Posted by Leonard Steinberg on Januaryt 16, 2011

Ashlee Dupree, Elliot Spitzer’s fling-thing gives relationship advice in the New York Post.

Reverend Al Sharpton speaks on MEET THE PRESS these days about keeping civil tones in political discussion.

Reality TV shows show us the ‘reality’ of life in all its forms from fashion to cooking to real estate: is J-Lo really a great talent scout? Is Iman an authority on fashion design? Is “Selling New York” really about what it takes to sell real estate in New York?

Sarah Palin speaks of FAMILY VALUES while her daughter is impregnated out of wedlock.

Barbara Corcoran tells us all about real estate on NBC, yet has only sold one or two apartments in her entire career and has not done so in over 2 decades.

Not only are we being flooded with information, but the quality of the information is often coming from sources we should all question. I think the turning point is approaching, if it has not already arrived, where us as the recipients of all this information rise up in anger at the mediocre qualifications of those spewing advice. Yes some of it is well researched (I think lots of Barbara Corcoran’s advice is good) and some of it is accurate, but how are we to determine this when so much of it is unreliable and simply bad?

From a real estate perspective, I am astounded at the inaccuracy of some of the information I receive. Often the sources are highly regarded, and by the very virtue of their status, they are considered believable. Bankers tell me what the market in Manhattan wants. Editors who write a story, call for quotes: if the quotes don’t fit their story, do they re-write the story? No! They look for someone who will fit the bill. Websites generalize and summarize and make sweeping, conclusive statements that are often inaccurate. But if you read or hear about it on CNN, FOX or the New York Times, should you believe it?

In an age where style trumps substance, where celebrity trumps ability, we should proceed with great caution.