It is the opinion of many Social and Behavioral scientists that a vast majority of people form important life, political, philosophical, and spiritual opinions based on what’s trending on blogs, Reddit, social media, and what’s espoused by Hollywood celebrities and other media personalities.

I think to myself, “Surely that can’t be the case. People must still read the deep writings and arguments of long ago. People can’t be so deluded that they come to an opinion based upon such frivolous whims as trends on tech blogs and Twitter and the rantings of people who couldn’t think their way out of a wet paper bag. Surely the average person knows how to critically think. Surely the average person knows how—in the Information Age—to verify statements made by others with researched facts. Surely people don’t pride themselves on their lofty opinions without actually being able to articulate the nuance of their persuasions. These studies must be wrong—surely our world isn’t that bad.

And then I walk into Wal-mart.

We're doomed.