Learn how to evaluate information.

The tendency to seek, interpret, and remember information that confirms what we already believe.

• Notice when a source feels 'obviously right' — that comfort can signal a blind spot.
• Actively look for the strongest version of the opposing argument.
• Ask what evidence would change your mind, then go looking for it.

Judging how likely or important something is based on how easily examples come to mind.

• Vivid, recent, or emotional stories feel more common than they statistically are.
• Prefer base rates and datasets over memorable anecdotes.
• Ask: is this representative, or just memorable?

Environments where you mostly encounter information that reinforces your existing views.

• Diversify your sources across the credibility and perspective spectrum.
• Recommendation feeds optimize for engagement, not for balance.
• Periodically read high-quality sources you tend to disagree with.

Not all evidence is equal — some methods support stronger conclusions than others.

• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses sit near the top for many questions.
• Anecdotes and single observations sit near the bottom.
• Match the strength of the claim to the strength of the evidence.

Evaluating whether a source has the structure and accountability to be trusted.

• Check authorship, dates, affiliations, and corrections policies.
• Independent, primary sources are stronger than circular secondary ones.
• Reliability is about process and transparency — not agreement with you.

Leaving a page to check what other independent sources say about it.

• Open new tabs to verify the publisher and the claims elsewhere.
• Fact-checkers read laterally; novices read vertically (staying on the page).
• Triangulate across several independent, credible sources.