Credibility Matters
Credibility Matters
By W. Carroll Johnson, III, PhD
Agronomist & Weed Scientist, Whitetail Institute
Artificial intelligence has been in the spotlight lately, especially after my colleague Dr. Joyce Tredaway shared a story about an AI platform giving dangerously wrong advice on herbicide use in grain sorghum. In that case, following the AI-generated recommendation would have resulted in a completely dead stand of Sorghum Select.
That incident is a reminder of something bigger. AI isn’t the only source capable of giving bad advice. All of us are vulnerable to misinformation, no matter where it comes from, whether it’s a friend, a forum, a search engine, or even someone who sounds knowledgeable.
Below is a true story that illustrates why credibility matters.
A Small Town, a Vegetable Garden, and a Big Mistake
I live in a small town in southern Georgia, right in the middle of a major agricultural region. Agriculture drives our local economy, touching nearly every business and household in some way.
Years ago, a herbicide formulation plant operated in our industrial park. These facilities take herbicide active ingredients from the parent company and formulate them into finished products ready for commercial use.
One day, I received a call from a local resident I didn’t know. His vegetable garden was dead, not struggling, not damaged, but scorched earth. Every crop and every weed had been killed.
The cause? A friend of his, who worked at the herbicide formulation plant, had given him an unidentified “weed killer” and told him it would take care of the weeds in his garden. No product name. No instructions. No guidance. Just a jug of something and misplaced confidence.
The worker was not trained in herbicide science. He was not qualified to give recommendations. Yet he did, and the result was a destroyed garden and a very upset homeowner.
The Real Danger: False Confidence
This story is alarming for several reasons, but one stands out:
Incompetent people often believe they are knowledgeable, and they give advice with absolute confidence.
That misplaced confidence can be costly.
Whether it’s:
- A neighbor offering casual advice
- A stranger on a forum
- A social media “expert”
- Or even a slick, authoritative-sounding AI platform
You cannot assume the information is credible.
Herbicides are powerful tools. Used correctly, they solve problems. Used incorrectly, they create disasters.
Cross-Checking Isn’t Paranoia. It’s Good Stewardship
In today’s world of instant answers, internet searches, social media groups, subject-matter forums, and yes, even artificial intelligence, it is dangerous to assume your source is reliable.
There is nothing wrong with:
- Checking
- Cross-checking
- Asking a qualified expert
- Confirming before you spray
Credibility is not optional. It is essential.
A Message I Share With STEM Teachers and Food Plotters
Every summer, STEM high school teachers in Georgia travel the state for continuing education. Several years ago, I was invited to present a seminar, and this exact topic was part of my message.
Whether you’re a teacher, a farmer, or a food plotter, the principle is the same:
Always proceed with caution. Know your sources. Verify credibility.
Herbicide mistakes are preventable. But preventing them requires discipline and a willingness to question the information you’re given, no matter how confidently it’s delivered.
