malkin is a nationally known blog commentator, the hit from Michelle Malkin‘s web site tops the list. Note, however, the date on this web page. Michelle Malkin has dropped the subject of Faisal Gill and gone onto other matters. Wonder why? Then consider consider the dates on the links referenced by these posts (here, and here).
Some people depend upon you to be lazy. They believe you will not do your homework. On that basis they will publish or post whatever nonsense they want you to believe.
And it goes farther than the simple imperfections of a Google search. Unfortunately, you cannot believe what you read until you have done some fact checking. For example, have you visited Wikipedia‘s “Faisal Gill” web page (here)? Looks scary, but the pages on Wikipedia can be edited by anyone. For example, just to amuse themselves I know of medical students who have invented diseases and posted them in Wikipedia.
Wikipedia is convenient and powerful, but no one should trust it without cross-referencing other sources. Just because you find something in print does not mean you have the truth.
The diffusion of inaccurate information complicates democracy. When you participate in political wars, you must be your own general. Even before you begin the fight, there are two things you must do. First you must do your homework and carefully study both the candidates and the issues; you must learn for yourself what each battle is about. Second you must show up at the scene of the conflict fully prepared to brave the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.
On June 2, 2007, Republicans will hold a convention to nomination their candidate for the House of Delegates, 51st District (here). If you are a Republican and that is your district, please be there, but come prepared.
