In Defense of Doing Your Own Research
Why Personal Inquiry Matters in the Information Age
“Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts.” - Richard Feynman
Ours is an era of abundant information, yet confusion reigns supreme. Everywhere we turn, we’re bombarded with advice from experts, institutions, and self-proclaimed authorities, each often presenting conflicting narratives to the other. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, even helpless, when trying to navigate the noise and find reliable sense-making. But what if we took a different approach? What if, instead of relying solely on other voices, we engaged with the information ourselves - what if, like true scientists, we respected no mere authority and chained ourselves to no learned set of facts, but to a rigorous and endlessly iterative method of questioning?
"Blind obedience to authority is the greatest enemy of the truth."
Doing your own research has become a rallying cry in many circles, often dismissed or criticized by those who believe we should defer to experts. But this is more than just a slogan—it is a fundamental shift toward personal empowerment and critical thinking. When we take the time to explore a topic, study it from multiple angles, and evaluate the credibility of sources, we not only gain knowledge but also build the skills to question, challenge, and innovate.
This post isn’t about disregarding expertise or encouraging mistrust. Instead, it’s about reclaiming the role of active inquiry in a world where passive consumption of information has become the norm. By doing your own research, you engage more deeply with the material, tailor your understanding to your unique needs, and make more informed decisions. The ability to question, investigate, and evaluate ideas for ourselves has never been more crucial—and it’s a skill that can lead to both personal growth and societal progress.
Let’s explore why doing your own research matters, how it’s transformed by modern technology, and how you can approach it responsibly to gain the most benefit. Whether you’re seeking to better understand health, science, politics, or even day-to-day decisions, taking research into your own hands is not only valid but essential.
The Erosion of Trust in Experts and Institutions
In recent years, trust in experts and institutions has taken a significant hit. What was once a cornerstone of societal structure—trusting those with specialized knowledge to guide our decisions—has begun to crumble under the weight of scandals, conflicting advice, and the easy accessibility of alternative information sources. Many people have become increasingly skeptical of authority figures, whether they be doctors, scientists, or politicians, and it’s easy to see why.
The erosion of trust didn’t happen overnight. It’s been a slow, steady process driven by a range of factors. Scandals involving major institutions—such as financial misconduct, pharmaceutical cover-ups, or government failures—have shown that even trusted entities can be fallible, corrupt, or motivated by interests that don’t align with the public good. Combine this with rapid technological advancements, which have made it easier than ever to access information, and you have a recipe for widespread skepticism.
The digital age has further fueled this distrust. Social media platforms give everyone a voice, allowing alternative perspectives to flourish. On the one hand, this is empowering. On the other, it can blur the lines between credible research and misinformation. When experts contradict each other or fail to communicate clearly, it leaves space for doubt. And when people feel disconnected from or misled by institutions, they turn to their own research as a form of self-defense—an attempt to reclaim control over decisions that affect their lives.
The COVID-19 pandemic was a prime example of this phenomenon. During the initial stages, public health officials, governments, and the media often gave conflicting or evolving recommendations. What started as a situation of trust in global health authorities became a breeding ground for doubt, conspiracy theories, and alternative interpretations. The more experts contradicted each other or revised their guidance, the more people felt inclined to take research into their own hands.
It’s important to recognize that this erosion of trust isn’t about distrust for the sake of it. Often, it stems from a desire for transparency and consistency. People don’t want to feel like passive recipients of information, especially when that information affects their health, livelihoods, or freedoms. They want to engage, question, and understand—and when institutions fail to offer clarity or accountability, doing your own research becomes a necessary step.
This breakdown of trust in experts and institutions is not necessarily a terrible thing. In fact, it can lead to a more informed and questioning public, one that holds authority figures accountable. However, it also comes with the risk of people falling prey to misinformation or drawing conclusions based on incomplete or faulty evidence. As trust erodes, the challenge becomes finding a balance between healthy skepticism and the dangers of rejecting expertise altogether.
In this landscape, doing your own research is more than just a reaction to mistrust—it’s an opportunity. By engaging with information critically and taking ownership of our understanding, we can become active participants in the quest for truth. But with this power comes responsibility: we must ensure that our pursuit of knowledge is as rigorous as the institutions we’re scrutinizing (or more so).
The Democratization of Information
The internet has ushered in a new age in which information, once confined to universities, libraries, and expert circles, is now readily available to anyone with an internet connection. This democratization of information has fundamentally shifted the power dynamics of knowledge. No longer do we need to rely solely on traditional gatekeepers—whether academic institutions, media outlets, or industry experts—to access data or insights on a given topic. Instead, we have unprecedented autonomy to explore, learn, and form our own conclusions.
