To some extent, we need to rely on people or channels that we trust.

My expertise is broad and shallow, and where it is deep, it takes a lot of work.

I know enough science that I roll my eyes at headlines that tout FTL travel with wormholes, scientists are amazed, black holes were created in the laboratory, and other wishful thinking.

Getting my information through more trustworthy channels is helpful, but right now, malicious forces in my own government and media sphere that wants to pollute information with misinformation, and destroy trustworthiness where we used to expect are making it hard for me to have confidence that I can do this in the future.

It is much easier to burn things down than to build or rebuild.

At this point, the best I can do is filter out the most distrusted stuff, and stay skeptical about everything else.