Snopes.com a trusted fact checker of urban legends did something interesting a while back. They posted some pretty big claims such as Mr. Ed actually being a Zebra.

The Repository Of Lost Legends (TROLL) was what they called. The did expose it, but wanted to point out that while common sense suggests we need to check things, we often don't. We should all be cautious about what we read [snopes.com]

Of course, that assumes one cares about getting things right as opposed to just seeking and agreeing with ideas that support your conclusion (aka confirmation bias).

I don't believe half of the things I see on there. Especially FB.

I trust the news from ABC, NBC, MSNBC, CNN, PBS, Washington Post, NY Times, Huffington Post, and Boston Globe. Nothing else.

Most intelligent and critical thinking people.

It's true it's all true they couldn't post it it wasn't.

It's true it's all true they couldn't post it it wasn't.

Apparently, very few. I'm so exasperated right now I can barely stand it.

I do - as best as I can.

If I can't find a source or verify stuff, it stays put. If it's bullshit I'll call it out - and have been unfriended by some before now for questioning their shares.

How do you know you can trust the fact checkers?

I do. But by the time I'm done that same post will have been shared a few thousand times, probably.