That's not how you figure out what the consensus is. At best, you may get an idea of what the person speaking believes (or wants you to believe) the consensus is, but researchers always have their own opinions and their own agenda so you can't really rely on talks and articles in the lay press.
To be able to say that you know what the consensus is in any given field the gold standard must be what scientists in that field do: read about 250 papers each year for a few years, speak to as many other researchers as possible and go to a few conferences and workshops, until you really understand were things are and how they are moving along.
I appreciate that's a high standard, but that's the general idea. If you can't do that, then at least be aware of the fact that the opinion you have formed is not terribly informed and you 're not any kind of authority on the matter.
To be able to say that you know what the consensus is in any given field the gold standard must be what scientists in that field do: read about 250 papers each year for a few years, speak to as many other researchers as possible and go to a few conferences and workshops, until you really understand were things are and how they are moving along.
I appreciate that's a high standard, but that's the general idea. If you can't do that, then at least be aware of the fact that the opinion you have formed is not terribly informed and you 're not any kind of authority on the matter.