I think that's a good point about validating data because anymore you can't even count on that. It's getting harder and harder to know what is accurate and what is spun or just all together false.
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Even if we "validate" data, if so possible, it's still up for interpretation by ourselves, biased. And our interpretation is based on our experience, which is also based on other data, reaching back further and further.
As most of us do not have the capabilities to background-check everything, the most logical response for me is reviewing contradictory interpretation of the same data, apply my personal common sense, and find some accuracy in the middle. And even that is biased.
I agree with you. People seem to be incapable of thinking for themselves, unless they feel they have perfect data. That is impossible. So, what they need to do is start living their life by building their own sense of the world, rather than relying on others to tell them how they are meant to live.
I think that's a fair way to do it. Even though I may not agree with other points of view, I try to at least understand them so I can form an educated opinion.