My Own Credibility
>> Friday, August 27, 2010
In short, he or she wanted to know where I get my information. Let me preface my answer by saying as I have in my "About" page that I am just a regular Joe - a nerd dad who wants his family, and everyone, to be healthy. I'm contemplating and probably will start taking nutrition classes so that I can be of even more use to people in regards to health, but that will take some time. I'm just researching schools right now (and am open to any suggestions, too!)
Some of the things I write here are pure opinion; they're my reaction to things I read in books or online, see in movies or in the news, and so forth. I definitely get some things wrong. For example, I'm torn between the idea of having a food police (like a strong FDA) versus allowing manufacturers to make any kind of unhealthy product they feel like (such as hydrogenated oils). I'm still leaning on the side of freedom on that subject, but that's for a different time.
Most other times, however, when I'm writing an article here I put in a good bit of research looking around for verification of the things I find. It takes a really long time to write a single article because of this. When I do find this verification, I will almost always provide a link to it in order to prove my due diligence. For resources, I look to company websites for official information, Wikipedia for general leads and ideas, resource sites like Cosmetics Database for ingredient facts, and I'll even email or talk to those more studied than I for actual quotes, etc.
So to make a long answer short: I try. I try to be a good source of reliable information. If I make a mistake, I'll be sure to point it out and apologize. What else can be expected of anyone?
2 comments:
This is a great post to put out there so people know that we as bloggers aren't trying to get them to DO this or that, we're just putting the information out there so they don't blindly follow what anyone tells them. I always ask my readers not to take my word for whatever they read, because there is too much I don't know! Instead I hope they let it be the starting point to research something more and find out for themselves what is best for them.
Thank you, Kelly and Alix! I'm not too bothered by it, even though the statement does have a very accusatory (trollish) attitude. I realize that a lot of the information put out by most real foodies is going to be pretty hard to swallow (no pun intended). It certainly would be bliss (at least in the short term!) to remain ignorant about the food industry. I understand how at first glance it seems easier and cheaper to trust the major manufacturers.
To others coming along reading these comments: I really want to push home the point that it's out of real concern for others' health that I choose to share this information; Eventually, knowledge of how our food is made needs to be extremely widespread because that will eventually come back to create a better marketplace for my family as well. Thus helping everyone indirectly helps me. :)
Thanks for the tip about Bridgeport, Alix! I'm adding it to my short list about schools. Prior to this I had two others that I was interested in; University of Natural Health and the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (however the latter seems to be a little too pushy for my tastes)
-Dan
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