I hadn't heard of this until yesterday.
But I think it helps illustrate an issue we face as we navigate the world today.
In 2002, Michael Crichton describes it as a phenomenon where a person reads a news article on a subject they know well, identifies significant errors or misunderstandings, yet continues to trust the same media outlet for information on other topics.
This the idea that we can read something we just know is wrong and then move onto something else from the same source potentially believing other things they report to be true, sometimes because they match our expectations.
I heard it described as something similar to "wet streets cause rain"*.
Why am I mentioning this?
The presenter in the video says "the deeper problem is that we are remarkably good at noticing the lies in the narrow corner of the world where we have direct knowledge. And we're remarkably bad at remembering when we turn the page what we just noticed."
If you want to navigate life well in this period of history I think it unfortunately right to be a little skeptical of the traditional sources of truth, news and information.
In the democratised media space we now live in, where media has thrown off all best practice, balance and process, you simply can't always trust what you read, what you see and what you hear.
I would encourage healthy skepticism.
I would encourage self ownership of study and the ensuing understanding it can bring.
As it has been said, the truth can set you free. The kicker is you need the truth!
Digging out truth for yourself today takes intentionality.
It takes considered analysis, sometimes creating deep anguish if the truth is not the truth you hoped to discover. But it is worth it, to discover truth and engage in freedom.
Can I encourage you today to think about your approach to discovering truth?
Yes it might make you uncomfortable for a time, but better some discomfort than potential deception.
Something to think about...
*Jeremy Boreing YouTube May 2026
