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In the 'Remarkable People' podcast, host Guy Kawasaki engages with Mike Caulfield, a research scientist at the University of Washington's Center For an Informed Public, to discuss the challenges of online misinformation and the importance of digital literacy. Caulfield, known for developing the 'SIFT' method, underscores the need for critical thinking and verification of online content, emphasizing that the goal is to assess the accuracy of one's initial impression rather than the truthfulness of the content itself. He advocates using Wikipedia as a starting point for verifying sources, noting its improved reliability due to systems that flag unsourced changes. Caulfield also addresses the limitations of large language models (LLMs) like GPT, which can produce 'hallucinations' or factual inaccuracies, and stresses that they should be used with caution, especially by novices. The conversation also touches on the potential existential threat to Wikipedia posed by LLMs, the need for a symbiotic relationship between the two, and the importance of educating users on when to use each resource. Caulfield and Kawasaki discuss the evolving use of LLMs for obtaining information, with Caulfield pointing out the need for a business model that supports the creation of summaries without exploitation. They explore the reliability of information, with Caulfield emphasizing the value of human-written sources and the distinction between 'cheap' and 'expensive' signals of credibility. Caulfield cautions against deceptive tactics used to make websites appear credible and urges people to consider the difficulty of faking certain aspects of credibility. The discussion extends to Twitter's community notes feature, Facebook's decision to limit COVID-related content, and the challenges of finding reliable information on social media platforms. Caulfield provides practical advice on using Google's search engine effectively, including the use of 'bare keywords' for fact-checking and understanding the tools available for assessing online content. He also delves into the intricacies of assessing the credibility of academic works and journals, suggesting a broader view of scientific consensus. Finally, Caulfield advocates for 'critical ignoring' and the intentional selection of information, encouraging individuals to take back their agency in navigating the truth. Kawasaki concludes by praising Caulfield's work and expressing hope that critical information literacy skills will be taught in schools.
In the 'Remarkable People' podcast, host Guy Kawasaki engages with Mike Caulfield, a research scient