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In days gone by, whenever I witnessed people around me being driven into a frenzy by a claim or counterclaim, I would be the one found attempting to check the facts.

When presented with a set of images, I would be there running them through a reverse image search to determine if they really were what they purported to be.

When presented with information, I would be found deploying a multilingual search to probe the story behind the story. Never would I accept a narrative at face value.

In doing so, I had an idea that I was getting closer to the truth: that I was doing due diligence rather than being co-opted into supporting an unjust cause.

But in recent times, that enthusiasm for verifying the facts has waned. Not because I think the task any less important. No, but because I now doubt my ability to reliably determine what is true or false.

My approach nowadays is far more likely to be to reserve judgement one way or the other. Or to withdraw and simply refuse to get involved. To leave alone, if possible, what does not concern me.

The truth is, at times I doubt my own reason and intellect. Especially when I see the majority of people adopting a different stance. In most cases, we can only arrive at potential, partial or contingent truths. God alone knows what is really true.

In the past, I was that irritating person who always insisted on checking everything. Now? I suppose I seek refuge in my insignificance and recognise that in most cases, it really doesn’t matter what I determine to be true or false.

Therefore, if it’s important to my life, I will probe and investigate. If not, then I will reserve judgement and refuse to take a stance either way. Better to withdraw than to incorrectly determine a lie true or the truth false.

Today I recognise that I am often wrong and generally know nothing at all. Mostly I just perceive an understanding of the world. Indeed, the more I learn the more I realise just how ignorant I am. Better to admit that than claim to know all truth.