I participated in debate as an early college student. It was really a blast, and it also made some lasting changes in my critical thinking skills. In those pre-computer days, we carried a file box of 4×6 cards to each tournament. It was chock full of quotes from “authorities” on the assigned topic’s proposition for that year. We had carefully gathered these for months from magazines, books, and newspapers. We also carried a pad of yellow paper to make notes and structure arguments. We didn’t know until 5 minutes before the debate whether we would be arguing for or against the proposition. If assigned For, one of us rapidly drafted our initial arguments while the other pulled supporting quotes. If Against we pulled a few quotes, but mostly they came out of the box as we “listened” to the opposing team’s argument, not with the intent to understand but to find holes or weaknesses in their data or logic. In the front of our box were the quotes that could be used either way. By stressing different phrases or ignoring context, these valuable ideas could sound pro or con, and be very convincing. A strategy used by some other teams was to misquote or entirely invent a source (I still think that’s cheating!).

I reflect on debate skills as I read news stories and social media posts. The same event can be slanted and praised or condemned according to the intent of the person commenting on the event. And much of the promoted information is just opinion or rhetoric, not “news” at all. I sometimes amuse (or annoy or disgust) myself by following the same event through several sources and cycles to watch how opinions and context changes as each writer watches the public response to other’s work, and either follows the popular trend or castigates the other’s point of view.

Our hymn #272 with lyrics by John Jacques is right on target when he says “Go search in the depths where it glittering lies, Or ascend in pursuit to the loftiest skies”. Truth is so hard to find in the firehouse flood of information and click-bait we face each day.

As I digest news, I’ve learned to ask why the person or agency is promoting information. There is always a purpose and it may not be obvious or honest. I’ve learned to read about something that seems important from sources with opposing politics, to try to find a glitter of truth in the oceans of opinions. And most importantly, I try to avoid contention so that I can make the Spirit welcome in my heart. Because, “by the power of the Holy Ghost (we) may know the truth of all things.” Moroni 10:5

“Tho the heavens depart and the earth’s fountains burst,
Truth, the sum of existence, will weather the worst,
Eternal, unchanged, evermore.”

~Nita Smith