We’ve all heard it. Perhaps you’ve been the one to say it? At any rate, if you’ve spent any time on social media I’m sure you’ve seen someone say that or have said it to someone. Sometimes it’s hard not to; depending on what activity online you’re engaging in.

It’s often used during a discussion on a thread. Where someone is attempting to show evidence of something, explain something, or give insight into something. It can be offered as a sincere request to gain knowledge, or it can be used as a dismissal. Often its paired with a sense of superiority or being “in the know“. They know something and you don’t; so do your research. 

But what does that actually mean?

Most of the people I have encountered online that have used that phrase haven’t actually done their research; and haven’t the slightest idea how to. Which is funny to me, ’cause how to do their research is easily googled, here. That being said, I get it. With the spread of misinformation nowadays and Fake News, most people are legit scoobied as to what they’re reading and hearing.

Politicians and media outlets use various phrases, tag lines, words for emphasis, that sometimes become slogans, or catch phrases, that are parrotted and chanted. It’s a form of Sales and Marketing. Which is why I think certain words and phrases stand out to me when I read or hear something. I’ve been directly involved in sales and marketing for close to thirty years. I’m well aware of numerous ways to market and sell a product; to influence a target market.

So when I’m reading something or listening to something, I naturally gravitate to the Sales aspect of it; and I ask myself: What is being said to me? Why is it being said to me? Who is saying it? Is it credible; is it true? I ask myself those questions because the answer to them often let’s me know if they are attempting to influence me.

Words are a big deal. Maybe they just stand out to me because of me doing stuff like this; writing. I am constantly googling the definitions of words. Some I think I know the definitions of, some I don’t, but I check anyway. Because whatever word it may be, I want to make sure I’m using it correctly; and comprehension is a thing. You may understand the meaning of a word, but not be using it properly in a sentence. This is one way in which politicians and speakers lead/direct an audience to a thought process or conclusion that they want the people they’re speaking to arrive at. It’s a manipulation technique; one that many people fall prey to. So you can do your research, but unless you’re looking for the pitch of whatever it is you’re reading or hearing, you’re probably not going to see it.

“Facts” aren’t designed to influence; they just will, naturally. IF the research conducted verifies the accuracy of them.

So the next time someone tells you to do your research, and you’ve looked up the sources, you’ve verified the peer reviewed studies, you’ve checked the credibility from multiple sources, etc….Stop and consider the pitch. How are they trying to make you feel? What emotions are they appealing to? Are they making an appeal to their Authority? Are they attempting to prompt a response from you? Are they claiming a Morality? What kind of words are they using and why? Do you truly understand the words? If not, look them up.

…That way, when we choose to call each other Fascists, Dictators, White Supremacists, etc and claim that we’re inciting violence for an insurrection, it may be closer to being accurate and not a blatant: LIE (Designed to influence and manipulate you).

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