What is Truth...?

Johnathan Richman wrote recently about the lack of truth in news releases on the "Dose of Digital.com" website (see: http://www.doseofdigital.com/2011/04/lies-pharma-social-media-statistics/). Very well done piece that breaks down all of the assumptions and misrepresentation that goes into reporting about most of everything that goes on in the world. It is really difficult (as Mr. Richman points out) to get to the facts, rather than the hyperbole. Reminds me of the tag line from the old T.V. show Dragnet..."just the facts, Sir."

We live in the age of sound bites, political spin, and of incredible amounts of information that bombard us moment to moment. We find that people will access information constantly on their I-devices or Blackberry's or Android's and believe themselves to be knowledgeable or even wise. However, there is a long road from information to knowledge to wisdom. With hard work and a healthy bit of skepticism, information can transform into knowledge - but only if the information is valid (true) to begin with. With informed experience and insight, knowledge can become wisdom.

Faulty or flawed information leads to faulty conclusions, etc. One only has to look at the travesty of the research study which purported direct link from vaccination to autism to see the harm done to public health worldwide over the last decade. We have lost the ability to truly vet information so that once something is published in a peer-reviewed major medical journal, it is considered true - even if it doesn't fit into our communal experience. Once it appears on the nightly news and on the Twitter/Blogosphere, then it is really next to impossible to contradict.

What is truth? How do we get back to the facts instead of all of the opinions - many of which are from less than optimally informed but well-meaning people? My experience with anything is valid for me alone. I need to temper my opinions therefore, and not speak as if I have the answers to all questions based on my "n=1". My experience as an ICU pharmacist and practitioner over the last 25 years carries a lot more weight based on the tens of thousands of persons cared for and observed over that time - but it is still my interpretation of the experiences that takes that information and knowledge and transforms it into wisdom.

Our spiritual experiences can help us to evaluate truth based on our belief doctrines. How we evaluate the world and our place in it needs to be tempered with an understanding that we are all in this life together. Our health, wellness and wholeness are dependent upon finding truths that work for the whole of humanity not just the wealthiest people or countries or societies. We are called to care for the least and the lost - this is an over arching truth that we ignore to our own detriment.

So this week, search for the facts behind the sound bite. Look for the people who are shining the light instead of stoking the fire. The truth is not found in the earthquake but in the silence and the whisper.

Peace,
Dan