What is a Fact? Facts are objective statements that can be proven true or false using evidence, data, or observation. For example:
- “Unemployment rose by 2% last quarter” (verifiable with official statistics).
- “The Earth’s average temperature increased by 1.1°C since the 19th century” (supported by scientific data).
What is an Opinion? Opinions are subjective statements based on personal beliefs, interpretations, or preferences that cannot be universally proven. For example:
- “The economy is doomed” (a judgment, not a measurable truth).
- “Climate change is the most urgent issue today” (depends on personal priorities).
The Factualness Spectrum
Not all content is purely factual or purely opinion-based. It often falls somewhere in between. Here is a table that explains the spectrum with examples
| Content Type | Description | Example | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Fact-based | Raw data or events with no interpretation | The stock market dropped 500 points today. | Straightforward information |
| Fact-Based with Interpretation | Facts plus some analysis | The stock market dropped 500 points, likely due to investor concerns about inflation. | Understanding implications (if evidence-based) |
| Mix of Facts and Opinions | Facts alongside personal views | The stock market dropped 500 points, and I think the government should step in. | Engaging content (requires filtering opinions) |
| Opinion-Based with Some Facts | Mostly personal takes with occasional data | The government must act because the market dropped 500 points. | Perspective, not deep learning |
| Purely Opinion-Based | No factual grounding | The economy is a disaster, trust me. | Entertainment, not information |
The point of writing all this is to remember that every piece of information we consume (which eventually builds our mental models) needs to be graded on this factualness spectrum. The lefter the better. By prioritizing fact-based content, we can build mental models grounded in reality, reducing the risk of being swayed by biased unverified opinions