On Learning and The Information Environment

While reading Letters from a Stoic by Seneca, specifically the chapter on learning wisdom in old age, I came across the following passage:

“You should keep learning as long as you are ignorant—even to the end of your life, if there is anything in the proverb. And the proverb suits the present case as well as any: ‘As long as you live, keep learning how to live.’”

That last part—”As long as you live, keep learning how to live”—hit home big time.

I have always considered myself a lifelong learner. I firmly believe that we should never stop pursuing knowledge, especially if we want to improve our lives and the lives of those around us.

This is especially important in today’s world, where we are constantly bombarded with information—both good and bad. Knowing which information is important and factual, and which is just misinformation trying to pull the population into the conspiracy theory spin cycle, is key—particularly when we need to make decisions based on what’s happening in our country and around the world. Decisions like whom to vote for need to be informed ones.

As we continue to watch events unfold around us, it’s critical to get our information from multiple, reliable sources. Relying on just one source—whether it leans left or right—is not enough and will not help us make the right decisions.

In my opinion, news sources on the far left or far right are not helpful. Personally, I try to stick with sources that lean center-left or center-right to get a more balanced sense of what’s going on. I always double-check the information I’m reading because, in today’s media environment, ratings drive the news—and high ratings mean big money for those outlets.

I recently read a piece on LinkedIn by General (Retired) Scott Miller, published on March 18, 2025. General Miller was my commander in Afghanistan, and I always enjoyed listening to his morning updates. Even when my attendance wasn’t required, I would join in because it was a great learning experience, and his analyses were excellent.

Here’s what he wrote: 

“The information environment—‘still moves very fast’ and of late it is prodigious. Unfortunately it’s not always filled with facts. That’s always been a condition across the globe, but due to the speed in which ideas can develop and take hold it’s important that those interested, realize they are always in a competition for facts.  I’ve written about this topic before, perhaps on a more micro level, but the competition for the info space is quite real, and it’s energized. 

I recognize that depending where you sit, the pace, scope and type of information coming out is on one side, driving high levels of approval or on the other side drives a high level of anxiety.  On different social media sites, I’ve watched long time friends and family split over the information that’s proliferating across different media, which I wish would not happen. 

But I’ll try to keep this out of an approval/disapproval conversation and focus on what I’m observing—actually a very focused and somewhat disciplined information campaign that is meant to hold the high ground, and it is definitely rapid fire.   It deals in big headlines, involves dedicated amplifiers,  draws comments from self-organizing groups and then gets shared multiple times and becomes what is know as ‘going viral’.  It either reinforces beliefs, or changes minds.  

The real question is how to compete, but perhaps more importantly how to organize to compete. This matters—I often refer to the completely crazy narrative the Tb advanced, first correctly claiming that they killed a key Police Cdr in Oct 2018 (Abdul Raziq), then almost simultaneously advanced the idea that US forces were responsible for his death—it strained credibility, but it worked and turned susceptible Afghan Forces against the coalition and resulted in Afghan Service Members killing 2 members of coalition.  It took us awhile to dig out here, and to be fair we were way too slow.  

How to deal with this energized information space?—we almost certainly are not going to slow it down, but we can strive for —’fact filled’ conversations and definitely challenge ‘fact free’ conversations. But I would go beyond the standard ‘fact checks’ that almost appear sterile today, currently favored by Main Stream Media, and actually do your own research and then add the narrative because the story matters.  

For the discerning citizen, how do you judge the veracity of information? My principal advice there is go to multiple sources of information and don’t allow any device to curate your information, otherwise you’re at risk at living in an echo chamber.  In some cases it’s just a matter of asking ‘good questions’, rather than having an immediate allergic reaction.  For me personally, a ‘meme’, no matter how appealing does not make me want to jump ‘all in’.  But I would recommend that people deal in ‘facts’—then keep an open mind.”

I really like what he said about devices, and I think he is also referring to social media platforms such as Facebook, X/Twitter, Truth Social, and YouTube, just to name a few. All of them are programmed to learn everything about you and to feed you more content on the particular topic you’re reading, turning it into an echo chamber. 

My recommendation is to stay informed and keep learning, but always double-check your sources—even the books you’re reading. I once started reading 1421: The Year China Discovered America, a book written by Gavin Menzies, but I soon realized it sounded like pseudohistory. I did a little research and quickly confirmed my assumption. So, check and double-check your sources, even if they appear reputable.  

54 thoughts on “On Learning and The Information Environment”

  1. I agree Edward – education from the cradle to the grave.
    There is so much misinformation and disinformation on social media so it’s vital to fact check and to ask the right questions. Time consuming too! It’s a minefield isn’t it?! Thank you for your important reminder.

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  2. I agree with Mary. I like to filter my information with blogger friends like you as the conduits. I find that FB info is so often wrong. In the media I am noticing a lot of news falling through the cracks of late. The huge campaign to mail the President postcards mid-March got no press at all, despite a lot of participation. When protests are happening in all 50 states, it’s difficult to find photos of more than the local one.

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    1. Thank you, Rebecca. I definitely don’t trust any of the social media platforms. They suppress information to cater to their financial interests. I agree with you about the Hands Off protests and other significant events. The news outlets chose to focus on the tariffs, which get everyone excited, instead of reporting the rest of the news. Investigative journalism in this country continues its downward spiral. It’s all about making money now, not informing the population.

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  4. Of course, Seneca’s quote resonates with me and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts about credible information and your General’s piece on the distribution of information.

