markdown&verified intro-ch3

Hello! I live!

This post is going to be more casual. For the first half, I would like to focus on what stood out to me in the intro through chapter 3 of verified. I really enjoyed the subtle focus on “instant gratification.” The internet is created so we, the consumers, are able to get information as fast as possible and with as little effort as possible. Because of this, as soon as anythings takes even five seconds longer than it usually does, consumers start getting inconveincied. If something isn’t “instant,” we either look at ways to improve (upgrading service, purchasing subscription) or go another route entirely. Internet users/product consumers are conditioned from a young age to not “wait” for anything. When you always have everything you could want at your fingertips, why wait for anything? All these things are why I like the “quick and easy” approad Caulfield and Wineburg take to their fact checking approaches. If you can’t beat them, join them!

The next part in Verified that really stood out to me was a section where the ease at which information gets ingested by consumers can be misconstrued. Even if they don’t mean to, people on the internet can adopt a very “me-first” mindset. Consuming oh-so much information a day can really get people wondering what they “believe.” People will take information they see and align it with their pre-existing values and beliefs, and if it doesn’t match up, they will decide it is false.

The second thing that I wanted to touch on is Markdown! I really enjoy Markdown; I enjoy the ease at which you are able to will formatting into existence. In a way, using Markdown almost seems easier than pressing the “B” button for bold. Having all edits be tied to the keyboard (when most humans who are working with Markdown have extensive typing abilities) seems like a cheat code.