Parrots are just as bad as Sheep

By Kirsten Laaspere on  2020-07-01

We often hear “don’t be a sheep” meaning don’t follow the herd blindly. And I agree that it’s important to choose your own path through an informed decision versus allowing yourself to be led. But I want to call attention to another animal we may want to avoid emulating.

Parrots repeat what they hear from others without true understanding (unless you’re Polonesia from the original Doctor Doolittle, who is smarter than all of us). 

The internet provides us with a wealth of knowledge but it is also full of noise. Especially on social media, while you stay informed by consuming the fire hose of material it is essential to confirm facts before you spread falsehoods. One way to avoid parroting: know your trusted sources. And even then, trust but verify when it comes to something that might be harmful or incendiary.

Misinformation can be extremely dangerous and with an internet as powerful as it has become today, it spreads like wildfire. To paraphrase Smokey the Bear: only YOU can prevent misinformation fires.