Is Your Favorite Source of Information "Trust Me Bro"?

It's something to think about Facebook comments section, right? I can't decide if I should allow unmoderated comments. The world of comments can be so annoying these days. It's one thing if one comments for constructive criticism. However, one could really think about how many comments (even under Anonymous or troll accounts) are just there to derail. News about the Philippines' getting newer reforms such as more foreign direct investments (FDIs) have a lot of stupid comments too. I'm not surprised with comments such as, "It's Duterte's gift to China!" or "Allowing foreign telecommunication companies will risk our security!" When I ask for the sources on Facebook, I tend to get the argument that's as foolish as, "Trust me bro!" A lack of intelligence is one thing. It's another thing to ignore common sense.

This meme makes me laugh at the pyramid of learning. Okay, I have a high school diploma during K+10. I soon had an associate degree in computer science but failed to be accepted in BS Information Technology. Soon, I had a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in business administration. Sadly, it doesn't matter how many degrees people have if their favorite source can be summed up as, "Trust me bro!" That really dismisses almost everything learned from the high school diploma to master's degree. That's why it's easy to say you can have all the doctorates you want and still be a fool. Sometimes, a stupid person might be wise enough to say, "Where's your source? I can't trust your source if it's just saying trust me bro." However, we've got some highly educated people who give their best source as, "Trust me bro!"

It might sound funny but much disinformation can be caused by three words, "Trust me bro." or "Trust me sis." if it's a woman. Regardless, I've read some comments on Youtube (hence why some Youtube videos no longer allow comments). Some comments can go like somebody died from the COVID-19 vaccine and the person was healthy. You might say, "Where's the source?" Then the person says, "Trust me bro! It did happen! You'll never get the facts from anyone but me!"

In research, Trust Me Bro makes a poor source. Any good researcher will get details and not just Trust Me Bro. I've done my thesis and I was required to get good sources. During my MBA days, one of our teachers said that Wikipedia is a spurious source. Anybody can edit Wikipedia! Why would we want a source where it's just Trust Me Bro? Good research requires empirical data. Yet, some people would rather believe in Trust Me Bro because it's easier to do so than to search the data for yourself, right?

That's why it's easy to say "I'm sure of it!" and "Studies show..." when you're wrong. Studies show? Where are the studies? Please point them out! It's very easy to be, "I'm sure that your book was written by an idiot!" in an act of Ad Homiem. When asked, "Where's your evidence? Did you read it?" Then the answer is, "No need to read it. Just trust me bro." If all the studies and evidences are based on Trust Me Bro" then it's nothing but idiocy.

The Spicy Revolution of Sichuan

When I started doing some research on Chinese food, I got curious about the food of Communist Chinese revolutionaries. I guess it's time to cook with Communism. I tasted Yang Hero at Ayala Central Bloc IT Park. The soup sizes were rather huge so I just went for the rice bowl. It was a full house and I got to taste the food of the revolutionaries. I went for a smoked pork belly rice bowl which I believe was one of Chairman Mao's favorite foods. Mao himself had Sichuan braised pork which is spicier than the Filipino version of humba. Humba is derived from hóngshāoròu which the latter is spicier. I was laughing when I read this interesting piece of information about Mao's love for spicy food as written by Otto Braun : The shrewd peasant organizer had a mean, even “spiteful” streak. “For example, for a long time I could not accustom myself to the strongly spiced food, such as hot fried peppers, which is traditional to southern China, especially in Hunan, Mao’s birthplace.” Th...

Ifugao OFWs in Taiwan and Discovering More About One's Common Austronesian Roots

I was doing some research on Taiwan finding out that the natives are indeed Austronesians . It seems that Indonesians and Malaysians may have also settled in Taiwan aside from the Philippines. A look at Mt. Alishan and Banaue Rice Terraces have a similarity. Taiwan has its famous tea terraces. Banaue has its famous rice terraces. Both are cultural heritages that must be preserved! I soon found an article which Ifugao OFWs in Taiwan. Not surprisingly, these Ifugao OFWs can point out several things that are pretty similar. An article called " A Gotad Picnic With Ifugaos Living in Taiwan " would tell of Armand Camhol, an Ifugao OFW, who met with other Ifugaos in Taiwan. Gotad is a thanksgiving festival for the Ifugaos. The News Lens International Edition What was noted by Armand at the end of the article is: The people of Ifugao value hospitality, and as a symbol of friendship, they shared their holiday with their invited guests, who, in return, sang, joined the dances, and made...

Don't Fear Martial Law, Only Fear It Can Be Misused and Abused

Today is September 21 and it's often remembered as the dark era of history. It's because the late Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr. declared martial law. Some people demonize martial law without knowing what it means. Even worse, some people who demonize martial law also say that the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is "the best in the world". What they don't realize is that martial law can be done, when required, such as when former Philippine president, Atty. Rodrigo R. Duterte declared it during the Marawi siege. Also, martial law is part of the provisions of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines : Section 18 . The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of...

Martial Law Under the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines

September 21 paints a grim picture, especially for what's often called the martial law victims. I remember panicking back when I was 11 years old. It was possible that the late Fidel V. Ramos may declare martial law at any time. However, researching the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines can help. It can help Filipinos determine what needs to be revised to fit the current times. Article VII Section 18 says the following about martial law: SECTION 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the p...

Today in History: Hanoi's Liberation Day

Vietnam Times October 10 is mostly associated with Double 10 in Taiwan. However, Communism has its celebration with Hanoi Liberation Day . I got this information from the Vietnam Times on what the day is all about: Along with the victory of Dien Bien Phu campaign, the Geneva Agreements on armistice in Indochina was signed. After many days of struggling in the Geneva Conference, agreements on transfering Hanoi to the Vietnamese people were finally signed on September 30th and October 2nd 1954 in the United Armistice Center Committee. Following the Resolution on September 17th 1954 of the Government Council, the City Troops Committee of Hanoi was established with General Vuong Thua Vu, the commander of the Pioneer Division, as the Chairman and doctor Tran Duy Hung as the Vice Chairman. The City Troops Committee of Hanoi had the task of taking over and managing the city. The Military Commanders ordered the Vietnamese soldier units to take over the city of Hanoi and abide by the policies ...

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