Trust Me, I Read It Online! Social Media, AI & Finding the Truth

In this episode of Not The Smartest Guys in the Room, Tom Langan and Dominick Domasky are joined by Jason Barajas, Dr. Tachi, and Julie Lokun for a timely conversation about how people consume news in the digital age and why critical thinking has never been more important. From TikTok becoming a primary news source for younger generations to the growing influence of artificial intelligence on journalism and content creation, the discussion explores how technology is reshaping the way information is created, distributed, and trusted.

The conversation examines the evolution of news from radio and television to social media platforms, the difference between reporting facts and sharing opinions, and why verifying sources is essential in an era of misinformation. Tom, Dom, and Jason also discuss media bias, healthy skepticism, AI's strengths and limitations, and practical ways to become a smarter consumer of information without falling into echo chambers.

Whether you're interested in artificial intelligence, digital media, journalism, social media trends, or simply want to sharpen your critical thinking skills, this episode offers historical perspective, thoughtful debate, and practical insights for navigating today's fast-changing information landscape.

Memorable Quotes
• "We all get our news from different sources."
• "Always check your stories for veracity."
• "Sam Altman gets a double thumbs down from me."

Topics Covered
• Digital news consumption and changing media habits
• TikTok as a growing news platform
• Media bias and separating facts from opinions
• Source verification and fact checking
• The history and evolution of journalism
• Artificial intelligence and the future of content creation
• Misinformation and healthy skepticism
• Storytelling, character, and building trust