My question is, how does an average person identify and recognize the truth vs. propaganda when you are trying to learn about certain topics? Does it require countless hours investigating, verifying, and recording facts? If so, one would only have the time to choose a handful of topics due to limited time, so their learning and perspective would not be well-rounded which carries its own flaws.
What spurred this question:
living in the U.S, continuous headlines about evil doings of China are pushed on us. Perhaps China is good, perhaps China is bad, perhaps the U.S is actually the bad, or perhaps world order is far too complicated to pinhole into one bad versus good. Regardless, it’s a topic of interest that is difficult to untangle.
When studying WWII, one of the ways Winston Churchill was able to get a jump on his British colleagues (and other world leaders) on the dangers of Hitler, was by reading Hitler’s own book, Mein Kampf, and by studying Hitler’s movements (I gained this insight from reading Churchill’s Last Lion biography series. It may be true, it may not be. I’m taking the word of the biographer). I then read Mein Kampf myself, and yes, Hitler laid out his brilliant but dangerous thinking very clearly within that text.
Considering points 1 and 2, how would one go about studying China and/or the U.S and identify their dangers without getting trapped by disinformation/propaganda/spin? The same line of thinking can also be applied to many other topics of interest throughout current day and history.
I ask this sub because studying history helps understand how we got to where we are today, which helps better understand current events and positioning of international affairs.
THIS IS MY OWN PERSONAL TOOLS FOR THE QUESTION. PUT INTO PRACTICE AND USED BY MYSELF, THERE IS NO RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE IN THIS SUBJECT. JUST RESEARCH TECHNIQUES.
In getting my own degree (general history) source analysis became a major part of research. In trying to work out which sources were accurate or unbiased, my advisor pointed me towards a series of questions to ask about your sources as you are reading them and researching information. Since then I have adapted it for everything in research and current events.
First question is "who wrote the information?". This has to come first, because people skew to their own biases and prejudices, that can skew otherwise good information. Looking at the person's own beliefs and prejudices that can come across in the source, or whether the writer is known for rising above their own personal opinions and biases.
Second question is in two parts,"why was the source written? And if it was requested/ordered who requested it?". These questions ask the background of the source, was it the author that wanted to write it or were they commissioned. If it was commissioned why? Was it commissioned to prove a point, meaning it may have a very narrow focus and may suffer from missing information or overlooked information in order to keep the point on track. Was it commissioned for an argument, meaning it is part of a bigger engagement of issues or subjects that have major differing opinions. Either of these sources in question just give where the author may have had to focus the paper or whether it covers all of the information or just a targeted remark.
Third question is "what are the sources this sources uses and are they used accurately?". Simply, can you easily verify the sources it uses or quotes? If you can verify them are they being used reasonably and accurately? If it is a 'no' to any of these thoughts then is the source worth your research or time?
Fourth question is "who is the source written for?". Not who commissioned the source, but who is the targeted audience? Was it written for general people learning about the subject? So the source provides general information for the curious. Was it written for someone heavily studying the subject? So the source is full of in depth information and research. Was it written for a particular opinion set or to enforce an idea or following? These are the sources that cater to the opinions of some individuals, and are focused on only the information that proves or validates the point whether accurate, paraphrased, or inaccurate.
The last question to ask is "will this source help in my understanding or research?" Thankfully the easiest question. If yes, continue reading and enjoy. If no, move on to something else better suited to your research or in understanding current events.
Note these are not always 100% accurate, it takes being able to do a little extra research and digging to be thorough.