    Your post made me think of an article I read recently, referencing the digital age. Particularly, this: “It’s a relentless onslaught of low-quality, uninformed content, which has contributed to our always-on culture as our smartphones continually buzz with updates and notifications.” ~an excerpt from the magazine, Slow Living-Live Better Not Faster.

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    1. Excellent excerpt, Michele. I used to see that all the time and it’s one of the reasons I stopped watching the news. Now, I’m very selective, and my notifications are off except for a couple of apps I’ve configured to push specific news and weather updates. I do have to keep an eye on severe weather and tornadoes around here.

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      1. Thank you, Edward. I am glad the share resonated with you. I am doing my best to tune back in after tuning out during the pandemic. I don’t have that magazine with me right now, but it mentioned a news source I will be checking out. I will let you know, if it is worth sharing. Weather checks are important. 👍🏻

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  6. This is such a great article you wrote, Edward. The Stoics were definitely the types to keep cooler, more thoughtful heads when the world around them was on fire. So much of what they wrote has clearly been valuable throughout time. You chose a great quote from Letters from a Stoic by Seneca: “As long as you live, keep learning how to live”. Lots of folks seem to have given up trying to learn anything on their own, they wait for their chosen leader to tell them what to think. The end. Nothing new, different, or truthful can be gained when a person focuses on only one source of information – whether it’s one person, one party, or one news source. Without choosing to learn and to look deeper, we aren’t aware of all the facts and variables for certain issues. “Now what is more foolish than refusing to learn”
    I also liked General Miller’s advice to have “’fact filled’ conversations and definitely challenge ‘fact free’ conversations.” And ask “‘good questions’” rather than react.

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    1. Thank you, Rose. Your comment reminded me of another observation by Seneca, and it’s actually right after the quote I shared. He wrote: “But I am ashamed of mankind, as often as I enter the lecture hall. On my way to the house of Metronax I am compelled to go, as you know, right past the Neapolitan Theatre. The building is jammed; men are deciding, with tremendous zeal, who is entitled to be called a good flute player; even the Greek piper and the herald draw their crowd. But in the other place, where the question discussed is: ‘What is a good man?’ and the lesson which we learn is ‘How to be a good man,’ very few are in attendance.”

      I guess that’s part of our human nature. Some people are willing to keep learning, and others just want to be entertained

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  7. What do you recommend for “right center”? Or are you comfortable sharing that? I am guilty of letting Google curate my news because Google news is easy. I think I will stop doing that and stick with npr news plus something center right.

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    1. I’ve been reading The Wall Street Journal (a bit right of center). The Economist, (which I read also) is definitely a left of center publication. NPR is a good option, and I think the Associated Press falls within the same spectrum as NPR. I have alerts for Associated Press and my local news station.

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  8. Oh yes, I agree! I learn something new everyday, yesterday I learned that a baby puffin is called a puffling. I was looking at my photography of Iceland and had taken many photos of the puffins nesting but didn’t see the babies. So, it got me going down a rabbit hole for a while! Learning is important and any age.

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  10. Big fan of Seneca’s proverb “As long as you live, keep learning how to live,” for I too see myself as a student of life. And in life, the power of discernment is a great badge to wear. Being able to see through the fog of information in a world constantly bombarded by truth and deceit is a great asset. Love your personal strategy, Edward, and the strategy of General Miller. Stepping out of the social mainstream, double-checking information, and still using discernment is life-saving at this time. It not only keeps you on the track of knowledge and learning but also keeps your inner peace. Both are priceless in life, no matter the circumstances, but especially in intense and tough times. Great post, my friend! Profound and insightful, eye-opening as well. In gratitude and appreciation, sending you light and blessings 🙏✨

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  11. Thanks Edward for these very important words. We live in a world full of misinformation. We need to check the sources when reading especially the news. As for Seneca’s words, spot on!

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  12. It’s tricky isn’t it – and I think it will get harder as the information loop gets tighter and more and more self-referential (thanks to the post-truth / ai world we’re moving into) – I remember having a similar experience to you, reading a book about indigenous farming in Australia, and I had an uneasy feeling about it for a long time, until I too looked it up and realized it was heavily rejected by academics (but not all)… sigh… check and check again as you say – but stay curious! Linda xx

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    1. Absolutely! I’m actually finding that AI is useful for searching for sources—especially when using the “reason” or deep search option. Even web browsers with embedded AI are doing that. It’s just interesting.

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  17. Good reminders from you and your retired commanding officer. It is very easy to fall into echo chambers, false narratives, and more. I try to check multiple sources, but even still I don’t really trust the media since I read about 90% of the media is controlled by 6 major companies.

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    1. Thank you, Brad, and you are absolutely right. Even The Economist (center left), which I read every day, has a lot of bias. I like their section called “Letters”—I love reading the letters from readers challenging the content. Very useful.

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  18. Such a timely and helpful post, Edward. I love your encouragement for us to think about the news and messages we are getting, not just react. I can see why you’d tune in for General Miller – good counsel and well said!

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    2. Very, very good advice, Edward. Sadly, these days that is a very tall order. Too many people are convinced that their source is right and the others are wrong. And that current reality is being milked for all it’s worth. 🥲

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      1. I know, it’s a little crazy. I’ve been reading three or four different sources just to get somewhere close to the truth. It’s a bit frustrating because it seems that investigative journalism is no longer a priority.

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