Witness Evidence

[bennyboy]

So we have to see it for ourselves?   And then we have to trust that our observations are accurate... correct?

You are focused too much on the mode of communication, and not enough on the social context. If I believe you, you don't need to provide anything other than a comment. If I do not believe you, then you have to establish that you are believable-- something that is very hard, indeed-- or provide evidence that is very hard to disbelieve.

This is the thing. . . there's no golden standard for the PROVIDER of information. It is the receiver who must be convinced who gets to set the standard.