Consider this: in a matter of minutes, you can wade into peer-reviewed research on a medical condition, watch a lecture on quantum physics, or follow a live debate on climate policy. What once required years of formal education, credentials, or connections is now accessible to a curious mind with the click of a button. While this unrestricted access can be overwhelming, it also empowers individuals to take control of their learning, pursue their interests, and engage with subjects they might otherwise never have encountered.
This shift has had profound effects on every facet of society. In the health and wellness space, for example, countless people have successfully improved their lives by researching and experimenting with alternative treatments and lifestyle changes. Movements like biohacking, where individuals use data to optimize their biology, have grown out of this democratized knowledge pool. People no longer need to wait for medical advice from gatekeepers when they can explore new treatments themselves, using forums, studies, and anecdotal evidence to guide their choices.
At its core, this democratization levels the playing field. It gives voice to those previously marginalized in academic or professional spaces, allowing them to contribute their unique perspectives and experiences. Online platforms have enabled communities of self-taught experts, enthusiasts, and citizen scientists to collaborate and challenge institutional narratives. What was once a hierarchical structure of knowledge dissemination has become a vibrant ecosystem where anyone can participate.
However, as noted by the great and powerful Stan Lee, “with great power comes great responsibility.” While the availability of information is vast, not all of it is accurate or trustworthy. The internet is home to misinformation, false claims, and agenda-driven content that can be as persuasive as it is incorrect. In this context, doing your own research requires a commitment to critical thinking. It’s essential to sift through the noise, cross-reference sources, and approach information with both an open mind and a healthy dose of skepticism. As much as the democratization of information has opened new avenues for learning, it has also placed a greater burden on individuals to be discerning about the knowledge they choose to accept.
The beauty of this shift is that it empowers experimentation. Gone are the days of learning confined to textbooks or lectures; now, you can evaluate ideas in real time, apply new concepts, and share your findings with a global audience. This era of democratized information isn’t about passively consuming what experts tell you—it's about taking an active role in your own intellectual journey - a journey of challenge, innovation, and creativity.
The Importance of Critical Thinking in the Digital Age
For those of us who have decided to take that journey, critical thinking has become more essential than ever. With the democratization of information comes the challenge of sifting through a sea of data, much of which can be misleading, biased, or outright false. Without a solid foundation in critical thinking, it’s easy to fall prey to misinformation, confirmation bias, and echo chambers that reinforce pre-existing beliefs.
Critical thinking is the skill that allows us to evaluate the credibility of information, question assumptions, and arrive at reasoned conclusions. It’s about going beyond surface-level understanding and asking the right questions:
Who is the source of this information?
What is their agenda?
Is there evidence to support these claims?
In an information ecosystem in which anyone can publish content, these questions are crucial for making informed decisions.
One of the most significant challenges of the digital age is the overwhelming volume of information. We’re constantly bombarded with headlines, social media posts, articles, and videos, all competing for our attention. Without a structured approach to processing this information, it’s easy to become overwhelmed or misled by the sheer quantity of content. Critical thinking acts as a filter, allowing us to prioritize reliable sources and discard the noise.
However, critical thinking is not just about dismissing information that doesn’t align with our beliefs—it’s about engaging with diverse perspectives. In fact, exposing ourselves to opposing viewpoints and being open to challenging our own assumptions is one of the most effective ways to strengthen our thinking. By actively seeking out conflicting evidence and scrutinizing it with the same rigor, we prevent the intellectual stagnation that comes from surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals.
Take, for example, the way social media algorithms work. They are designed to show us content that reinforces our preferences, creating a feedback loop in which we’re only exposed to information that aligns with our worldview. Without critical thinking, we risk being trapped in this bubble, unable to see the broader picture or entertain alternative perspectives. By making a conscious effort to break out of this cycle—whether by diversifying the content we consume or engaging in meaningful discussions with those who hold different opinions—we can sharpen our ability to think independently.
Moreover, the digital age has brought new challenges in the form of deepfakes, manipulated images, and AI-generated content, which make it increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Critical thinking equips us with the tools to analyze the context, question the authenticity of sources, and identify potential red flags. It’s no longer enough to passively consume information; we need to actively engage with it, dissect it, and understand the motivations behind it.
In practice, critical thinking means embracing uncertainty. It’s about being comfortable with not having all the answers immediately and recognizing that learning is an ongoing process. This mindset encourages curiosity, self-experimentation, and a willingness to update our beliefs based on new evidence. The digital age may offer us more information than we’ve ever had, but critical thinking ensures that we navigate this complexity with clarity and confidence.
As we move forward in this information-saturated world, the ability to think critically will not only help us make better decisions but also empower us to challenge the status quo and innovate. Whether we’re evaluating health advice, political discourse, or personal development strategies, applying critical thinking allows us to cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters.