' " The idea that people are not actually understanding things, but are instead just "believing it", is very troublesome. '
very well put, but the way I see it , its only natural. Some people are way easily convinced than others, they let others do the thinking and researching for them, its been that way for centuries. Sure, the internet has changed this quite a bit, but when the news media organisations with the largest reach
want people to believe something, they can and will get it done with ease. Their reach and credibility is way more influential than individual thinkers/researchers spreading accurate information.
Anyways, you can't expect the average person to verify everything they're being fed by the media, they have neither the time nor incentive to take those efforts. I don't blame them either, they have different priorities.. they just want to eat good food, have sex, do drugs, enjoy music etc . who cares about the truth when you're happy and content with your life?