There have been many valid points made on this thread
One which I was just thinking about has just been mentioned by Harper in respect of 'reacting'.
I think this is a really important point. When we read information its all too easy to see the drama of it, or that it in some other way resonates - or does not - with your worldview. It's easy to then 'react to it, rather than taking a step back and 'considering' it from a few angles. Even if it means stepping back from the worldview that you hold.
The '30-day' UK thing is a case in point. That would have been so easy to react to, but if you stopped, took a step back and then applied a little reasoning, the flaws became very apparent.